The 365th Fighter Squadron was part of the much-traveled 358th Fighter Group. Beginning combat with the 8th Air Force, traded to the 9th Air Force, and later assigned to the First Tactical Air Force, the 365th flew from bases in England, France, and ultimately Germany itself. As with many tactically oriented outfits, the squadron did not run up a huge score against enemy aircraft, yet, claims from strafing and bombing of a multitude of targets were impressive. This book presents the 365th's day-to-day operations and is interspersed with quotes from the group and squadron records, Missing Aircrew Reports, and the men themselves. In addition, an exhaustive appendix and nearly two hundred photographs give readers a look into the combat activities of this long overlooked Army Air Force unit.

This expanded and revised edition of the bibliography originally compiled for the United States Air Force Historical Research Agency is the most comprehensive listing of unofficial published histories of the United States Air Force and its antecedents. It covers the air force from its genesis as the US Army Signal Corps, Aviation Section to the present. These titles are a rich source of information for anyone interested in the history of combat and peacetime operations of the Air Force. Researchers and libraries will find the organization of titles easy to use. Entries include: private sponsored or "unofficial" histories often written by the unit historian personal narratives purely photographic or pictorial histories route of battle maps published or printed rosters officially produced titles This is an indispensable resource for military aviation historians, libraries with strong collections in military and air force history, and unit history collectors. It is also of special interest to genealogists as many unit histories contain rosters and photos of personnel.

The first of two volumes of the classified Air Historical Branch study of Fighter Command and the Air Defence of the United Kingdom. It covers pre-war expansion of the Command, the creation of the first integrated air defence system, and an account of Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain.

During World War II, hundreds of military training installations were built throughout the United States to prepare servicemen for the rigors of overseas combat. One such installation was Camp Cooke in California, which since 1957 has become an internationally recognized missile and rocket base renamed Vandenberg Air Force Base.    This book examines the history of the camp, starting with its construction. Established some 150 miles north of Los Angeles, Cooke was designed for armored divisions, but by the end of the war hundreds of other specialized organizations trained there. It supported many USO clubs and attracted some of Hollywood's leading entertainers as well as many from radio and stage.    With the outbreak of the Korean War, Cooke supported Army National Guard and reserve units. Its large hospital cared for war evacuees and Army medical cases from other parts of the globe. When it became an Air Force base, America's first spy satellite program was conducted from there. The intelligence data collected from these missions exploded the myth of a "missile gap" with the Soviet Union. At the height of the Cold War, America's first ICBM missile equipped with a nuclear warhead was based at Vandenberg.

For the first time, this richly illustrated book offers a comprehensive, detailed examination of the legendary Messerschmitt Bf 110, Me 210, and Me 410 series. By 1935 the Bf 109 had made Messerschmitt the leading manufacturer of fighter aircraft in Germany. The twin-engined Bf 110 followed on its heels in 1936, a type the Luftwaffe took on in large numbers as a long-range fighter, heavy-fighter, fighter-bomber, night-fighter and reconnaissance platform. As its successor, Messerschmitt developed the better performing Me 210, which flew for the first time in 1939. But this airframe soon began manifesting serious design flaws, and accidents with the Me 210 quickly started piling up due to the type's questionable flight handling characteristics. The Luftwaffe refused to accept any more aircraft as a result, and at a stroke the type's overzealous full scale production ground to a halt. More powerful engines and a number of design changes saw this aircraft produced from 1943 to 1944 under the designation of Me 410, and as such the type gave an excellent accounting of itself in service with the Luftwaffe.

The Imperial War Museum holds approximately 11 million photographs in its archives, covering the causes, course and consequences of modern conflict from the First World War to the present day. Off ering a snapshot into this unique collection, Bomber Command showcases 50 iconic photographs of the aircraft and crew that lead Britain and its Allies to victory during one of the longest, most expensive and controversial of the Allied campaigns during the Second World War. This vivid collection of photographs traces Bomber Command through each stage of its development and brings to life the experiences of those both in the air and on the ground

This is the story of Kent's Garden Airfield, so called because of its location on an escarpment, overlooking Hythe and Romney Marsh. An airfield born out of necessity during the First World War. Following 1918 many record breaking flights began at Lympne. During the 1920's and 1930's, a time which saw the expansion of the RAF, civilian and RAF units shared the airfield and its facilities. Imperial Airways and other civilian airlines, often used the airfield, being on route to France. At the same time the Cinque Ports Flying Club was founded, many air races and flying displays took place. With the declaration of the Second World War on 3 Sptember 1939, it was realised that it was the ideal location for the RAF, being close to the coast. Lympne was host to many RAF units and squadrons during the war. When peace came private flying returned and later airlines such as Silver City and Skways operated their services to Europe. Flying continued into the early 1970's, but following closure, the airfield was developed and industrial units constructed, little remains today of this once important airfield.

