Category: Pictures

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New Book Offers Comprehensive History of BAC Lightning With Many Previously Unpublished Photos

Coming soon from Fonthill Media and author Philip Birtles is English Electric Lightning: The RAF’s First Mach 2 Fighter, a comprehensive history and analysis covering the Lightning’s design, development and service with extensive illustrations, (many previously unpublished) as well as appendices detailing production, service, performance data, and information on preserved aircraft.

The English Electric Lightning was the first Mach 2 fighter to enter service with the RAF. It began life as a purely experimental design, and despite inadequate funding from the government, was developed by the manufacturer into a highly effective combat aircraft. It was also an export success, particularly with the Royal Saudi Air Force, paving the way for major export contracts of future aircraft with Saudi Arabia and other nations.

Lightnings were challenging to fly and maintain—one pilot famously likened it to ‘being saddled to a skyrocket’—but the aircraft was nonetheless revered by pilots and ground crew alike, who valued its astonishing rate of climb among other performance advantages. Among enthusiasts, it quickly became iconic.

The 240 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release set for October 30.

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F-14 Tomcat’s Engineering and History Revealed in New “Visual Feast”

Coming soon from Pen & Sword and author Salvador Mafé Huertas is Grumman F-14 Tomcat: A Navy Jet in Service, a study of the aircraft that defined US naval air power through decades of combat, versatility, and enduring cultural iconography.

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat was a cornerstone of US Navy air power from the 1970s through to its retirement in 2006. Designed as a twin-engine, two-seat, supersonic interceptor, the F-14 was engineered to dominate the skies, primarily to counter Soviet aircraft during the Cold War.

The Tomcat’s sleek, angular design and distinctive variable-sweep wings gave it a menacing yet elegant silhouette, embodying both agility and raw power. Capable of adjusting its wing angle mid-flight – sweeping back for high-speed dashes or forward for enhanced manoeuvrability – the Tomcat adapted seamlessly to diverse combat scenarios, achieving speeds exceeding Mach 2.3 and a range of approximately 1,600 nautical miles.

As would be expected with an aircraft that remained in service for a number of decades, the F-14 had an impressive operational career. The type saw combat during the end of the Vietnam War, and was involved in the Lebanon Crisis in the early 1980s, Operation Desert Storm in the Gulf War, the Balkans Conflicts of the 1990s, flew strike missions during Operation Desert Fox (1998) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003). and even flew over Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom in the early 2000s. It was in these conflicts that the Tomcat proved its mettle in reconnaissance, air superiority, and later, precision strike roles with the addition of the LANTIRN targeting system.

Beyond its technical prowess, the F-14 gained cultural fame through its starring role in the 1986 movie blockbuster Top Gun, and its subsequent sequel, cementing its image as a symbol of American military might and pilot bravado.

Though retired by the US Navy in favour of the F/A-18 Hornet, the F-14 remains operational in limited numbers with Iran’s air force – a fact which is given due attention in this study. The Tomcat’s legacy endures as a marvel of engineering and a cultural touchstone of aviation history all of which is revealed in this visual feast.

The page book is currently available for pre-order with release set for November 30.

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British Commercial Aviation Development Told Through Detailed Accounts, Previously Unseen Photos

Coming soon from Key Publishing and author Roger Staker is Piston, Passengers and Payload, which follows the development of British piston-engine passenger and commercial transport aircraft between the end of the Great War and the early 1950s, when piston engines were superseded by jets and turboprops.

This period saw rapid change at a technological level, in response to an emerging market for transport of all types. It also witnessed the birth, failures and mergers of numerous air transport companies.

Flying was not without risks, Alongside the acknowledged successes that helped to make the world a smaller place, there were tragedies, Lessons learned from these contributed to the safer travel environment that we enjoy today. The pace of commercial aircraft development was given added urgency by World War Two, with many civilian aircraft pressed into military service: not all survived.

Featuring many previously unseen photos, this book is the story of a previously closed chapter in British aviation and offers detailed accounts of 17 manufacturers whose advanced designs paved the way.

The page book is currently available for pre-order with release set for September 30.

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Two New Calendars Offer Nothing But Spitfires For 2027

More 2027 calendars are starting to hit the market as we move towards the second half of the year, and today we are featuring two of them focused entirely on the iconic Spitfire.

The first brings together a striking collection of historical photography from Imperial War Museum collections, offering glimpses of the heroic people who made up the Squadrons, and an example of the poster art of the time. Also featured is Duxford’s Spitfire Mk Ia N3200, which was recovered and restored before returning to the air in 2014. Each photo is accompanied by informative text and a datepad features previous and next month’s views.

The second Spitfire calendar is offered by Avonside Publishing Ltd and showcases the aviation photography of Darren Harbar. It features a large Monday start grid for entering important dates as well as a multilingual grid (English, French, German, Italian & Spanish). It measures 11.6″ x 23.2″ (295mm x 590mm) open.

Click below to check out product links and additional images.

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Flying Legends 2027: WW2 Warbirds in Flight Captured by Award Winning Photographer

We’re almost halfway through 2026 and so 2027 calendars are starting to appear. One of them is Flying Legends 2027, which also covers September -December 2026.

The calendar focused on WW2 warbirds in flight and showcases the work of award-winning air-to-air photographer John M. Dibbs. The images measure 17″ × 12″ and are accompanied by crucial stats for each plane, including manufacturer, powerplant, performance, and armament.

