Mercedes-Benz G-Class specialist Joerg Sand has written the ultimate book on this all-wheel-drive legend, from its design and development to its extraordinary and diverse career up to the present day. Very few automobiles remain as faithful in their character and appearance as the hardcore, all-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz G-Class luxury SUV. Even when it comes to the most recent series, the W 463 A, with its technically profound changes, the designers at Mercedes have barely changed the classic look. And for good reason. From its first year, 1979, the G-Class has always been one of the very few off-road legends. Tourists, firefighters, foresters, race drivers, and boat owners all appreciate the unique qualities of this indestructible force, the "G Wagon," from Graz, Austria.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 224

Dimensions: 229 x 305 mm

Publication Date: 30-11-2021

Long before Western man ‘discovered’ them, the People of the Sea, as many inhabitants of the South Pacific islands called themselves, had a vibrant, socially sophisticated culture in which travel on water played an essential part. For sixty-five years James Wharram has designed, built, and sailed craft of Polynesian double canoe form, demonstrating that the sea, far from being a barrier between the islands, is their highway. The ocean voyages of James and his team culminated in their circumnavigation in the stunning 63ft Spirit of Gaia, during which they explored the lands and cultures of their vessel’s spiritual home — the Polynesian islands. Inspired by the lifetime of creativity and discovery James describes in this book, many modern People of the Sea are sailing the world’s oceans, seas, coasts and rivers in craft they have built for themselves to James Wharram designs. JAMES WHARRAM’s life was changed forever when, in his early twenties, he saw Thor Heyerdahl’s film of the Kon Tiki voyage, and in Manchester Central Library encountered a book on Polynesian double canoe sailing craft. He determined to disprove Heyerdahl’s assertion that Polynesia could have been settled only from South America, and not from south-east Asia, which would require craft more sophisticated than a balsa raft. He has dedicated his working life to demonstrating the seaworthiness, windward ability and practicality of the Polynesian double canoe form, and has probably sailed more sea miles in craft of this pattern — all to his own design - than any other person.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 272

Dimensions: 156 x 216 mm

Publication Date: 10-10-2021

Whether she is to be rowed or sailed independently, or will be the tender to a larger vessel, nothing feels or looks quite like a traditional clinker-built dinghy, 'done right'. And those two words are the key to a boat which will truly grace the water, charm all who use or see her, and maintain her value. In Details of Dinghy Building Will Stirling painstakingly describes and illustrates the many arcane yet vital tasks which can daunt the beginning boatbuilder. Will has been building clinker dinghies professionally for many years and has made, and learned how to avoid, all the mistakes which lie in wait for the unwary. Take advantage of his experience, and some 'tricks of the trade', and draw inspiration from the many mouthwatering photographs of finished boats which punctuate the book. If you're building a boat, this textual guide and photographic reference will pay for itself many times over in the time, frustration and embarrassment it will save you. If you're not, you'll find it a fascinating verbal and visual window into a time-honoured traditional craft.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 192

Dimensions: 216 x 216 mm

Publication Date: 22-10-2021

From the Loft Floor to the Sea is photographer and designer Christian Topf's exhaustive visual and verbal journal of the building of the 68ft Pilot Cutter Pellew, by Luke Powell and his team in Cornwall. This is the largest traditional wooden boat build in the UK for decades - and at 360 large-format colour pages, this is probably the largest and most gorgeous book to illustrate the process. Chris visited the yard at Truro almost every week throughout the build to bring us this mouthwatering production, in which you can almost smell the sawdust, the hot pitch, and the linseed oil.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 360

Dimensions: 215 x 275 mm

Publication Date: 20-10-2021

Trams Still Around New Zealand is true to its title, detailing the existence of 99 trams; 85 New Zealand trams and 14 trams from Australia now resident here. Between the covers the reader will discover that the tramcar in New Zealand is far from a street vehicle of the past. Already the tram has returned to the streets of Auckland and Christchurch. Coverage is given to each of the trams now running within the boundaries of transport museums in New Zealand, those that are in storage but not yet running, with coverage also of trams still used as baches around New Zealand. Each tram portrayed has its history outlined with generous photographic coverage of each tram in original condition, as stored, and finally as restored (if that has occurred). Also featured are the Wellington and Dunedin cable-cars. Wrapping up this most interesting book is a broad coverage of the various tramway societies and groups.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 160