A Detailed History of RAF Manston 1916-1930: The Men Who Made Manston covers the development of aviation in Thanet up to and including the period of the First World War. Manston had its origins in the Royal Naval Seaplane Station at Westgate that was later expanded for landplane operations. The fact that the landing ground at Westgate was both dangerous and unsuitable lead to the development at Manston. Lieutenant Spenser Grey was the first airman to land in Thanet and he began a popular trend with various aviators being attracted to the area. In August 1913, The Daily Mail organised the Round Britain Aeroplane Race that both began and ended at Ramsgate giving a great boost to the town. The first unit to be based at Manston was 3 Wing RNAS that moved from Detling in April 1916 and the first CO was appointed in May. During the war, aeroplanes based at Manston and particularly its 'War Flight' played an important role in defending the Thames and Medway estuaries. Together with RNAS Eastchurch, Manston's War Flight of Triplanes, Camels and Pups patrolled the coast and amongst its most famous moments was when on 22 August 1917, a German Gotha bomber was shot down near Vincent's Farm. The authors give a detailed history of the units that were based at Manston during this period, their operations and the commanding officers. Manston was unique in many ways, but particularly as it was the only airfield to have built an underground hangar for the protection of its aeroplanes. After the First World War, Manston expanded and it took on the role of a training station. This first book in a three-book series will finish approximately at the end of the war period and continue with the growth of the station during the inter-war years.

This rarely presented topic is shown in its uses as personnel, assault and equipment transport.

The true story documenting the short range history of the bomber force. Told in three parts, it demonstrates the versatility of the military pilot and observer and is a credit to the training they receive, coupled with the experience each one of them acquired.

If the Wright brothers' 1903 flights in Kitty Hawk marked the birth of aviation, World War I can be called its violent adolescence--a brief but bloody era that completely changed the way planes were designed, fabricated, and flown. The war forged an industry that would redefine transportation and warfare for future generations. In First to Fly, lauded historian Charles Bracelen Flood tells the story of the men who were at the forefront of that revolution: the daredevil Americans of the Lafayette Escadrille, who flew in French planes, wore French uniforms, and showed the world an American brand of heroism before the United States entered the Great War. As citizens of a neutral nation from 1914 to early 1917, Americans were prohibited from serving in a foreign army, but many brave young souls soon made their way into European battle zones: as ambulance drivers, nurses, and more dangerously, as soldiers in the French Foreign Legion. It was partly from the ranks of the latter group, and with the sponsorship of an expat American surgeon and a Vanderbilt, that the Lafayette Escadrille was formed in 1916 as the first and only all-American squadron in the French Air Service. Flying rudimentary planes, against one-in-three odds of being killed, these fearless young men gathered reconnaissance and shot down enemy aircraft, participated in the Battle of Verdun and faced off with the Red Baron, dueling across the war-torn skies like modern knights on horseback. Drawing on rarely seen primary sources, Flood chronicles the startling success of that intrepid band, and gives a compelling look at the rise of aviation and a new era of warfare.

Celebrating 25 years with a comprehensive history from World War II through the 21st Century. Biographical profiles of the members as well as a roster of all association members.

A description of the operational history of the new I-JG3 "Udet" which was formed at the beginning of 1942 and saw its first action during the German summer Russian offensive of 1942, then served a tough and costly tour of duty in the Defense of the Reich and over the Western Front before seeing several weeks of desperate defensive action in the east of the Reich.

