|
Showing 1 - 5 of
5 matches in All Departments
World War I witnessed unprecedented growth and innovation in
aircraft design, construction, and as the war progressed - mass
production. Each country generated its own innovations sometimes in
surprising ways - Albatros Fokker, Pfalz, and Junkers in Germany
and Nieuport, Spad, Sopwith and Bristol in France and Britain. This
book focuses on the British approach to fighter design,
construction, and mass production. Initially the French led the way
in Allied fighter development with their Bleriot trainers then
nimble Nieuport Scouts - culminating with the powerful, fast gun
platforms as exemplified by the Spads. The Spads had a major
drawback however, in that they were difficult and counter-intuitive
to fix in the field. The British developed fighters in a very
different way; Tommy Sopwith had a distinctive approach to fighter
design that relied on lightly loaded wings and simple functional
box-girder fuselages. His Camel was revolutionary as it combined
all the weight well forward; enabling the Camel to turn very
quickly - but also making it an unforgiving fighter for the
inexperienced. The Royal Aircraft Factory's SE5a represented
another leap forward with its comfortable cockpit, modern
instrumentation, and inline engine - clearly influenced by both
Spads and German aircraft. Each manufacturer and design team vied
for the upper hand and deftly and quickly appropriated good ideas
from other companies – be they friend or foe. Developments in
tactics and deployment also influenced design - from the early
reconnaissance planes, to turn fighters, finally planes that relied
upon formation tactics, speed, and firepower. Advances were so
great that the postwar industry seemed bland by comparison.
Fighter aircraft were developed by during World War I at an
unprecedented rate, as nascent air forces sought to achieve and
maintain air supremacy. German manufacturers innovated at top
speed, while constantly scrutinizing the development of new enemy
aircraft. The Germans also utilized the concept of systematic
production or modular engineering during the war-Fokker capitalized
on this aspect with all his aircraft built in a similar
fashion-wooden wings with welded steel fuselages. This meant that
they could be disassembled or reassembled quickly in the
field-unlike many Allied aircraft. Pfalz and Albatros were the
first to realize the importance of a streamlined fuselage-the
precursor to all that would follow. Both of these companies built
semi-monocoque fuselages using plywood to develop semi-stressed
skin-the Allies had nothing like this. The Germans also perfect
powerful inline engines, as exemplified by the Albatros fighters.
These engines did not have the gyroscopic effect of the rotary
engines and as such were easier and more stable to fly. Fokker was
slow to give up his rotary engines but once he did, the result was
the iconic Fokker D VII-years ahead of its time and the only
aircraft specifically mentioned in the Treaty of Versailles that
Germany could not build after the war. German Fighter Aircraft in
World War I explores how German fighter aircraft were developed
during the war, the innovations and trials that made the Fokker D
VII possible, and the different makes and types of aircraft. Using
unpublished images including photographs of surviving aircraft,
archive images, and models and replicas, it shows details of
aircraft that were kept top secret during the war. Extensively
illustrated with 140 photos and ten color profiles, this is will be
essential reading for all WWI aviation enthusiasts and modellers.
This book presents the evolution of one of the most famous
French-made fighter aircraft of WWI-the fast, rugged Spad. From
humble beginnings this airplane became the mount for such famous
WWI aces as Frenchmen Georges Guynemer and Rene Fonck, American
Eddie Rickenbacker, Italian Francesco Baracca, and many others.
Illustrated with rare WWI-era photographs, this book examines how
the Spad was conceived, built, and flown. Examples of surviving
Spad aircraft are highlighted, as well as where they may be seen
today all over the world. The book also profiles several
still-existing aerodromes in the US where visitors can see a Spad
being built, such as the Golden Age Air Museum in Pennsylvania. Or
pay a visit to the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in New York and see the
only flying Spad VII replica in the world! Part of the Legends of
Warfare series.
This book presents the evolution and development of perhaps the
most iconic German fighter of WWI-the Fokker Dr. 1 triplane or
"Dreidecker." The Dr. 1 was born from experiments in cantilever
monoplanes and the excellent combat record of the Sopwith triplane,
which appeared at the western front at the end of 1916. Only 320
Fokker Dr.1s were built, yet their imprint on aviation history was
and is far reaching and enduring-perhaps due to those who flew
them. Baron Manfred von Richthofen and his brother Lothar, as well
as Werner Voss, Ernst Udet, and many others, all flew the triplane,
helping burnish their image in collective memory. This book
highlights the design and construction of the legendary Dr. 1, as
well as showcasing many flying replicas and where they can be
found. Also included are selected museums from around the world
where Dr. 1s can currently be seen.
|
You may like...
Aladdin
Robin Williams, Scott Weinger, …
Blu-ray disc
R409
R80
Discovery Miles 800
|