The first English-language book to examine the crucial part air power played in the Soviet-Afghan War. The Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan was fought as much in the air as on the ground. From the high-level bombing raids that blasted rebel-held mountain valleys, to the Mi-24 helicopter gunships and Su-25 jets that accompanied every substantial army operation, Soviet control of the air was a crucial battlefield asset. Vital to every aspect of its operations, Mi-8 helicopters ferried supplies to remote mountain-top observation points and took the bodies of fallen soldiers on their last journey home in An12 'Black Tulips'. But this was not a wholly one-sided conflict. Even before the Afghan rebels began to acquire man-portable surface-to-air missiles such as the controversial US 'Stinger,' they aggressively and imaginatively adapted. They learnt new techniques of camouflage and deception, set up ambushes against low-level attacks, and even launched daring raids on airbases to destroy aircraft on the ground. Featuring information previously unknown in the West, such as the Soviets' combat-testing of Yak-38 'Forger' naval jump jets, Soviet-expert Mark Galeotti examines the rebel, Kabul government and the Soviet operation in Afghanistan, drawing deeply on Western and Russian sources, and including after-action analyses from the Soviet military. Using maps, battlescenes and detailed 'Bird's Eye Views', he paints a comprehensive picture of the air war and describes how, arguably, it was Soviet air power that made the difference between defeat for Moscow and the subsequent stalemate that they decided to disengage from.

With first-hand insight into the into the key role of the US Air Force's fighter-bomber from the Vietnam War through to Operation Desert Storm during the First Gulf War, this book is an unmissable account of some of the most dangerous and demanding missions in the two wars. The advent of the surface-to-air missile (SAM) in the early 1950s threatened the whole concept of aerial bombing from medium and high altitude. Countermeasures were developed during the Korean War, but with little initial success. It was only in the closing stages of the Vietnam War, with the F-4Cww Phantom II (Wild Weasel 4), that this equipment started to become successful enough to allow a substantial investment in converting 116 F-4E Phantom IIs into dedicated SEAD aircraft. This move introduced a new generation of anti-radar missiles which became invaluable in later operations including operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Northern Watch over Iraq. This volume features dynamic archival photography from crews who flew the jet, alongside mission accounts and technical details of the development and fielding of the F-4 Wild Weasel in its various iterations. Including specially commissioned artwork of 'sharkmouthed' Phantom IIs in Vietnam jungle camouflage and more modern USAF 'Ghost Gray', this book is the ultimate visual and technical guide to the F-4 Phantom II Wild Weasel Units in combat.

This pictorial book is a history of the F-117 Night Hawk Stealth Fighter containing over 400 color photographs. It is a Roll Call of the F-117 with individual history and photos of each F-117. In addition the book includes a short program history; operating locations and air force bases, production sites associated with the F-117; F-117 Units, F-117 aircraft, and Information and photos of the A-7 and T-38 aircraft used to support the F-117 program. Though the photos cover the full history of the F-117 program, many of the photos were taken in the last two years at bases including Holloman AFB, Nellis AFB, and Edwards AFB.

This volume focuses on the influence of America's Second World War aviation development and experience, subsequent aviation technological advances, and world events, in shaping American choices in military aircraft and associated weapons' development during the few years following the war. It shows how air warfare weapons from the last conflict were carried forward and altered, how new systems evolved from these, and how the choices fared in the next war-Korea. The period was one of remarkable progress in a short span of time via a great many aircraft and weapons programs, and associated technological progress. These systems were of immense importance influencing and growing the engineering, production, and operational capabilities to be exploited for the next generation of weapons that soon followed. Emphasized is the innovative features or new technology and how these contributed to advancing American military aviation, influencing the evolution of follow-on models or types. Included are military prototype, experimental, and research aircraft that are equally important in understanding the history of American aircraft development. Combat employment, progress, and equipment adaptation during the Korean Conflict is then highlighted. Tabulated characteristics are provided of those aircraft that entered production or represented significant technological advances influencing others that follow.

One of the best night fighters of World War II.

The highly anticipated follow-up to Phantom Boys! Once again Richard Pike has brought together brilliant, hitherto unpublished, accounts across eighteen chapters. With both British and American perspectives, Phantom Boys 2 is packed with exhilarating action. Throughout the book Richard Pike captures the drama and emotion of life in the cockpit in vivid detail. With such engrossing stories, readers will be gripped by this captivating book.