This detailed, illustrated look at the Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter aircraft features complete discussions of its design, construction, and operational use, as well as all technical systems and weapons. Developed in the 1970s as a match for the American F-15 Eagle, the aircraft remains one of the most important fighters in the current Russian arsenal, and has formed the basis for many variants including the Su-30, Su-34, and Su-35. Though larger than Russias famed MiG-29, it is extremely maneuverable and considerably more powerful. The Su-27 can also fly at extremely high angles of attackan ability it is fond of demonstrating at airshows, along with its legendary Cobra maneuver. The Su-27 remains in production, and nearly a dozen countriesincluding China, India, and Vietnamcurrently operate this high-performance aircraft. The book is superbly illustrated with more than 210 color images, and includes more than thirty color aircraft profiles displaying color schemes.

In Fifteenth Air Force against the Axis: Combat Missions over Europe during World War II, Kevin A. Mahoney provides a detailed combat history of the crucial role played by this air force from November 1943 through May 1945. Presented by month in chronological order, Mahoney describes all the major bombing and fighter missions carried out by this air force within a strategic context. Each chapter includes an introduction describing developments in the evolution of the strategic air campaign against the Germans, highlights the purpose and importance of the month's operations, and reviews the Luftwaffe's resistance and changes in tactics and important developments in the Fifteenth Air Force's organization. Each monthly narrative further explores most missions, detailing the number of aircraft lost during these missions. Losses are based on an exhaustively researched database compiled by Mahoney that contains details of almost 3,000 aircraft. Target damage is mentioned, while enemy opposition is also described for each mission. Appendices include four short essays on bombing operations (planning and flying of missions, tactics and techniques, bomb types, and bombing accuracy), tactics employed by fighter escort in aerial combat and strafing, combat crews and their aircraft (including a comparison of American fighters and bombers, the training of the crews, and their combat tours), and the Fifteenth Air Force command structure (including the use of intelligence, photo and weather reconnaissance, and the considerable effect of weather on Fifteenth Air Force operations). This work of military history is ideal for students and scholars of the air war in Europe.

Without the support of airlift, the modern American military machine would be brought to a standstill. Since World War II--beginning with the Cold War and continuing up to the present day--the U.S. armed forces have come increasingly to rely upon airlift for mobility. The power to move and thereafter support a military operation--anywhere in the world, at any time--has become a foundational element of American defense policy. This work provides the reader with a comprehensive historical survey--including technical specifications, drawings, and photographs--of each type of fixed-wing aircraft used by U.S. military forces over a nearly 90-year period to carry out the airlift mission.

This new book examines the development of Soviet thinking on the operational employment of their Air Force from 1918 to 1945, using Soviet theoretical writings and contemporary analyses of combat actions.

This new photo chronicle covers the F-15 Eagle from its planning and development, to its success in Operation Desert Storm and post-Desert Storm operations in over 170 photographs, most in color. All types are covered, including foreign - Israel, Japan and Saudi Arabia - and Saudi Arabia - and the Strike Eagle. \n Bill Holder is a retired USAF aero-space engineer, and is now a freelance writer specializing in aviation and automotive subjects. He lives in Dayton, OH. Mike Wallace has more than 22 years of Air Force public relations experience, and has been attached to Aeronautical Systems Division at Wright-Patterson AFB. He lives in Lewisburg, OH.

This new book is the third of a multi-volume series covering the complete history of Germany's legendary World War II jet fighter, the Messerschmitt Me 262. Featured here are the Me 262 "A" series types from the A-1a jabo through the A-5 and including bomber, recon, night-fighter and other variants. Forthcoming volumes in the series will cover additional production types and unusual design versions.

This is a book that captures the horrors of World War II as witnessed by a young RAF bomber pilot. "On A Wing and a Prayer" takes you through the authors upbringing in Aberdeen as well as raid by raid through his tour of duty This book takes you through the author's upbringing in pre-war Aberdeen to his eyewitness account of a raid by a German bomber on the shipyards in the city on 12 July 1940. It describes how he came to join the RAF followed by his training in England, the USA and Canada before becoming operational. It then takes you, raid by raid, through the author's tour of operational duty over the period, September 1944 - April 1945. This included an incident on the night of 23 October 1944 during a raid on Essen, when 'friendly' bomb released from another Lancaster tore away 28ft of the starboard wing including the aileron. For retaining control of the badly damaged aircraft and landing it at base he was commissioned 'in the field' by the Commander of No. 1 Group the following day. It is primarily a bomber pilot's story and includes his sober reflections on controversial issues in which he was involved such as the bombing of Dresden. However, it is also about the shared experience of the author and his crew and the risks they had to face. It was this experience that enabled them to assess each other's worth and through this knowledge to build up their mutual affection and respect. Accordingly when they eventually met up again after a gap of 37 years it was an emotional and joyous occasion.

