Kirjahaku

AN INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERDiscover space as you've never seen it before, with these awe-inspiring, breathtakingly restored images of our first missions to the Moon'The next best thing to being there' Charlie Duke, Apollo 16 astronaut'One of the best records of Apollo history ever produced' David R. Scott, Apollo 15 CommanderIn a frozen vault in Houston sits the original NASA photographic film of the Apollo missions. For half a century, almost every image of the Moon landings publicly available was produced from a lower-quality copy of these originals.Now we can view them as never before. Expert image restorer Andy Saunders has taken newly available digital scans and, applying pain-staking care and cutting-edge enhancement techniques, he has created the highest quality Apollo photographs ever produced. Never-before-seen spacewalks and crystal-clear portraits of astronauts in their spacecraft, along with startling new visions of the Earth and the Moon, offer astounding new insight into one of our greatest endeavours. This is the definitive record of the Apollo missions and a mesmerizing, high definition journey into the unknown.

Embark on a captivating photographic journey beyond Earth, from the dawn of human space exploration, through the untold story of the Mercury and Gemini missions'Wickedly exciting' Tom Hanks'Experience the same incredible awe as we astronauts did on those very first voyages into space' Jim Lovell, Gemini 7 & 12, Apollo 8 & 13'An unprecedented trip back in time… a vibrant, new, living record' Gene Kranz, Flight Director Mercury, Gemini, ApolloWhen we think of the history of space exploration, we can’t help but think of the Apollo missions and Neil Armstrong’s one giant leap. But what about the small steps that enabled NASA to reach for the Moon? Astronauts working on the earliest space missions, from Project Mercury to the Gemini missions of the mid-1960s, answered fundamental questions about the possibilities of long-duration space travel, paving the way for the Apollo missions and, ultimately, the Moon landings. They also took the first, and still some of the finest, images of Earth ever captured on film. Now, the bestselling author of Apollo Remastered, Andy Saunders has restored images from these first missions to show them in unprecedented detail and tell their full story, filled with dramatic life or death moments, mischievous pranks and astonishing triumphs. This stunning visual odyssey brings to life the pivotal, intimate moments of early space travel, unveiling the raw beauty and profound challenges faced by the pioneering astronauts pushing the boundaries of human achievement. Gemini and Mercury Remastered is a striking tribute to the visionaries who dared to dream beyond our world and a testament to the enduring power of exploration.

This title is a pictorial look at one of the most famous stations in the history of the RAF. The author gathers a selection of photographs, including commentary on Tangmere after World War II, and the jet age. Some of the most famous names in the history of the RAF flew from Tangmere including Johnny Johnson and Douglas Bader, and its squadrons were considered to be among the finest in service. This book is a tribute to Tangmere, and should be enjoyed by aviation enthusiasts and historians everywhere.

This definitive photographic book about the Apollo missions reveals hundreds of extraordinary, newly-restored, and all-new images from the NASA archives that provide a never-before-seen perspective on the Apollo endeavors more than 50 years after humankind first stepped foot on the moon. In Houston, Texas, there is a frozen vault that preserves the original NASA photographic film of the Apollo missions. For half a century, almost every image of the Moon landings publicly available was produced from a lower-quality copy of these frozen originals. Over the last few years, NASA image restorer Andy Saunders has been working hard. Taking newly available digital scans and applying pain-staking care and cutting-edge enhancement techniques, he has created the highest quality Apollo photographs ever produced. Never-before-seen spacewalks and crystal-clear portraits of astronauts in their spacecraft, along with startling new visions of the Earth and the Moon, offer astounding new insight into one of our greatest endeavors. This is the definitive record of all Apollo missions and a mesmerizing, high-definition journey into the unknown. And, now, Saunders's photographs bring the story of the Apollo missions to life in the new film The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks.

