Category: History / Research

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Documentary Follows Restoration of Spitfire Mk IX, Explores Type’s “Rich History and Surprising Stories”

A newly released DVD Inside the Spitfire Factory “follows factory owner, Peter Monk, and his crew of engineers, pilots and historians as they restore rusty remains of the iconic Second World War flying machines.”

Over the course of a year, this six-part series discovers the surprising stories of this iconic flying machine, whilst following the restoration of a particularly special aircraft, the 1943 Mark IX Spitfire. With £2 million at stake there’s no room for error and the pressure is on to deliver on time. As Peter hunts down parts and oversees construction, a large cast of characters – from pilots and engineers to historians and WWII veterans – are on hand to explore the Spitfire’s rich history and uncover its surprising stories. This is the Spitfire Factory, a place dedicated entirely to resurrecting one of the most famous aeroplanes and returning it to the skies.

The DVD reportedly runs 4hrs 30 min.

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New Book Details Service of Avro Lancaster I/III Bombers Flown by Polish Pilots in Britain

MMPBooks is gearing up to release Polish Wings 31: Avro Lancaster I/III which, as the title suggests, describes the service of Avro Lancaster I/III bombers used by Polish pilots in Britain during 1941-1945.

The book reportedly features 200 photographs (many of which have not been published before) and 30 color profiles (plus top and bottom views of representative aircraft). It measures 8.2 x 11.8 inches and spans 96 pages. It is currently available for pre-order.

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Luftwaffe’s WW2 Special Weapons Examined in New Book

Robert Forsyth’s new book Luftwaffe Special Weapons 1942–45 offers “a highly illustrated study of some of the weapons developed by Nazi Germany to equip the Luftwaffe in their desperate war against the encroaching Allied forces.”

As the course of World War II turned against the Third Reich after Stalingrad some of the most inventive and radical proposals, and designs, were put forward by armaments manufacturers, scientists and technicians, aircrew, and even private individuals to the Reichsluftministerium (German Air Ministry) for consideration. Some proposals were destined never to leave the drawing board, while others not only underwent trials but were issued to operational units and used in action. In this fascinating new book, leading Luftwaffe historian Robert Forsyth examines the many different types of weapons that comprised the Luftwaffe’s increasing potent arsenal during the second half of the war. This was the period that saw the development and adoption of aerial torpedoes, wire-guided rockets and missiles, batteries fired by photo-electric cells, chemical weapons, composite bombers, and air-launched flying bombs.

The title is the result of “many years of research” and draws from “first-hand interviews conducted with former pilots and German archive reports.” It measures 7.79 x 1.11 x 9.86 inches and spans 272 pages.

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New Book Examines British Approach to Fighter Design in WW1

In has latest book, British Fighter Aircraft in WWI: Design, Construction and Innovation author Mark C. Wilkins “focuses on the British approach to fighter design, construction, and mass production” during the Great War:

World War I witnessed unprecedented growth and innovation in aircraft design, construction, and as the war progressed—mass production. Each country generated its own innovations sometimes in surprising ways—Albatros Fokker, Pfalz, and Junkers in Germany and Nieuport, Spad, Sopwith and Bristol in France and Britain… Each manufacturer and design team vied for the upper hand and deftly and quickly appropriated good ideas from other companies—be they friend or foe. Developments in tactics and deployment also influenced design—from the early reconnaissance planes, to turn fighters, finally planes that relied upon formation tactics, speed, and firepower. Advances were so great that the postwar industry seemed bland by comparison.

The book follows Wilkins previous release German Fighter Aircraft in World War I: Design, Construction and Innovation. It measures 8″ x 0.6″ x 10.1″ and spans 192 pages.

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New Book Offers First Comprehensive Study of WW2 Soviet Fighters by Native English Speaker

Among the latest releases from Fonthill Media is Jason Moore’s Soviet Fighters of the Second World War, which “details the development of the Red Air Force fighters, from the dark days of Operation Barbarossa, to eventual triumph over the ruins of Berlin.”

Starting with obsolete aircraft such as the Polikarpov biplane and monoplane fighters, the Soviets then settled on two main lines of development; the inline-engined LaGG-3 and its radial-engined derivatives, the La-5 and La-7, and the inline-engined Yakovlev fighters, which were produced in greater numbers than any other series of fighters. Not only are these aircraft described in great detail, but experimental fighters are also dealt with. In addition to the descriptions, accurate color profiles are provided illustrating the evolution of these aircraft in terms of design, camouflage, and markings. From the fixed undercarriage I-15bis biplane of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, to the superb La-7 and Yak-3 fighters of the last year of the war, the fighters of the Red Air Force are all covered in this comprehensive book.

The 416 page book is described as “the first comprehensive reference work on Soviet fighters of the Second World War written by a native English speaker.” It utilizes “the most up-to-date research” to produce a “stunningly accurate” record with “previously unpublished color profiles.” It includes 192 black-and-white and 85 colour illustrations.

