The Encyclopedia of weapons of World War II : the comprehensive guide to over 1,500 weapons systems, including tanks, small arms, warplanes, artillery, ships, and submarines

World War II spawned a massive variety of weapons systems, many complex and confusing, but all fascinating. This lavishly illustrated volume details the military hardware used in the air, on the seas, and on the ground, by forces around the globe between 1939 and 1945. Covers 1,500 weapons systems, including tanks, small arms, warplanes, artillery, ships, and submarines. Each weapons system is illustrated by detailed profile artwork, together with a photograph showing it in service. Accompanying the illustrative material is detailed text that lists each weapon's service history, the numbers built, and its variants. In this way, readers can compare, for example, the German Messerschmitt Me 109 with the British Spitfire and the American Mustang, or the French Carb B tank with the German Panther. Answers a myriad of questions such as: What were the design features of the German battleship Bismarck? What was the caliber and effective range of the famous Lee-Enfield bolt action rifle? The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II answers all of these questions, and thousands more. In addition, each weapons system has a specifications table that lists performance, dimensions, armament, and crew details. More than 800 color and black and white photographs, more than 600 full-color illustrations. 9" x 11 1/2". A lavishly illustrated compendium of military hardware covers everything that fought in the air, on the ground, and on the seas during World War II. There are more than 500 separate items of equipment used between 1939 and 1945, from combat handguns to massive aircraft carriers. More than 600 full-color artworks accompany entries that feature a detailed history of each weapon's design and development, along with a full specifications table that includes performance, dimensions, armament, and crew details. A must-have for military buffs. From the obsolescent multi-turreted T-35 tank to the mighty Essex-class aircraft carrier and the V-2 rocket, the Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II examines key weapons of every type. The volume includes more than 1500 weapons, from handguns to jet fighters. Each weapon system is illustrated with a detailed profile artwork or a photograph showing the weapon in action. Expertly-written text provides each weapon's service history, specifications and its variants. An easy-to-read illustrated compendium of the military hardware--in the air, on the seas, and on the ground--which fought around the globe between 1939 and 1945