Category: Books / Calendars / Publications

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RFC in Combat: Rare Archive Images of WW1 Aerial Warfare

Coming soon from Pen & Sword and author Chris Goss is Royal Flying Corps In Combat: Rare Archive Images of Aerial Warfare Over the Western Front in WW1, which showcases an extraordinary collection of photos and stories of downed aircraft from the Western Front.

Each image tells the tale of the aviators behind them. For example, Second Lieutenant Gilbert Insall and Air Mechanic Thomas Donald, after their Vickers FB 5 Gunbus was damaged, made repairs under enemy fire and returned to base. They were shot down again weeks later, but Insall later escaped captivity and received the Victoria Cross. Chris Goss delves into the stories behind the crashes, even identifying enemy pilots who shot down some of the planes. The mysterious case of Second Lieutenant John Holtom’s DH 2, whose body was never recovered, remains unsolved. This book also reveals how many surviving pilots went on to have distinguished careers, including Montagu Chidson, who, after being captured in 1915, later rescued vital diamonds from Amsterdam in 1940 while serving with M.I.9. Royal Flying Corps in Combat is a captivating account of the aircraft, battles, and aviators of the First World War.

The 224 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release set for Feb 28.

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MiG-21 in the Polish Air Force: “An Essential Visual Reference”

Recently released by MMP and author Artur Juszczak is MiG-21 3rd Generation in the Polish Air Force.

The book presents 90 high-quality color profiles of third-generation MiG-21 variants, including the MF, M, and R models used by the Polish Air Force. It is an essential visual reference for aviation enthusiasts, historians, and scale modelers with a focus on accurate camouflage and markings. Additional features include detailed captions with each aircraft’s operational history, close-up views of the pilot’s personal emblems and bilingual English-Polish text.

The 48 page publication is now available in paperback format.

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New Book Explores All WW1 Russian Aircraft Types

New from Aeronaut Books is Russian Aircraft of WWI by noted aviation historian Viktor Kulikov.

The book covers all aircraft of Russian design and all aircraft of foreign design built under license in Russia. It includes more than 600 photos and drawings and scale drawings of 17 aircraft. In addition it has 17 color profiles.

The 422 page book is now available in paperback format.

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New Book Takes You Inside The Top Secret USAF MiG Squadron

Coming soon from Osprey and author Rob Zettel is American MiG Pilot: Inside the Top Secret USAF “Red Eagles” MiG Squadron, which puts readers inside the head of one of America’s most experienced MiG pilots as he tells the thrilling tale of the top-secret US operation that wouldn’t feel out of place in Top Gun.

After finding themselves outflown over Vietnam, the American military launched top-secret Operation Constant Peg, using illicitly obtained Russian Fighters pitted against star US fighter pilots in simulated combat exercises. With controls labelled in Russian and the only spare parts being the ones they could salvage, the pilots who climbed into the MiGs – the Red Eagles – accepted all of the risks associated with operating these aircraft.

This book describes what it was like to be there day in and day out at one of the most access-restricted airfields in the entire USAF, flying MiGs alongside some of the very best fighter pilots hand-picked from the ranks of the USAF, US Navy and US Marine Corps. Rob “Z-Man” Zettel tells the Red Eagles story for the first time through the experiences of a pilot who flew these aircraft to their maximum performance in simulated combat engagements, often several times a day, against frontline fighter pilots of the three US sister services.

Vivid accounts of training engagements put the reader right in the cockpit, while historical photographs help paint the picture of an operation that took the US Air Force from its disappointing performance in the Vietnam War to unprecedented success in Operation Desert Storm.

The 368 page hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release slated for February 12.

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The F-14 and its Final Mission Detailed in Lavishly Illustrated New Book

Coming soon from Osprey and author Tony Holmes is The Last Catfight: The F-14 Tomcat’s final combat cruise, a lavishly illustrated celebration of the much loved workhorse of the US Navy – the F-14 Tomcat – and a unique insight into its crucial final operational tour over the skies of Iraq.

