Images of War - Flying Legends of World War II Archive and Colour Photos of Famous Allied Aircraft

More than thirty Allied Forces' WWII aircraft types are illustrated in many rare and previously unpublished black and white and color photographs. Each type is described giving vital data on development history, combat record, famous pilots and significant air battles. Performance, range and weapon loads are also included. The unique color photographs are from the collection of the late William B. Slate, an aviation photographer who strove to capture the thrilling perspective that can only come from close-up, in-flight vantage points from an aircraft flying in formation. Title Page 2 Copyright Page 3 Table of Contents 5 Dedication 6 Acknowledgements 7 Author’s Note 8 Introduction 10 Chapter 1 - Keep Them Flying 14 Salutes 14 The Movement 17 Chapter 2 - Taming the Sky: Trainers 21 Pilot Preparer: Boeing Stearman PT-17/N2S Kaydet/Yellow Peril 22 Pilot Teacher: Vultee BT-13/SNV Valiant 24 Pilot Maker: North American AT-6/SNJ Texan 26 Chapter 3 - Commanding the Sky: Fighters 28 Fork-Tailed Devil: Lockheed P-38 Lightning 29 Tank Buster: Bell P-39 Airacobra 31 Bird of Prey: Curtiss P-40 Warhawk 33 Jug: Republic P-47 Thunderbolt 35 Thoroughbred: North American P-51 Mustang 36 Innovative Newcomer: Bell P-59 Airacomet 40 Night Stalker: Northrop P-61 Black Widow 42 Big Brother: Bell P-63 King Cobra 44 Fighting Kitten: Grumman F4F Wildcat 46 Ferocious Feline: Grumman F6F Hellcat 49 Bent-wing Bird: Vought F4U Corsair 51 Steadfast Defender: Hawker Hurricane 54 Elliptical Beauty: Supermarine Spitfire 56 Chapter 4 - Striking from the Sky: Mud Runners and Heavies 76 Night Pounder: Avro Lancaster 77 Mighty Citadel: Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress 80 Lumbering Giant: Consolidated B-24 Liberator 83 Remarkable Raider: North American B-25 Mitchell 86 Assault Machine: Martin B-26 Marauder 89 Knockout Puncher: Boeing B-29 Superfortress 92 Mayhem Maker: Douglas A-20 Havoc 95 Mud Runner: Douglas A-26 Invader 97 Dive-bombing Diva: Douglas SBD Dauntless 98 Big-Barrelled Besieger: Grumman TBF Avenger 101 Temperamental Beast: Curtiss SB2C Helldiver 104 Dumbo: Consolidated PBY Catalina 107 Wooden Wonder: De Havilland Mosquito 110 Chapter 5 - Supplying through the Sky: Transports 113 Hump Hurdler: Curtiss C-46 Commando 114 Old Reliable: Douglas C-47 Skytrain 117 Author 121 More than thirty Allied Forces' WWII aircraft types are illustrated in many rare and previously unpublished black and white and color photographs. Each type is described giving vital data on development history, combat record, famous pilots and significant air battles. Performance, range and weapon loads are also included. The unique color photographs are from the collection of the late William B. Slate, an aviation photographer who strove to capture the thrilling perspective that can only come from close-up, in-flight vantage points from an aircraft flying in formation. [Elib]