From the bestselling author of Apollo Remastered, a collection of hundreds of newly-restored images and untold stories from the NASA archives that provide a never-before-seen perspective on the critical missions that paved the way for the Moon landing and today's NASA, Boeing, and Space X endeavors. Astronauts working on the earliest space missions, from Project Mercury to the Gemini missions of the mid-1960s, answered fundamental questions about the possibilities of long-duration space travel, paving the way for the Apollo missions and, ultimately, the Moon landings. They also took the first, and still some of the finest, photographs of Earth ever captured on film. Now, Andy Saunders has restored images from these first missions to show them in unprecedented detail and tell their full story, filled with dramatic life or death moments, mischievous pranks and astonishing triumphs. This stunning visual odyssey brings to life the pivotal, intimate moments of early space travel, unveiling the raw beauty and profound challenges faced by the pioneering astronauts pushing the boundaries of human achievement. Gemini and Mercury Remastered is a striking tribute to the visionaries who dared to dream beyond our world, and a testament to the enduring power of exploration.

The Battle of Britain was a fight for survival against a seemingly unstoppable foe. With the German army poised to invade, only the fighters of the Royal Air Force stood between Hitler and the conquest of Britain. Losses were high on both sides, but the Spitfires, Hurricanes, Havocs and Defiants of the RAF began to take their toll on the overextended, under-protected Kampfgruppen of Heinkel He 111s, Junkers Ju 87s and 88s, and Dornier Do 17s. Both sides learned and adapted as the campaign went on. As the advantage began to shift from the Luftwaffe to the RAF, the Germans were forced to switch from round-the-clock bombing to only launching night-raids, often hitting civilian targets in the dreaded Blitz. This beautifully illustrated study dissects the tactics and technology of the duels in this new kind of war, bringing the reader into the cockpits of the RAF fighters and Luftwaffe bombers to show precisely where the Battle of Britain was won and lost.

An illustrated account of the Bf 109E's evolving role during the fateful first stages of the Battle of Britain.The Luftwaffe’s famous Bf 109 Emil saw considerable combat across the first stages of World War 2, but it was 1940’s Battle of Britain that truly put it to the test. During the early operations of that clash, in July and August 1940, German pilots had to reckon not only with the RAF but with another enemy – the English Channel itself. This evocative new study explores how the Channel’s breadth and the short range of Emil combined to force the Luftwaffe’s fighter units to evolve their tactics in pursuit of victory. Respected military aviation expert Andy Saunders brings the cockpit of the Bf 109E to life in a volume that draws upon first-hand accounts to tell the story of this landmark battle’s fascinating beginnings. Bringing further context to this analysis, archive photos, newly commissioned artworks, and tactical and ribbon diagrams demonstrate how strategy and procedure developed over the course of combat.

An illustrated account of the clashes between RAF Fighter Command’s Hurricane and Spitfire and the Luftwaffe’s Ju 87 Stuka in the skies over France, the Channel and southern England.The story of the Luftwaffe’s Ju 87 Stuka and its use against British targets in 1940 has been clouded by the aircraft’s – somewhat unfair – reputation as ‘fighter fodder’ for the RAF’s Hurricanes, Spitfires and turret-armed Defiants. In actuality, it was a formidable weapon when employed properly and remained in operational use for the entirety of World War 2, achieving iconic status through its engagements at Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain.Aviation expert Andy Saunders addresses the misconceptions surrounding the Ju 87 with this fresh appraisal of its famous actions in the skies over France, the Channel and southern England. Enhanced by first-hand accounts, rare photographs and newly commissioned artwork and diagrams, the story unfolds to reveal how the Stuka defended itself against on oncoming fighters and how, in turn, RAF pilots learned to shoot the aircraft down.

On 20 August 1940, the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, rose to his feet in the House of Commons to give a speech on the war situation. Fierce aerial combats were still raging overhead, which justifiably drew comment from the British leader. ‘The great air battle which has been in progress over this Island for the last few weeks has recently attained a high intensity,’ he declared. Almost certainly aware that what came to be known as the Battle of Britain had yet to run its course, Churchill went on say a few words that today rank as perhaps the most famous he ever uttered: ‘Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.’ Churchill was, of course, paying to tribute to all of the pilots and aircrew in the RAF, but ever since that speech his reference to the ‘Few’ has been used as a term of endearment for the men of Fighter Command. Much has been written about this gallant band of airmen who flew and fought in the Battle of Britain across the decades since 1940. Indeed, a total of 2,946 pilots and aircrew participated in the air war over the British Isles during 1940, in so doing gaining entitlement to the Battle of Britain Clasp. Over 500 of them lost their lives. In this book, the author does not set out to repeat the many biographical works which have gone before. Rather, he intends to shine a spotlight on a number of these pilots and aircrew – some famous, others less so. Each airman is represented by a wartime portrait of photograph, each supported with a short narrative that includes fascinating details about each individual. Churchill’s Few looks at who some of these Battle of Britain airmen were and pays tribute to their valour – and, in some cases, sacrifice.

