Profusely illustrated history of British and Allied aircraft of the First World War.

A vivid pictorial history: “Buy this book right now. It is rare that ISD gives an instant five-star rating to any new volume, but [this] is a rare book.” —Indy Squadron Dispatch 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 counterintuitive 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, and finally planes that relied upon formation tactics, speed, and firepower. This book tells their story through extensive photos and accompanying text. “Handy not only as an aircraft model reference, but also as great reading for all history fans.” —DetailScaleView “Sidebars add important information at the proper place.” —Air Power History

In this book, Tim Jenkins examines the factory worker poisonings and suspect government procurement procedures that resulted in Allied success in the air during First World War. The early development of aircraft during World War I was an important yet dangerous part of the war effort seen in the First World War and although many descriptions of daring aerial combat have been written, the risk to those involved in the manufacture of such machines remains less well known. Tetrachlorethane, a poisonous solvent contained in aircraft dope, was responsible for a number of civilian deaths in aircraft factories and although the British knew the substance to be lethal, they were much slower than their American and German counterparts in sourcing alternatives. In this groundbreaking book, Tim Jenkins explores the use of Tetrachlorethan and brings to light the concerns and warnings voiced by the international medical profession. His examination considers the government's reasons for its use of the poisonous solvent to create a compelling yet scholarly account which takes in corruption, negligence and wartime manufacture. This book will be vital to scholars studying military production during the First World War.

Allied Aircraft Piston Engines of World War II, now in its second edition, coalesces multiple aspects of war-driven aviation and its amazing technical accomplishments, leading to the allied victory during the second world war. Not by chance, the air battles that took place then defined much of the outcome of one of the bloodiest conflicts in modern history. Forward-thinking airplane design had to be developed quickly as the war raged on, and the engines that propelled them were indeed the focus of intense cutting-edge engineering efforts. Flying higher, faster, and taking the enemy down before they even noticed your presence became a matter of life or death for the allied forces. Allied Aircraft Piston Engines of World War II, Second Edition, addresses British- and American-developed engines. It looks at the piston engines in detail as they supported amazing wins both in the heat of the air battles, and on the ground supplying and giving cover to the troops. This new edition, fully revised by the original author, Graham White, offers new images and information, in addition to expanded specifications on the Rolls-Royce/ Packard Merlin and the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engines. Jay Leno, a known enthusiast, wrote the Foreword.

Over 250 rare photographs depict one of the greatest industrial feats of all time: America's massive production of World War II fighters and bombers. An introduction and captions outline the history.

Few industrial phenomena have been as dramatic as the United States’ mid-20th-century shift from peacetime to wartime production. The American Aircraft Factory in World War II documents the production of legendary warbirds by companies like Boeing, North American, Curtiss, Consolidated, Douglas, Grumman, and Lockheed. It was a production unmatched by any other country and a crucial part of why the allies won the war. Author Bill Yenne considers the prewar governmental acts that got the plants rolling, as well as the gender shift that occurred as women entered the work force like never before. He also describes the construction of megafactories like Willow Run, factory design considerations, and the postwar conversion back to peacetime production. Illustrated with 175 period photographs—including 50 rare color photos never before seen in print.

This fully illustrated volume explores German military aviation during WWI through archival photographs and authentically detailed replicas. Fighter aircraft were developed 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 modular engineering, which allowed them to disassembled or reassembled their aircraft quickly in the field. The pinnacle of their aeronautical innovations was the iconic Fokker D VII—the only aircraft specifically mentioned in the Treaty of Versailles, which forbade Germany from building it after the war. German Fighter Aircraft in World War I explores how German fighter aircraft were developed during the war, the advancements 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, this volume 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 modelers.

World War II was the greatest airborne clash of arms in history. America?s aircraft manufacturers went from a near standing start in the late 1930?s to producing tens of thousands of planes per year. By the end of the war, they built a phenomenal 300,000 planes, a feat that most (including the German high command) thought impossible. They manufactured more aircraft in one year than had been produced in all the pre-war years since the Wright brothers invented the airplane. The Los Angeles area was the center of this remarkable effort, being the headquarters for Douglas Aircraft, Hughes, Lockheed, North American Aviation, Northrop and Vultee, as well as countless subcontractors. Thousands of aircraft workers enlisted or were drafted, leaving manufacturers with huge orders and few experienced employees. They responded by hiring women, students, disabled people and others who might not otherwise have been considered for production positions. Housewives and others with little mechanical experience rolled up their sleeves, learned fast, and brought forth an industrial achievement that ranks among America?s greatest accomplishments. Aircraft manufacturers, museums and libraries have generously opened their special collections of photographs to the author for use in this volume. Many have never been published before.