In the aftermath of World War II, the Continental Air Command was redesignated as the Strategic Air Command (SAC) as part of a plan to organize the Army Air Forces around three new organizations based on strategic, tactical and air defense missions.

Nearly everything about the SAC was secretive--its capabilities, strengths, order of battle and unit identities. Its aircraft were rarely photographed and those images that were captured revealed little information.

This book comprehensively documents SAC tactical aircraft markings from the organization's inception in 1946 to the end of the tail-marking era in April 1953, a period when the marking schemes included large tail markings, vivid squadron identification markings and attractive, colorful unit insignia. The SAC's history is described along with the evolution of its aircraft markings policy and basic definitions of markings terminology. There are individual unit sections on SAC's bombardment, strategic reconnaissance and fighter groups and wings. The text is heavily illustrated and features many never before seen photographs of SAC aircraft in full war paint.

Between September 1936 and February 1939, the Soviet Union was covertly aiding the Spanish Republic in its civil war with the right wing forces of General Francisco Franco, which had revolted against the government and were being aided semi-covertly by Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany. The Soviets were not only supplying the Republic with oil, gasoline, and food stuffs, but also the aircraft, tanks, artillery pieces, and small arms they needed to conduct the war. The Soviets also began sending military advisers and personnel from all branches of the service, plus engineers, translators, merchant seamen and war industry factory workers. Of the approximately 3,000 people sent from the Soviet Union, 772 were from the air force, and of these 100 were killed in action or died as a result of accidents or wounds received in battle.

The story of the Royal Aircraft Factory at Farnborough, forerunner of the World’s premier aeronautical research establishment wherein were designed a diversity of aircraft including many of those that equipped the RFC, RNAS and RAF during the First World War. Originally established to build observation balloons for the Victorian British Army, the Factory later expanded to employ over 3500 people by mid-1916, at which time it became the subject of a political controversy that ended in a judicial enquiry. In 1918 its title was changed to the Royal Aircraft Establishment, not only to avoid a clash of initials with the newly formed Royal Air Force but to better define its changing role. Each of the many designs for airships and aeroplanes that were produced by the Factory between 1908 and 1918 is described in detail, illustrated by photographs, and with three-view drawings provided for the more prominent designs.

In depth descriptions and photographs of the aircraft of 21 nations presented with a unique human dimension that goes behind the machines to the people involved. Invaluable for specialists, accessible to enthusiasts, International Warbirds: An Illustrated Guide to World Military Aircraft, 1914–2000 puts the most legendary fighter aircraft of the 20th century developed outside the United States on vivid display. It offers 336 illustrated "biographies" of the most significant warplanes used in squadron service from World War I to the Balkan conflict, including numerous models from Great Britain, France, Russia, and Japan, as well as notable machines from Israel, Canada, China, India, Brazil, and other nations. Entries span the history and scope of military aircraft from bombers and fighters to transports, trainers, reconnaissance craft, sea planes, and helicopters, with each capsule history combining nuts-and-bolts technical data with the story of that model's evolution and use. Together, these portraits offer an exciting, well-researched tribute to visionary designers and builders as well as courageous pilots and crews across the globe, and tell a vivid tale of how air power became such a decisive factor in modern warfare.

The B-26 Marauder was a formidable weapon in the campaign to defeat Hitler's armies, and, in the words of his first copilot, ""Louis Rehr ""was the best there was"" flying it. This memoir, which benefits from forty years of research on the combat history of the B-26, contributions from comrades, and an extensive collection of rare photographs, describes Rehr's experiences, including five night-bombing missions he volunteered to fly in 1944 and accounts of attacks by Me-262 jets in late April of 1945. Rehr, a squadron commander with the 323rd Bombardment Group, earned 12 air medals, five battle stars, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and the Croix de Guerre with Silver Star.