The single-engine Junkers Ju 52 first flew in 1930. Designed and built by the Junkers Aircraft Company of Dessau, Germany, the Ju 52 was originally intended as a cargo aircraft. An upgraded model, the Ju 52/3m, was powered by three engines, excelling as an 18-seat airliner. By the late 1930s, hundreds of the safe and reliable Ju 52/3m were serving with airlines in more than 20 countries, including the prewar British Airways. It was used as a bomber by the reestablished Luftwaffe, particularly in the Spanish Civil War. During the Second World War, the Ju 52/3m was the mainstay of the Luftwaffe transport squadrons. Affectionately known as Faithful Old Annie and Iron Annie, the Ju 52/3m was used during the invasions of Norway, the Low Countries, Crete as well as the resupply of Stalingrad and Rommel s Africa Corps. In all, more than 5,000 were built. After the war, production continued in France and Spain. Amazingly, captured Ju 52/3ms were rebuilt postwar and briefly operated as airliners on domestic routes in Great Britain! Today, about 50 Ju 52/3ms survive, with less than ten flying. The Junkers Ju 52/3m is one of the most significant transport airplanes in the history of aviation."

At the A-7 Corsair II's peak in the mid-1980s, some 30 US Navy squadrons flew various versions of the aircraft, including six Naval Air Reserve units, and these many of these units saw action across the Middle East. By the time the jet saw combat in Operation Desert Storm (1991), there remained only two fleet squadrons - many fleet squadrons having either disestablished or transitioned to the F/A 18 Hornet - but both of these units (VA-46 and VA-72) played a major role in the campaign to free Kuwait. The book details the technological development and improvements that were introduced to the airframe post-Vietnam (the FLIR targeting pod from 1979 and AGM-88 HARM missile from 1983 being the most important), and how they shaped operational employment of the aircraft. The jet's combat experiences in conflicts during the 1970s (Cambodia), 1980s (Lebanon, Grenada, Libya and Iran), and 1990s (Iraq) are explained in detail, and Peter Mersky's expert analysis is supported by numerous first-hand accounts from naval aviators that saw action with the A-7 during these campaigns.

The 308ths wide-ranging activities through nearly three years of bitter air warfare are described here by reknowned author C.V. Glines.

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.

This facsimile reprint covers the variety of flying clothing and equipment manufactured by Spalding during the 1920s and 1930s, including flying suits, leather jackets, helmets, face masks, oxygen helmets, gloves and gauntlets, womens flying suits, jackets and coats, leather coats, waders, boots, goggles, and parachutes.

The elegant Sunderland was the RAF's staple maritime patrol aircraft through out WWII. Crucial in the Battle of the Atlantic, the Sunderland was instrumental in defeating the U-Boat menace which threatened to starve the UK into submission. Nicknamed the Flying Porcupine due to its heavy armory of 14 guns, the Sunderland proved an immediate success in battle. Aside from its world-wide use with the RAF, it saw action with the RAAF, RNZAF and RCAF. This is the first book devoted to the Sunderland's WWII service to be published in over a decade.

This book showcases a comprehensive catalog of restored WWII color Kodachrome slides. Many were taken during the heat of battle by individuals trying their hand at capturing moments of wartime service with little or no previous photographic experience. These images age with time, and vast numbers were stored in conditions not always conducive to long-term preservation. The restoration and preservation of these images is vital so that future generations can not only experience the paradox of beauty in wartime, but get a vibrant feeling and sense of the 8th AF's involvement in the conflict with clarity, as the photographers intended.

Ling-Temco-Vought A-7 Corsair II won the 1963 competition for a new attack aircraft. The A-7 design was based on the F-8 Crusader but with many differences. Each individual aircraft history starts with the Contract Manufacturers Number, followed by the Bureau Number, Navy acceptance date, flight records, and where available, crash notes and date sent to Davis-Monthan AFB for storage. The 1,200 aircraft photographs capture the A-7 at literally every phase of its operation: starting with engineering drawings, productio, all but two of the commands that flew the aircraft, storage, salvage, plus accidents and crashes. The 136 patches represent the aircraft, air wings, commands, and squadrons. Its use by the Hellenic Air Force HAF (Greece), Portuguese Air Force, and Royal Thai Navy Division RTND are also represented.

