Kirjahaku

The Supermarine Spitfire is probably the most famous fighter aircraft of all time, with a distinctive shape and sound that mark it out from most other aircraft of the World War II period. Alfred Price employs first-hand accounts to evoke a series of snapshots of this legendary aircraft in combat.

The adventures of some sixty pilots and ground crewmen who flew or worked on the Spitfire during the Second World War. The Spitfire was perhaps the most successful fighter design of all time. It remained at the forefront of its genre from the biplane era until well into the jet age, a period including the Second World War, which saw a faster rate of technological advance than in any comparable period in history. Yet the Spitfire was more than just a superb flying machine. During the war it carved a unique place in the psyche of the British people, and many believe it played a major part in saving the nation from defeat during the grim days of 1940. When Spitfire at War first appeared in 1974 it enjoyed critical acclaim as one of the first detailed accounts of a much-loved plane. It was followed by two further volumes, all three of which were hailed as classic works on the subject. In Spitfire: Pilot’s Stories, Dr Alfred Price condensed his three acclaimed books into one, bringing the story together in the form of many pilots’ memories and recollections of flying this iconic aircraft. This gripping collection of pilots’ stories and evocative photographs reveals what it was like to fly the world’s most famous aircraft, undoubtedly the finest fighter of the Second World War.

During the latter half of the 1930s, the fear of a possible aerial knock-out on Great Britain became a dominating factor in the formulation of national policy. This text examines how justified these pre-war fears were in light of the Luftwaffe's capabilities in 1939 and describes the bombing attacks on Britain during the years that followed, together with the operations of the defences to parry them. From the start, the air defences proved able to take a heavy toll on the bombers attacking Britain by day. By night it was a different matter. Initially, the fighter and gun defences were lucky if between them they were able to knock out one or two bombers out of three or four hundred involved in a night attack. From this poor beginning the defences improved out of all recognition and when the Germans launched a series of attacks on London early in 1944, it cost them one bomber and four trained crewmen for every five British civilians killed. Blitz on Britain makes compelling reading for anyone interested in the Luftwaffe's wartime raids on Britain, and how the air defences ultimately succeeded in defeating this long running aerial onslaught.

The Luftwaffe in Camera features a wide range of fascinating archive photographs of the Luftwaffe taken during the Second World War. It depicts the operations, aircraft and men of the Luftwaffe throughout the successes and glory of the first three years at war and then in the final years as they were forced to relinquish the territory they had fought to gain and retreat towards their homeland. The book covers important campaigns such as the Battle of Britain and the devastating Blitzkrieg offensive, as well as the ingenuity and courage shown so that they could never be discounted from Allied calculations. Over several years the author has toured Germany to visit and interview Luftwaffe Veterans. The majority of photographs that appear in this book come from their personal albums. Together they provide a unique pictorial record of this crucial phase in twentieth-century history.

The Supermarine Spitfire is probably the most famous fighter aircraft of all time. Its distinctive shape and sound mark it out from most other aircraft of the Second World War period. From the biplane era of the 1930s to the start of the jet age in 1944 the Spitfire, through continuous modification and development, remained at the forefront of fighter design and proved itself equal or superior to any of its competitors. During the same period, other variants of the Spitfire proved highly effective in the photographic reconnaissance role. Well known and respected author Dr. Alfred Price employs more than twenty accounts in words and pictures to provide a series of fascinating snapshots of the Spitfire and those who flew it. The author covers aspects of the aircraft's history as diverse and the 'Speed Spitfire', specially modified in 1938 for an attempt on the world landplane speed record. Fully illustrated, Spitfire in Combat will serve as an ideal primer for those whose interest in the Spitfire is just beginning. At the same time, it is sure to add to the knowledge of those who are already familiar with this classic aircraft.

When the Focke Wulf Fw190 first became operational in the autumn of 1941 it gave its enemies a nasty shock. The new German fighter could out-run, out-climb and out-dive the Spitfire Mk V, the best machine the RAF then had available. The only aspect of combat performance in which the Spitfire had the edge was its tighter turning circle, which was countered by the German fighter's better rate of roll. So great was the superiority of the new German fighter that RAF personnel of all ranks ascribed to it an excellence even greater than it merited. In June 1942 an Fw 190 pilot became disorientated during combat over England and made a successful wheels-down in South Wales. This was a valuable prize indeed. The aircraft was put through a series of comparative fighting trials and revealed the weaknesses of the craft that could be exploited in future combat. The Luftwaffe came under increasing pressure during the final eighteen months of the war, and Fw 190 units suffered heavy losses. Yet the very sight of an Fw 190 in position to deliver an attack was enough to strike fear in the hearts of its opponents.

