Introduction
During World War 2, roughly 160 different types of combat aircraft saw frontline service, or actively participated in the global conflict. Of this number, well over half can be classified as 'fighters'. Seen as the ultimate in winged perfection, the fighter, and its pilot, has consistently grabbed the headlines in the propaganda 'war' fought for the 'hearts and minds' of the various nations embroiled in the major conflicts of the 20th century.
Proof of this is easy to obtain. Just ask anybody to name an aircraft from World War 2, and the trio most usually volunteered are the Spitfire, Messerschmitt (not usually mark-specific, but generally recognized as the Bf 109) and the Mustang. I grant you that these three aircraft are undoubtedly amongst the most important fighter types to see action during 'WW 2', and that between them, their total production amounted to more than 70,000 units in less than a decade of production. However, what of the remaining 80+ aircraft that meet the criterion of 'fighter' during the 1939-45 period? That is where this modest handbook comes in.
Featuring no fewer than 93 entries, this all-new addition to Jane's 'pocket guide' series details all the major fighter types of both the Allied and Axis powers, listing performance data, dimensions, armament and operators, as well as providing a concise history of the aircraft in question. Only those aeroplanes that actually saw action are included in this volume, ranging from the P.Z.L P.11cs and Bf 110B/Cs that engaged each other over Poland in the opening days of World War 2, to the F4U-4s and N1 K2-Js that slugged it out over Tokyo Bay in mid-August 1945.
Aside from the text, each fighter type is illustrated with a carefully chosen contemporary black and white photograph that clearly shows its salient details. These images have been specially sourced by the author from the extensive private collections of Philip Jarrett and Bruce Robertson, and have been selected for their clarity and rarity. With each photograph featured over a full page, they clearly show the sheer diversity of the designs that fought for the control of the skies over war-torn Europe, North Africa, the Far East and the Pacific South-West…Tony Holmes

Jane's Pocket Guide: Fighters of WWII

Holmes, Tony

Reference

Collins Reference

Fighters of World War II is a comprehensive, colour illustrated guide to all fighter aircraft of World War II, including both airworthy and non-airworthy craft. Chris Chant is a prolific author on the subject of military aircraft. A handy, but comprehensive guide to WW2 fighter aircraft. Of all wartime aircraft, it is the fighters that attract the greatest attention. Our nearest similar title is the Gem Aircraft of WW2 which has sold 17,566 copies (11,412 in UK) in 2 years. Pocket Reference 4 offers a lot more information than the Gem, but is aimed at the more dedicated enthusiast. Hence my expectation of 5000 sales in the UK per year. Although only 144pp, this pocket guide will provide a detailed listing of every variant ever in service, plus technical data and a longer service history than was possible in our WW2 Gem.

Fighters of World War II (Janes Pocket Guides)

Engineering & Transportation

Engineering

HARPER/COLLINS

US Military Aircraft Recognition Guide (Jane's)

History

Military

Collins-Janes

This is a handy and comprehensive directory of all the aircraft ever produced prior to 1945. Although compact in size, the guide provides all the essential information on vintage greats of the aviation world. Organized chronologically, this title captures the rapid developments in flight technology and design, as well as detailing entries the actually don't exist today. Descriptions, photography and specification details combine to make this the most useful guide for any aviation enthusiast who wishes to study vintage aircraft and an airshow, museum or home.

Jane's Vintage Aircraft Recognition Guide

Automotive

Harper Paperbacks

<ul>
<li>More than 400 color photographs</li>
<li>Key recognition features</li>
<li>Includes aircraft from 1909 to the early twenty-first century</li>
<li>Technical specifications and history</li>
<li>Helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)</li>
<li>The latest developments on the aircrafts in service</li>
</ul>

Jane's U.S. Military Aircraft Recognition Guide (Jane's Recognition Guides)

Historical Study & Educational Resources

Harper-perennial

Designed to improve on the F-4 Phantom’s air combat performance, the Tomcat entered service with the U.S. Navy in 1974, replacing the F-4 Phantom II. The winning Grumman design reused the TF30 engines from the F-111B, though the Navy planned on replacing them with the F401-PW-400 engines then under development by Pratt and Whitney for the Navy. Though lighter than the F-111B, it was still the largest and heaviest U.S. fighter to ever fly from an aircraft carrier. The F-14 had its first kills on August 19, 1981, over the Gulf of Sidra and went on to serve in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom over Afghanistan, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The only F-14 loss in combat was when a crew was shot down over Iraq, the pilot rescued by Special Forces and the RIO held as a POW until the end of the war. This book tells the story of this fascinating aircraft which still serves in Iran’s Air Force today.

The F-14 Tomcat Story (Story series)

The History Press

The story of the revolutionary strike-fighter which has been at the forefront of American air combat for nearly three decades From failed Air Force fighter to the Navy's "universal soldier," this history chronicles the evolution of the Hornet. Built to replace both the A-7 Corsair II light attack aircraft and the F-4 Phantom II fighter in Navy service, the F/A-18 evolved from Northrop's YF-17 in the late 1970s. Production aircraft reached the Navy in May 1980, with the Marine Corps receiving Hornets two years later. More than 800 examples would eventually be built for American service, with a further 500 aircraft being sold to seven export customers. Earning its battle spurs in April 1986 flying strike missions against Libya from U.S. carriers in the Mediterranean, the Hornet would subsequently participate in Operation Desert Storm five years later and the various "policing" operations in Iraq and the Balkans that followed. Still very much in frontline use with the Navy and Marine Corps today, the "legacy" Hornet, as all non-Super Hornet variants have been dubbed, provides the backbone for carrier-based naval aviation.

The Hornet Story (Story series)

As the world's first 'jump jet' warplane, the Harrier has earned an  outstanding reputation as both a fighter and an attack aircraft. This book is a photographic portfolio which details the history of the Harrier through vivid images and comprehensive descriptions. Blooded  in the Falklands War and heavily involved in the Desert Storm campaign,  this aircraft has performed spectacularly for the RAF, Fleet Air Arm  and the US Marine Corps.

Harrier

[Place of publication not identified] : Bounty Books

Represented in this splendid volume are the images of the aircraft that help the Allied powers defeat Germany and Japan in World War II. The award-winning air-to-air photography of John Dibbs is completed by breathtaking archival images from the conflict which illustrate the spirit and humanity of these "flying legends". 267 photos, 182 in color .

Flying Legends

Dibbs, John M.

Motorbooks Intl

Come aboard and enjoy a full-color glimpse of life on the flight-deck of some of today's most sophisticated aircraft carriers. Action-packed with deck shots as catapults steam and reheats roar - you can almost hear the deafening crescendo of cutting edge technology captured in frontline attack readiness. Sail aboard some of the world's finest ships and see the most revered combat aircraft in the western world streak skyward as they are launched from the deck to accelerate out over the ocean. Take a look at life, 'up on the roof' of modern aircraft carriers, with footage of US and British naval vessels in action. Find stunning photographs of Tomcats, Hornets and Sea harriers - plus many more.

Combat Carriers: Flying Action on Carriers at Sea

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