The 2027 editions features the following aircraft: Bell P-39-Q6 Airacobra, Curtiss P-47G Thunderbolt, Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless, Boeing PT-17 Stearman, Curtiss P-40F Warhawk, Supermarine Spitfire Mk VB, North American Aviation P-51D Mustang, Supermarine Spitfire Mk Ias, Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3, Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk IB and De Havilland Mosquito T III.

The calendar is currently available for pre-order with release set for August 11. Click below to check out the product link and additional calendar images.

Continue reading Flying Legends 2027: WW2 Warbirds in Flight Captured by Award Winning Photographer

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Spitfire at 90: Iconic Fighter’s History Traced From the Mk.I to the Mk.XIX

In commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Spitfire, Key Publishing and editor / photographer John Dibbs offer the upcoming release Spitfire at 90, a special 100-page tribute to Britain’s greatest fighter and possibly the best known combat aircraft in the world.

Using extensive archive images, the best of aviation writers and researchers salute the Spitfire’s incredible heritage. This edition has been updated with fresh imagery of present-day Spitfires in their element from renowned air-to-air photographer John Dibbs. It presents a stunning portfolio from the day fighter Mk.I to the high-flying Mk.XIX and the wing-folding Seafires. All of this adds up to a superb souvenir of a world famous fighter.

The publication, which is offered in Mook formation (combination of magazine and book) is currently available for pre-order with release set for May 31.

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New Photo Collection Showcases the Legendary F-4 Phantom in Multiple Roles

Coming soon from Air World and author Robbie Shaw is a unique photographic exploration of the legendary F-4 Phantom captured by author Robbie Shaw during his time as an Air Traffic Controller in the RAF.

The F-4 Phantom, first flown in 1958, became a versatile warplane, excelling as both an air superiority interceptor and a ground-attack bomber. It served with distinction in the US Navy, Marines, and Air Force, with various models like the F-4C, F-4G, and F-4E, and was used globally by NATO allies, Israel, Egypt, and many others. The Phantom, famously used in the Vietnam and Gulf Wars, continued in service for over six decades. It was also used as a target drone after retiring from front-line duties. As of 2024, the Phantom remains in service with countries like Greece, Turkey, and Iran, making it one of the longest-serving military aircraft in history.

McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom in the Air: Aerial Photographs of the Famous Cold War Interceptor and Fighter-Bomber is described as a “breathtaking collection of air-to-air photographs, taken during seven flights, showcasing the Phantom in a variety of roles and settings. These images include variants like the RF-4C, F-4C/D/E/F/G/J/K, captured while flying with the RAF, USAF, Luftwaffe, and others. Additional photos from Shaw’s friends in the Falklands, Europe, and South Korea further enrich the book.”

The hardcover title spans 224 pages and is currently available for pre-order with release set for June 30.

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New Book Chronicles Perilous Work of USAF Combat Cameramen

Coming soon from Helion and Company and author Kevin Wright is USAF Combat Camera 1941–1991: The Brave Ones Shoot Bullets, the Crazy Ones Shoot Film, documenting USAF cinematographers and photographers and their frequently hazardous work.

USAF Combat Cameramen and later women have participated in every major US military operation and deployment worldwide. Whilst some of their wartime productions like the original Memphis Belle and The Last Bomb, rightly gained wide public acclaim, the vast majority of their work, often classified, was for the Pentagon’s eyes only. Their main role was to keep senior military commanders and decision-makers informed about USAF operations and to record the challenges faced by US armed forces on the ground.

Combat Camera charts those activities from their origins in Hollywood, producing military training films, through wartime movies, bomber operations over Europe and Japan, the liberation of France, the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, to Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama and the 1991 Gulf War.

These events are explored mainly through personal accounts from the combat cameramen and women themselves. From acts of individual heroism, through organisational change, new equipment and their often ringside seats at historic events, Combat Camera captures the work of these remarkable men and women and has been produced with cooperation of the membership of the USAF Combat Camera Association.

This volume is profusely illustrated with original photographs and includes unique links to original motion footage shot by the USAF Combat Cameramen, in addition to the @War series signature colour artworks.

The 72 page paperback publication is currently available for pre-order with release set for June 15.

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Latest Collection from Renowned Artist Ronny Bar Focuses on WW1 British Fighters

Aviation artist Ronny Bar’s latest collection of aircraft profiles will soon be released by Tempest. The new collection British Fighters of the Great War is a visual and historical celebration of Britain’s single-seat fighter aircraft of the First World War.

Renowned aviation artist Ronny Bar presents a remarkable collection of meticulously researched colour profiles, capturing 15 of the most important British ‘scout’ fighters in vivid, authentic detail. Each aircraft is illustrated in a constant scale, with side, upper, and underside views that provide invaluable reference for historians, enthusiasts, and modellers alike.

From the iconic Sopwith Camel, Pup, Dolphin and Snipe – legendary products of the Sopwith Aviation Company – to other pivotal types such as the Bristol Scout, DH-2, DH-5, FE-8, and SE-5a, this volume traces the evolution of British fighter design from the tentative early days of aerial reconnaissance to the hard-won air superiority of the war’s later years.

Set against the backdrop of rapid technological change, tactical experimentation, and the courage of the pilots who flew these machines, the book combines striking artwork with a deep understanding of the historical context. Every profile is based on photographic evidence and thorough research, with informed interpretation used only where the passage of time has left gaps.

The 264 page book expands on the author’s previous collections of profiles as an authoritative color guide and a showcase of one of the genre’s finest artists, offering an unmatched visual reference to the aircraft that helped shape the air war over the Western Front. The book is currently available for pre-order with release set for May 31.

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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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