Wings Across the Pacific tells the epic struggle of the generation of pilots who made the dream of crossing the Pacific, a reality. The feats of Lindbergh and others who crossed the Atlantic have been more celebrated. But the Pacific was to flying what Everest was to mountain climbing: the biggest, most implacable, most irresistible challenge on earth. To fly the Pacific meant aiming for tiny islands amid seventy million square miles of ocean, and the slightest mechanical failure - or error of judgment - could mean a watery grave. Amelia Earhart is only one of many who vanished into the Pacific without a trace.

Initially designed as a fast medium bomber, the Junkers Ju 88 was also used as a Zerstoerer heavy fighter by the Luftwaffe. It saw its combat debut over Poland in 1939, and heavy fighter variants saw action on every front up to VE Day. The ultimate Ju 88 fighter variant was the G-model of 1944, which boasted a FuG 220 or 227 radar, an astounding array of cannon and machine gun armament and advanced Junkers Jumo or BMW engines. A dedicated nightfighter, the first Ju 88G-1s entered service with the Nachtjagd in the summer of 1944, replacing Ju 88C/Rs as well as some Bf 110Gs. Despite suffering heavy losses in the final months of the war, Ju 88Gs also inflicted serious casualties on Bomber Command throughout the war. From patrolling over the Bay of Biscay, to the Arctic circle opposing Allied convoys and, most successfully, as radar-equipped nightfighters engaging RAF heavy bombers during defence of the Reich operations from late 1941, this is the story of the Ju 88 aces who menaced Allied aircraft and shipping throughout World War 2.

Based on the author's flight logs and memories, this book recounts four tours of military duty in Vietnam and how tactics and the war effort changed each time.The routine and risk of daily airlift operations and the various base destinations are outlined in chronological order, colored with personal anecdotes.Cargo included everything from elephants to dancing girls, and accidents and errors were all part of the mission. The author describes the work as a ""history-based, humorous, satirical, and bitter recount of a major national wasted effort,"" with commentary on the country's attitudes, costs and the lingering social impact of the war. The book includes personal photographs.

During the American Civil War, General Nathan Bedford Forrest stated that in order to win a battle, "you had to get there the firstest with the mostest". Today in military parlance the "C" designation means only one thing-getting there first with the most! Cargo aircraft are the backbone of today\s military operations. From Operation Vittles to Operation Desert Storm, without the "C" planes the battles would have been lost. This new book is the definitive history of every cargo aircraft that displayed the American flag, from the commercial Douglas C-1 built in 1925, to the newest C-33 designation given to a potential commercial, off-the-shelf transport aircraft to supplement the C-17. The authors have attempted to trace the roots of each of the "C" aircraft. Bill Holder is also the auhtor of McDonnell-Douglas F-15 Eagle: A Photo Chronicle(with Mike Wallace), and One-of-a-Kind Research Aircraft: A History of In-Flight Simulators, Testbeds & Prototypes(with Steve Markman)-both titles are available from Schiffer Publishing Ltd. Scott Vadnais is an Air Force public affairs officer currently assigned to the 325th Fighter Wing. He spent four years at Wright-Patterson AFB working with aircraft acquistions and testing programs including the C-17.

Baroness Kunigunde von Richthofen originally published Mein Kriegstagebuch (My War Diary) in 1937, at a time when tales of heroes of the First World War inspired the youth of a country being prepared for a second war. Mother of Eagles is the culmination of the translation of the war diary, along with numerous facts and information not included in the original work. Follow the youth and wartime exploits of Manfred and Lothar, the leading German aces of World War I, through the eyes of their mother and a nation. Letters to the Barronness from each of her sons intially depict the wartime conditions on the ground, and then evolve into vivid details about the exhiliration of the hunt in the air for ever increasing numbers of enemy planes. This book will not only appeal to those interested in the Red Baron and his ace brother, Lothar, but to anyone who is interested in reading of the civilian life in Germany during the Great War.

In the first half of the 20th century the possibility of flight opened up entirely new avenues of thought and exploration. In the age of H.G. Wells and Biggles, the opening up of the air to balloons and planes- the Royal Flying Corps was founded in 1912 - appealed to concepts of courage and bravery which would be both encouraged and undermined by the experiences of World War I. The sky also held new terrors for everyday people who were now within reach of an airborne enemy- these fears included the possibilities of bombing, poison gas, surveillance and social contol. This duality of fear and enthusiasm drove the Air Raid Precaution movement, while vocal elements in the press and in parliament called for radical plans to cope with apocalyptic scenarios. Here, Michele Haapamaki charts the history of flight and of war in the air in the early twentieth century, addressing the key issues of interwar historiography such as patriotism, fear, masculinity and propaganda.