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New Book Details All 46 Unclassified Skunk Works Projects From WW2 On

In his new book 75 years of the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, author James C. Goodall details the 46 unclassified programs developed by the Lockheed’s legendary Skunk Works, forming a pictorial history that takes the reader from the middle part of World War II, through the Korean War, the shoot down of Francis Gary Powers on May 1, 1960, the Vietnam War, Desert Shield/Storm and beyond.

This pictorial journey will take the reader from the very beginning of the Skunk Works’ very first project (XP-80 Shooting Star) and follow the program through prototype build-up, first flight and, if they reached the frontline, operational service. This treatment will be repeated for each of the 30 unclassified program designed and built by the Skunk Works. Each program will form a chapter of at least two pages in length, with a maximum of 14 pages being allocated for programs that went into production and merit more detailed coverage, such as the P-80/F-94/T-33 family, C-130 family and, of course, the A-12 and SR-71

The title is illustrated with over a thousand photographs and drawings and spans 384 pages.

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“The Flying Machine” Spring 2021 Edition Now Available!

Aerodynamic Media, LLC is proud to announce the release of the 19th issue of The Flying Machine: Early Aero Quarterly.

Issue #19 Contents:

36 Pages – Wright Tour Guide: Examining Sites and Artifacts Connected to the Wright Brothers and the Birth of Powered Flight (Part 6); Spotlight: Shannon Air Museum’s Standard E-1; New Zealand Warbirds Association’s Siemens-Schuckert D.IV; News Briefs: Curtiss Jenny Reproduction Returns Home After 15 Years, PFM’s New Acquisitions; Products

The Flying Machine focuses exclusively on “aeroplanes” manufactured prior to 1920, as well as the current work of historians, builders, restorers, museums and collectors to preserve and promote interest in the early years of flight. Published in print and digital formats, The Flying Machine is offered on a pay-per-issue basis – no subscription required!

Join us as we pay tribute to early aircraft and the visionaries, geniuses and daredevils who conquered the air while producing some of the most fascinating, ingenious and beautiful machines in aviation’s short history. Click here to purchase!

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Surprise Special Issue Release! – Time Flies: Aviation’s Golden Age

As a new year surprise for our readers, Aerodynamic Media. LLC offers TIME FLIES: a special edition journal focused on aircraft connected to the golden age of aviation (1920s and 30s). The newly released issue offers history, aircraft reproduction and restoration project reports, as well as new / upcoming product releases. TIME FLIES is the sister publication of Aerodynamic Media’s quarterly journal THE FLYING MACHINE, which focuses on pre-1920 aircraft.

Contents: Special Edition (2021): 40 Pages – The Curious History of the Chanute Sailplane; Craftlab’s Klemm 20 B Project; Saving the Potomac Pacemaker (DC-3); News Briefs: Savoia-Marchetti S.79 Tail Surfaces Undergoing Restoration for Display, Ryan ST Reborn in Kit Form, The Definitive Reproduction NYP: The Spirit of St. Louis by JNE; Products

Click here to check out our full selection!

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“The Flying Machine” Winter 2021 Edition Now Available!

Aerodynamic Media, LLC is proud to announce the release of the 18th issue of The Flying Machine: Early Aero Quarterly.

Issue #18 Contents:

36 Pages – Wright Tour Guide: Examining Sites and Artifacts Connected to the Wright Brothers and the Birth of Powered Flight (Part 5); Running the 80 hp Le Rhône 9C; Spotlight: Racette Blériot XI-2; News Briefs: Air Zoo Wright Flyer Returns Home, Petrov Curtiss JN-4 Canuck Project, Golden Age Air Museum SPAD XIII Project Update; Products

The Flying Machine focuses exclusively on “aeroplanes” manufactured prior to 1920, as well as the current work of historians, builders, restorers, museums and collectors to preserve and promote interest in the early years of flight. Published in print and digital formats, The Flying Machine is offered on a pay-per-issue basis – no subscription required!

Join us as we pay tribute to early aircraft and the visionaries, geniuses and daredevils who conquered the air while producing some of the most fascinating, ingenious and beautiful machines in aviation’s short history. Click here to purchase!

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Now Available: “The Flying Machine” Fall 2020 Edition And More!

Aerodynamic Media, LLC is proud to announce the release of the 17th issue of The Flying Machine: Early Aero Quarterly.

Issue #17 Contents:

36 Pages – Building and Flying Fokker D.VII N7756J; Craftlab Updates (Part 2): A Historic Flight; Spotlight: SAM / VAM SPAD VII B9913; News Briefs: Boscombe Down Aviation Collection Opens New Royal Flying Corps Exhibition, Mazer Fokker Dr.1 Project Update, Shaw Sopwith Camel Project Update; Products

We also have two additional new releases, including The Flying Machine 2020 Collection, featuring all four issues released this year, and our new 2021 calendar:

The Flying Machine 2021 Calendar compiles 12 beautiful, full-color photos of early aircraft located around the world, with a focus on some of the outstanding reproductions and restorations that have been featured in The Flying Machine journal during its first four years of publication. The calendar measures approx 11″ x 14″ (closed).

All of our new releases are now available in print and digital format from our online store. Click here to check them out, along with our complete selection of resources!