The Last Catfight charts the combat experiences of the US Tomcat crews that took the jet into action during Operation Iraqi Freedom, flying hundreds of missions all over strife-torn Iraq to try to ensure the safety of Coalition troops on the ground. The F-14 units played a key part in protecting the polling stations during two vital government elections held in 2005, and were also in the vanguard of Operation Steel Curtain, when the US Marine Corps went head-to-head with al-Qaeda near the Syria/Iraq border.

Combat accounts from the men and women flying these missions bring the F-14’s exploits to life as Grumman’s last fighter is put through its paces in the world’s most demanding combat environment. Whether conducting convoy patrols, looking for IEDs, chasing insurgents through the streets of Baghdad, destroying bomb-making factories or strafing and bombing enemy strongholds, the Tomcat was never found wanting thanks to the professionalism of the crews and the new technologies debuted by the iconic naval fighter on its very last cruise.

Aviation author and editor Tony Holmes has interviewed the commanding officers, pilots and radar intercept officers, and their first-hand accounts are featured alongside a stunning array of colour photos.

The 320 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release slated for February 12.

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Three Volume Set Examines P-51 Variants in Detail and Scale

Newly released from author Bert Kinzey is P-51 Mustang in Detail & Scale, Part 3: P-51D and Subsequent Variants, the final book in a trilogy of titles covering the P-51 Mustang in the Detail & Scale Series of books. Part 1 provided a look at the early Allison-engined Mustang variants, and Part 2 covered the first of the Merlin-powered versions up through the P-51C. This final part takes a look at the late single-seat Mustang variants from the P-51D and its near twin, the P-51K, through the P-51H.

The book begins with a brief historical summary of the development and operational use of these later versions of the P-51. This is followed by a chapter that is divided into eight sections, each of which takes a closer look at one of the later variants. This includes the fighter variants and the photographic-reconnaissance versions derived from them. But the primary emphasis and focus of each title in the Detail & Scale Series is an extensive look at the details of the aircraft. The Late Mustang Details chapter is divided into two sections: one on the P-51D and P-51K, and a second on the P-51H, which illustrates the differences and similarities of this, the final single-seat Mustang variant to enter production, compared to the more numerous and better-known P-51D and P-51K. In all, the huge details chapter contains more than 150 photographs. These are a combination of scores that were taken specifically for this publication and many vintage photographs from North American’s archives and other sources. As with all books in the Detail & Scale Series, the last section is devoted to scale modelers. It provides a good look at the many kits of these late Mustang variants now available in all the standard modeling scales, as well as some classic older kits.

P-51 Mustang in Detail & Scale, Part 3, has 305 high resolution photographs, 266 of which are in full color, with 16 drawings and seven color profiles.

The 102 page publication is currently available in paperback format and will likely be an indispensable resource for modelers and P-51 enthusiasts.

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History of Fw 190 Jabo Units As Told By First-Hand Accounts, Private Photos

Soon to be released by Osprey Publishing is Malcolm V. Lowe’s Fw 190 Jabo Units in the West (Combat Aircraft, 160), an illustrated study of the Luftwaffe’s iconic Fw 190 Jabo units and their high-speed, low-level attacks on the south coast of England.

The service debut of the Fw 190 in the late summer of 1941 marked a quantum leap in the Luftwaffe’s capability to oppose the RAF on the Channel Front. Conceived to be purely a fighter, the type soon revealed its potential as a Jabo fighter-bomber, and the manner in which it was used matured from the ad hoc style of its early operations to highly effective ‘hit-and-run’ coastal raids. This progress was aided both by frequent refinements from Focke-Wulf and the development of sub-types designed specifically for air-to-ground operations, equipping the Fw 190 to deliver useful munitions loads and also to look after itself when meeting British fighter interception.

This engaging study sees Luftwaffe historian Malcolm V. Lowe chart the action-packed history of the Fw 190 Jabo force on the Channel Front. Following the aircraft from its origins to its successful strikes on valued targets on England’s south coast and eventual combat during D-Day, the text complements first-hand accounts from both Luftwaffe pilots and their RAF opponents with photographs from private archives and 24 specially commissioned profile artworks.