Aircraft Salvage in the Battle of Britain and Blitz will comprise of some 140-150 images of the work of RAF and civilian salvage squads during the Battle of Britain, the Blitz and beyond. The images will depict losses across Britain, both RAF and German, during this period. Each picture will tell its own story, and will be fully captioned with historical detail. The author will be covering a topic that has rarely been examined in this detail. Each section will have a short introduction and the images will include those of shot down aircraft, including relatively intact machines, badly damaged/destroyed wreckages, photographs of pilots and other related illustrations. All images are from the author's unique collection of wartime photographs of Luftwaffe losses, collected from a variety of sources across some thirty-five years of research.

Known as the "Fighting Cocks", No 43 Squadron has been a part of the RAF since 1916, and is still in service today. This volume deals exclusively with the unit's exploits during World War II, covering its service during the evacuation of Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain, as well as the years spent supporting the Allied cause in North Africa and the Mediterranean. Flying Hurricanes from November 1939, and re-equipped with Spitfires in early 1943, Fighting Cocks' pilots scored 159 kills during the war and over a dozen of them "made ace". This book presents a full picture of the squadron, its men and its aircraft.

"The Nonsuch Pocket Images" series is an exciting list of titles based on the successful "Tempus Images and Archives Photographs" series. Now in a smaller format and with new cover design and typography, they are competitively priced and just the right size to fit into a pocket. Each title contains around 200 images, ranging in date from the very beginnings of photography up until the 1980s and '90s, accompanied by informative captions describing the scenes pictured and containing information about contemporary life. Often focusing on people as much as places, they are ideal for long-time residents of the cities, towns and villages in the series, as well as those who have moved away or newcomers seeking an appreciation of local heritage.Compact and affordable, there are already nearly 200 "Pocket Images" titles available, with a similar number planned for the near future. Covering the whole of British Isles, they add a new dimension to NPI Media Group's diverse range of local history publications.

During the Second World War, Flt Lt Richard Stevens led an extraordinary campaign as an RAF nightfighter. Known to contemporaries as Cats Eyes and by the height of his success in July 1941 as the Lone Wolf, Flt Lt Stevens was the RAFs highest scoring nightfighter pilot with fourteen victories. What makes his story unique is that all this was achieved without the aid of radar or another crew member. Instead Flt Lt Stevens used extraordinary skill, instinct and innate marksmanship. Tragically his success was cut short by his untimely death on the night of 15/16 December 1941 three days after his DSO was gazetted. The tributes paid to him after his death demonstrate the impact he had upon night fighting. Described as one of the greatest nightfighter pilots who ever fought in Fighter Command by Sir Archibald Sinclair, Secretary of State for Air and with Air Vice-Marshal B. E. Embry also crediting his high standard of courage and skill as a nightfighter pilot as a contribution to the final defeat of the enemy at night it is not hard to see why Stevens was greatly admired by his peers. Thanks to over twenty years of painstaking research by Terry Thompson and a rich resource of documentation and photography, Andy Saunders is now able to tell the exceptional story of one of Britains finest night-flying pilots of the Second World War. This extraordinary biography will be eagerly devoured by military aviation enthusiasts and students of air warfare and Second World War alike.

The Junkers 87 Stuka was an iconic weapon of World War Two and an aircraft name that was, and still is, instantly recognised worldwide. Its roles in Poland and the Battles of France and the Low Countries are almost legendary, but in the UK its import during the Battle of Britain is one that has never been covered in any specific detail. Here, Andy Saunders takes a critical look at every operation by Ju87s against British targets in 1940 including those on land and at sea. Each raid is charted, covering all aspects of the attacks including participants, defending RAF fighters and those on the receiving end. Myth and reality and truth and legend are all examined and analysed in this highly illustrated new book, which adds to our knowledge of one of the most significant periods in the whole of British history.

