This is the story of how R J Mitchell’s design for a single-engined fighter became the legend that is the Spitfire. Earning both admiration and gratitudefor its exploits in the Battle of Britain over the southern skies of England in the summer of 1940 against the overwhelming might of the German Luftwaffe, this amazing aeroplane went on to become a versatile and adaptable asset that earned it the accolade of being the best fighter aircraft of WWII.Not just an air-defence fi...

This is the story of one of the most distinctive aircraft of its time, known simply as Concorde. This iconic supersonic airliner made its mark in the field of commercial air transport and was the result of a remarkable collaboration between the governments and aviation industries of Britain and France.It charts how the aircraft was taken from the early drawing board ideas after World War II to the prototype versions built at the production lines of Filton and Toulouse. Concorde wen...

In ancient times the term “hero” was used to describe those who displayed great courage in danger or adversity. Later, it was used to describe those who performed acts of extreme bravery or courage for the greater good of humanity, often to the point of self-sacrifice.Since the time when man first took to the skies there have been many instances of heroic acts that have taken place in the air. Some of these events occurred in times of conflict, while others took place in more peace...

It is generally accepted that the Spitfire was not only a great fighter aircraft but was also a symbol of Britain’s defiance of the Luftwaffe in the early years of WWII. Britain had been slow to react to German rearmament in the 1930s. Since WWI, the RAF’s front-line aircraft were mainly used in the colonial policing role where their (mostly) 1920s technology was not an issue.However, the political appeasement of Hitler’s Germany and subsequent lack of realisation had left the RAF ...

Southern England. Late summer 1940. The nation is fighting for its very survival and the Luftwaffe's aerial offensive is unrelenting. All that lies between invasion and salvation for Britain is the 'thin blue line' of RAF Fighter Command and its pilots.This newly illustrated anniversary edition of Life as a Battle of Britain Pilot reveals what it was like to fly a fighter plane in the Battle of Britain. Who were the Spitfire and Hurricane pilots of 1940? H...

`Shimmering in the morning sun, wave upon wave of bombers, driving for London. Stepped above and behind, the serried ranks of Messerschmitts. Covering mile upon mile of sky, as far as the eye could see. It was at once magnificent and terrible. I broke hard into attack, pulling the Spitfire into a climbing, spiralling turn as I did so…`Read about the development of the Spitfire in Taking to the Skies; heroic anecdotes of the pilots in The Battle of Britain; and amazing aerial combat...

An amazing array of leaflets, books and manuals were issued by the Air Ministry during the Second World War to aid pilots in flying the Supermarine Spitfire, here for the first time they are collated into a single book. An introduction is supplied by expert aviation historian Dilip Sarkar. Other sections include aircraft recognition, how to act as an RAF officer, bailing out, and so on.

The formation of the Pathfinder Force in August 1942 produced a steady but certain change in the fortunes of Bomber Command. During the early years of the war, aerial photographs showed that less than one third of the aircraft were successfully placing their bombs with accuracy. There was a basic lack of navigational skills, as well as what came to be known in the RAF as the will to 'Press On'. These shortcomings were addressed, and the special force of elite aircrew, the Pathfinder squadr...

In this book, aviation expert Chris Thomas - inspired to research Typhoons by his own father, who flew numerous raids in a Typhoon during World War 2 - extols the great importance of the Typhoon wings in the ultimate Allied victory in Europe.The Typhoon was the RAF's heavyweight fighter-bomber of choice to support the British and Canadian armies during the invasion of northwest Europe. He describes their destruction of German radar in the lead-up to D-Day, the use ...

An illustrated account of the DH 2, the most successful 'pusher' fighter of World War I, against the Albatros D II, part of a long family of fighters that in many ways symbolized German aerial might in the conflict.Flown by Victoria Cross recipient Lanoe Hawker and the members of No 24 Sqn, the ungainly yet nimble DH 2 helped the Allies attain air superiority over the Somme in early 1916 and hold it through the summer. With its rotary engine 'pusher' configuration ...

A look at the RAF service of the two most recognizable American-built fighters.The P-51 Mustang and P-47 Thunderbolt were the finest American fighters of World War 2, and both saw service with the RAF in substantial numbers. The RAF began flying the Mustang in 1944, using it to fly bomber escort missions, and deploying to support the ground campaigns in Italy and the Balkans. It was also flown by a number of Polish units in the RAF. The P-47 Thunderbolt was the bes...

THE WORLD'S GREATEST TEST PILOT TELLS HIS STORY'When you read through his life story, it makes James Bond seem like a bit of a slacker'Kirsty Young, Desert Island Discs'The greatest test pilot who ever lived. A true inspiration'Tim Peake, astronaut and former regular British Army Air Corps officer'The stories beggar belief'Guardian'Fascinating...