The 96 page publication is currently available for pre-order in paperpack and Kindle editions with release slated for February 24.

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Beaufighter vs German Flak Ships: An Illustrated History

On the way from Osprey Publishing and author Matthew Willis is Beaufighter vs German Flak Ships: North Sea and Mediterranean 1941–45 (Duel, 151), an illustrated study of RAF Coastal Command’s deployment of the Beaufighter against German supply lines in 1941 and the long-running ‘arms race’ with Kriegsmarine Flak ships that followed.

Crucial German shipping lines faced a new threat in 1941 when RAF Coastal Command debuted the iconic long-range Beaufighter. The aircraft and its subsequent Mk VIC and Mk X versions gave the Allies a tough, relatively fast and very hard-hitting platform for air attack on German convoys, and so it became essential for the Kriegsmarine to fit ever-heavier anti-aircraft batteries to its escort vessels, and even to develop specialist Flak vessels.

In this compelling study, naval aviation historian Matthew Willis chronicles the little-explored arms race that saw RAF Coastal Command and the Kriegsmarine engaged in a fierce battle of one-upmanship until war’s end. New artwork, rare archive photography and contemporary records of Beaufighter operations add depth to fascinating historical accounts, including the actions of the famous North Coates Strike Wing against shipping in the North Sea and the exploits of Beaufighter units tasked with severing Rommel’s all-important supply lines.

The 80 page, publication is currently available for pre-order in paperback and Kindle editions with release set for March 30.

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Avro Vulcan In Scale: An Essential Resource For Modelers

Coming soon from Fonthill Media and author Geoff Coughlin is Avro Vulcan: Cold War Aircraft in Scale, which will no doubt be a must for fans of the iconic British bomber.

The Avro Vulcan, arguably the best known of the British ‘V-Bombers’, was an integral part of Britain’s nuclear deterrent. During the Cold War several RAF squadrons were equipped with Vulcans, including some assigned to Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) sorties to counter immediately any threat launched by the Soviet Union. The Vulcan was also suited to conventional bombing missions. In 1982, in Operation Black Buck during the Falklands War, Vulcan B.2s carried out the longest-ranged bombing raids in history up to that time.

Cold War Aircraft in Scale: Avro Vulcan contains extensive photographs and profiles, unique reference materials and detailed step-by-step scale model builds in all the main scales: everything you need to inspire, inform and instruct you in your creation of a showpiece replica of this iconic Cold War bomber.

The 160 page paperback publication is currently available for pre-order with release set for March 30.

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New Release: Solomon’s Air War Vol. 4 — The Epic Evacuation of Guadalcanal

Coming soon from Avonmore Books and authors Michael Claringbould and Peter Ingman is Solomons Air War Volume 4: Operation Ke: The Evacuation of Guadalcanal January – February 1943, which sheds new light on hitherto little-known or misunderstood episodes in the Pacific air war.

This fourth volume of Solomons Air War chronicles aerial warfare throughout the Solomons theatre during the months of January and February 1943. It can be read alone or as part of the ongoing Solomons Air War series. This crucial period saw the Japanese swallow a bitter pill and launch Operation Ke, which was the evacuation of Guadalcanal. It was a complex operation conceived under utmost secrecy, which then unfolded over several weeks. Included was a widespread air offensive that saw the Japanese Army Air Force in the Solomons for the first time. Ironically, this operation was arguably the most successful yet for the Japanese in the theatre.

Against this background the intense air campaign continued. Enjoying a secure foothold on Guadalcanal and ever-growing facilities, Cactus Air Force expanded and pushed operations northwards into the Solomons chain where the Japanese were operating from Munda and building a new airfield at Vila. Temporary reinforcements were provided by carrier squadrons from both sides operating from land bases, including for the first time air units from USN escort carriers. Continue reading New Release: Solomon’s Air War Vol. 4 — The Epic Evacuation of Guadalcanal

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