In September 1946, the London Gazette published a despatch from Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh C T Dowding that was titled simply: The Battle of Britain. Written and submitted to the Air Ministry in 1941, this document became the very framework for the accepted Battle of Britain narrative which has been established across the following eighty years. Set out by the leader of the 'Few' himself, its authoritative tone could surely be considered a definitive outline of the battle, how it was fought and the eventual outcome. It even retrospectively set the dates for the commencement and conclusion of the campaign. In this work, Andy Saunders takes a critical look at Dowding's despatch and analyses the facts and details contained in that important document. He also puts 'flesh on the bones' of the matters that the former commander-in-chief of RAF Fighter Command outlines, adding intriguing historical detail and perspective to the 1946 publication. Additionally, Andy looks at the behind-the-scenes machinations at the highest levels of government and Air Ministry before the despatch finally saw the light of day. As a historical document, Dowding's London Gazette despatch is worthy of the critical analysis and factual expansion which the author provides in what is a uniquely different look at the Battle of Britain, with illustrations throughout.

1940 in the skies over Britain was a time of courage, heroism and extreme danger. Many men gave their lives to keep our island free and some disappeared into the summer sky with no trace of them ever being found. This remarkable book records the life of a dozen of these pilots shot down and killed but who remained missing for decades until diligent research and searches primarily by the author brought identification to them and closure to their families. Each case represents a fascinating human story of humour, drama, love and tragedy; and each one represents a startling tale of detective work and remarkable coincidences, oft-times revealing controversy. Finding the Few ends with a mystery still unsolved, has photographs throughout, and will stand as a fitting testament to those men lost but not forgotten.

Andy Saunders’ ‘Automotive Alchemist’ is a roller-coaster ride through the highs and lows of this charismatic man’s life. From the early years of learning the basic skills of cutting and shaping metal then painting and airbrushing, to his mature creations, restorations and the inherent genius of his designs. Andy welcomes us into his workshop and his head: not afraid to express his emotions, as he deconstructs and then rebuilds each vehicle, he lays bare his motivations, inspirations, influences, and passions. Intertwined in the narrative is the work involved in the creation of 59 cars, described here with many detailed photographs. Twenty-seven of Andy’s creations now reside in museums and private collections across the globe but the most unusual fate is that of Flat Out, the Guinness Book of Records acclaimed Lowest Car in the World, which is now a coffee table in the foyer of a huge Californian corporation. The book is not a technical ‘how to create wild custom cars’ manual. Rather it is a celebration of Andy’s joy of creation and his design genius, though tempered by personal traumas and losses. He has, on many occasions, been referred to as the British George Barris, the American “King of Kustomizers.” Unlike many biographies, this book engages the reader with its honesty and humour.

An illustrated account of the challenge posed to RAF Fighter Command by the Luftwaffe's Fw 190, and the ways in which Spitfire crews adapted to this deadly new threat. The introduction of Focke-Wulf’s Fw 190 to Luftwaffe service presented RAF Spitfire VB and VA pilots with a formidable new foe that could quite literally run rings around them. First encountered over France in September 1941, the Fw 190 – or ‘Butcher Bird’ – soon demonstrated its startling capabilities, wrong-footing RAF Fighter Command and forcing the swift development of new tactics and methods. The actions that ensued were some of the most fiercely contested of the air war in northwest Europe and would lead to the production and eventual fielding of the Spitfire IX. In this new study, air war expert Andy Saunders details how the RAF – having perhaps become complacent about the superiority of the Spitfire – found itself left behind with an inferior fighter. Covering the introduction to service of both the Spitfire V and the Fw 190, the fighters’ first encounters and the battles that shaped subsequent tactics and design, it combines combat reports and first-hand accounts with archive photographs and newly commissioned artwork and formation diagrams to convey what it was like to be a fighter pilot in both aircraft from 1941 to 1943.