Dimensions: 210 x 280 mm

Publication Date: 20-10-2021

Roots and Wings explores the life and work of Peter Schreyer, one of the most influential car designers of our time. A Renaissance man with an eye for detail and foresight for innovation, he geared himself toward success. Responsible for the births of some of the 20th-century's most iconic cars, his industry experience brought instant classics to the road. From humble beginnings in Germany's divided south to his new base in Seoul, Schreyer embodies a conduit between the west and east--bridging his homeland's history of automotive design with South Korea, a country that has experienced stratospheric growth on the world stage in just a few decades. Looking at the formative moments and pivotal artistic discoveries that shaped his creative mindset, Roots and Wings is the never-before-told story of how a man reimagined a car brand and left a mark on history in the process.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 304

Dimensions: 225 x 290 mm

Publication Date: 29-10-2021

To date there has been a paucity of books on this remarkable aircraft. Among its claims to fame are the following: the only RAF bomber to serve in its original role from first day of war to last, and in every theatre; the first type to bomb Germany; the first type to bomb Berlin; the first type to drop the 4,000lb 'Cookie' bomb; and so on. A serious study is well overdue, drawing not just on official documentation but relying greatly on personal accounts and anecdotes from the veterans who were there, both air and ground crew. And here it is. Through his diligent research over many years, author Steve Bond has produced an outstanding work. His coverage of operations will include, inter alia, the early bombing campaigns, the switch to main force activity, the use of OTU aircraft and crews on operations, the protection of Atlantic and Mediterranean convoys, service with the FAA and the French and the Wellington's continued use as bomber and transport aircraft.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 256

Dimensions: 175 x 246 mm

Publication Date: 31-05-2022

Since he was a child in the 1950s watching Vampires and Meteors operating from RAF Turnhouse, Jim Walls wanted to fly aircraft, he just never envisaged that his flying career would be spent in the back seat as opposed to the front. Jim guides readers through his 40-year RAF career that started as a Boy Entrant at RAF Cosford, then as an air radar tradesman, before specialising as an air electronics operator (AEOp) in the Nimrod MR1, and later as an air electronics officer (AEO) who flew in Nimrod R1s and Vulcan B2s. With detailed insight into the world of radar, electronic countermeasures and signals intelligence, Jim highlights the role they played in warfare for numerous operations during the Cold War as well as the Falklands campaign, First Gulf War and Bosnian War. He also recalls the peacetime role of the Nimrod and Vulcan with stories from his time on 51, 120 and 617 Squadrons. As well as focusing on his career, Jim gives his viewpoint on matters such as Operation Black Buck and the reduced war-fighting capability of the Vulcan as it neared retirement. This fascinating book showcases the vital role that AEOs held and the importance of radar and electronic warfare in the fight against enemy forces. It is also a tribute to the much-loved Cold War icons, the Nimrod and the Vulcan. With photography throughout, mainly from the author's personal collection, this book will appeal to Cold War enthusiasts and fans of the iconic jets of that era.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 192

Dimensions: 156 x 234 mm

Publication Date: 16-05-2022

Throughout the history of the sports car, no marque has epitomized the excitement and passion of driving like Porsche. The Saratoga Automobile Museum, in collaboration with architect Steven Harris, presents 22 of the marque's rarest air and water-cooled cars. This remarkable collection highlights the manufacturer's past seven decades of production--from 356 Carreras and Speedsters, to high-performance RS 911s--all captured in sensational detail by James Lipman, a photographer favored by both manufacturers and various popular publications such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend, and Top Gear. The stunning imagery is accompanied by specifications and history, as well as driving impressions from leading automotive writers Jethro Bovingdon, Andrew English, Andrew Frankel, Richard Meaden, and John Simister. Air & Water combines breathtaking imagery and words to transport the reader on a thrilling journey of being behind the wheel of these ultra-rare machines.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 244

Dimensions: 304 x 203 mm

Publication Date: 23-01-2023

The North American B-25 Mitchell is WWIIs most heralded and versatile medium bomber. Volume 1 (of two) gives the reader a concise illustrated look at the A through D models and follows the bombers genesis from the formation of the North American Company and its early steps toward the development of the NA-40, the first B-25. The continued evolution of the Mitchell from the A, B, C, and finally to the iconic D models is described in vintage photos. The production at the parent Inglewood, California, plant and then the Kansas City plant is illustrated, as are the important modification centres. The last half of the book covers the D model in many colour photos of the interior and exterior, from nose to tail and from wingtip to wingtip. The Wright R-2600 radial engine and Hamilton-Standard propeller are detailed, as are their associated systems. The Mitchells markings and insignia changes are featured throughout.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 112

Dimensions: 229 x 229 mm

Publication Date: 28-06-2022