The previous edition of The Royal Air Force Day by Day has been brought up to date to mark the 100th anniversary of the formation of the RAF. It is a diary of significant daily events providing a fascinating record of the RAF's 100 year history. It describes not only the great air battles and major events, but also the tapestry of activities, traditions and culture that have created the rich heritage of the world's oldest air force. Central to all these themes are the experiences of RAF officers, airmen and women, ground trades and aircrew during war and peacetime. Created in April 1918, the RAF made a major contribution to the final victory in the First World War, but soon found itself fighting for its very existence in the face of savage defence cuts and a vigorous campaign by the Royal Navy and army to control their own air power. Under the guidance and vision of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sir Hugh Trenchard, the foundations of the RAF were established and the junior service became increasingly involved in the many 'air policing' operations that dominated the next twenty years. In the Second World War airpower came of age, and by the end of hostilities in 1945 the RAF had become one of the most powerful air arms in the world. With the decline of the empire, the RAF's role changed as Britain made an increasingly important contribution to NATO. The Service played a vital role in the air defence of the United Kingdom and for some years provided the country's strategic and tactical nuclear deterrent. The ending of the Cold War removed one threat, but others emerged and the RAF was at the centre of operations in the Falklands, the Balkans, two Gulf Wars, the war in Afghanistan and the current conflict in Syria - its most intense operation for twenty-five years - not to mention peacekeeping and international aid operations worldwide. Young in relation to the other two services, there have been enormous changes in the way the RAF has developed its capabilities and culture. These are graphically illustrated in this book, which delivers a compelling mixture of the exceptional, the unusual and the routine. It has been published at the request of the Royal Air Force as part of their centenary celebrations.

Killed in a flying accident in February 1944, Flying Officer William Marsh left behind a personal insight into the life of a desert flyer. Desert Flyer follows Bill Marsh from his early days as a schoolboy, through his RAF training in England and Canada, joins him in his first operational squadron and ultimately his life in North Africa. Originally posted to No. 605 Squadron, Bill Marsh was to have served in the unit in the Far East. However, fate dictated that he was destined for the desert war. He joined No. 274 Squadron and flew Hurricane fighter/bombers against Rommels forces in the North African desert. Graphic descriptions of Marshs eyewitness accounts of the sinking of the Royal Navys aircraft Ark Royal, the aerial dogfights with the Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica, as well as details of his day-to-day life are all recorded within these pages. Over 230 previously unpublished photographs, taken by Bill Marsh, support the text. Utilizing private journals, personal letters, photographs, and flying log books, together with details from squadron operational record books, the author has brought to life the words and photographs recorded by William Marsh, the Desert Flyer.

Among the makers of these unusual aircraft were Focke-Wulf, Flettner and Wiener-Naustdter.

"General Gavin was a very brave man who had great faith in his men. The battle or the weather never stopped him from going to check the troops. He would go in the rain or snow. If the battle was severe, he would crawl from foxhole to foxhole to talk to his men to let them know he was with them. Words cannot explain the love and pride I had for General Gavin." - Walter Woods, World War II aide to General Gavin Lieutenant General James Gavin, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division during WWII, is one of the best-known figures of the war. Beginning as the commander of the 505th Parachute Combat Team that spearheaded the American assault on Sicily in July 1943, Gavin advanced to division command and finally command of US forces in Berlin. Throughout this time he kept a wartime diary that starts in April 1943, as the unit was preparing to go to northern Africa, and continues through to his final entry on 1 September 1945 during the occupation of Berlin. During the war years, Gavin came into close contact with virtually all the leading airborne commanders and many others who would advance to the top levels of Army leadership. His diary includes observations on fellow military and political leaders, such as General Dwight Eisenhower and the British Field Marshal Montgomery, Army operations, and the general's personal life. Gavin was an officer who led by example: on four combat jumps - into Sicily, at Salerno, then Normandy and the Netherlands - he was the first man out the door. Two Distinguished Service Crosses, two Silver Stars, and the Purple Heart rewarded his service. For decades, Gavin kept the existence of the journal a secret; the general's family discovered it among his belongings after his death. Editor Lewis "Bob" Sorley has worked closely with the Gavin family and the Army Heritage Center to prepare the diary for publication. His edited and annotated version includes a prologue and epilogue to frame the entries within the wider scope of the general's life.