Dogfight tells the story of some of the most incredible air battles of modern warfare. Alfred Price's action-packed accounts place you in the cockpit, offering a rare insight into what it was like to face the enemy thousands of feet above the frontline. From operations over the fields of France during the First World War, through to accounts of the indomitable spirit of the RAF during the Battle of Britain, to the horrifying loss of life inflicted by Hitler's Blitzkrieg offensive, when more than 300 aircraft fell in air-to air combat during a single day of fighting; this book details the battles and the men who fought in them. The jet age is also heralded in by accounts of the air force's role in the Vietnam War and the Falkland. The role of reconnaissance aircraft in modern warfare is described alongside the precision of attacking pin-point targets during the Gulf War in Iraq. This book not only uncovers how the tactics of aerial warfare have changed through each major conflict of modern times, but also the dramatic narrative allows the reader to feel like they were there in the skies, flying alongside these incredible pilots.

The narrative description and condensed history of the Spitfire’s construction, combat career and post-war service, bought together to tell the complete, concise history of the world’s most famous aircraft of all time and undoubtedly the finest fighter of World War II. When Spitfire at War first appeared in 1974, it enjoyed critical acclaim, for the aircraft had never been described in such terms and detail before. It was followed by a second volume in 1985 and a third volume in 1990. All three volumes sold well and are hailed as classic works on the subject. These important works have been out of print for more than a decade, thereby denying them to the current breed of aviation buffs. The time has come to re-issue the three books as a single volume, the author ‘cherry-picking’ the choice cuts to produce the finest title on the mighty and beloved Spitfire.

The rapid evolution of radio and radar systems for military use during World War II, and devices to counter them, led to a technological battle that neither the Axis nor the Allied powers could afford to lose. The result was a continual series of thrusts, parries, and counter-thrusts, as first one side then the other sought to wrest the initiative in the struggle to control the ether. This was a battle fought with strange-sounding weapons—“Freya,” “Mandrel,” “Boozer,” and “Window”—and characterized by the bravery, self-sacrifice, and skill of those who took part in it. During the war, however, and for many years after, electronic-warfare systems and their employment during the conflict remained closely guarded military secrets. When that veil of secrecy was finally lifted, the technicalities of the subject helped ensure that it remained beyond the reach of many lay researchers and readers.Long regarded as a standard reference work, Instruments of Darkness has been expanded and completely revised.

German daylight raids on Britain began in the summer of 1940. They were expected and the country had been preparing for quite some time. Searchlights were in place, Fighter Command had been expanded, and anti-aircraft guns were being manufactured. It was from these first preparations that Britain developed tactics to counter the many air raids over the following years. This book shows how Britain prepared for air raids in the run up to the war and details all the tactics that were developed during the war to counter the many aerial attacks. Among the defence systems included are anti-aircraft guns, barrage balloons and the Meacon system.

The Last Year of the Luftwaffe is the classic story of a once all-conquering force struggling to stave off an inevitable and total defeat. This superbly written book gives a complete account of Luftwaffe operations during the last twelve months of the fighting in Europe - including the dramatic Bodenplatte (or 'Baseplate') offensive over the Ardennes in December 1944. In this comprehensive examination of Hitler's air force, Dr Alfred Price examines its state from May 1944 to May 1945, analysing not only the forces available to it, but also the likely potential, and impact, of new aircraft and weapons systems. He also assesses the Luftwaffe's High Command's performance and the effect of Allied attacks and operations. In doing so he rejects a number of long-standing myths, clarifies the impact of the jet and rocket fighters, and demonstrates that the Luftwaffe performed as well as could be expected under the harsh circumstances of fighting a losing war.

Although the Spitfire is undoubtedly best known for its exploits against the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain, its later war service with Fighter Command on all fronts against the Axis alliance was equally as important. This volume features the exploits of pilots who turned the tide against the Luftwaffe on the Western European and Mediterranean fronts, as well as the Japanese in the Far East, flying Spitfire Mk VIs, VIIs, VIIIs, IXs XIIs and XIVs. Names like Johnnie Johnson, Neville Duke and Donald Kingaby, plus a myriad of lesser known British, Polish, Canadian, American, Australian, Czech, Free French, New Zealand and Norwegian pilots, and their aircraft, are all covered in this book.

Spitfire Mk Is and IIs served only briefly in the frontline with the RAF, but their pilots were responsible for achieving impressive scores against the Luftwaffe during 1940/41.This volume details the RAF's first aces of World War 2 who helped stem the German tide during Britain's struggle for survival in the bitter years between 1939 and 1941. Early-mark Spitfires were notorious for their light armament, overheating engines and short range, but during the dogfights over Dunkirk and south-east England, then the first tentative sweeps across France, many pilots achieved scores of note.

This volume completes the "Aircraft of the Aces" trilogy on the elite pilots that flew the Spitfire in World War II. The Spitfire Mk V was the workhorse of the wartime marks, being flown in combat across the globe. It was the first of its type to be built in sufficient numbers to allow it to serve in the Far East, Australia, North Africa and Russia. A robust machine, it was often outclassed by the Luftwaffe's Fw 190. Nevertheless, pilots of the calibre of Malan, Tuck, Johnson, Beurling, Caldwell and Duke all enjoyed success with the Mk V and are described in the book.