Full Description
At the outbreak of hostilities in 1939, many of the aircraft in service with Britain and Commonwealth countries were outdated, and the RAF had to urgently expand production of the new types, such as the superb Supermarine Spitfire fighter and twin-engined de Havilland Mosquito. British & Commonwealth Fighter Aircraft of World War II is a detailed guide to all the fighter types deployed by the RAF, RAAF, RCAF and RNZAF from 1939 to 1945. Organised chronologically by type, this book includes all-time classics, such as the Hawker Hurricane fighter that was so crucially effective during the Battle of Britain; the highly-adaptable Bristol Beaufighter, which was deployed as a torpedo bomber, night-fighter and maritime patrol aircraft; the Supermarine Spitfire, Britain's most accomplished World War II fighter and one of the greats of all time; and the Curtiss Kittyhawk fighter-bomber, a stalwart of the North African campaign. The guide is illustrated with profile artworks and three-views, as well as two-page dynamic artworks of some of the key aircraft in service, such as the rocket-armed Hawker Typhoon that menaced German communications during the Normandy campaign. Illustrated with more than 100 authentic artworks with accurate markings and camouflage, British & Commonwealth Fighter Aircraft of World War II is an essential reference guide for modellers and military aviation enthusiasts.
Contents
Introduction
**Single Engine Fighters ** Hawker Fury Grumman Goblin Gloster Gauntlet Gloster Gladiator Hawker Hurricane Supermarine Spitfire Boulton Paul Defiant Brewster Buffalo Bell Airacobra Curtiss Mohawk Curtiss Tomahawk Curtiss Kittyhawk Hawker Typhoon Hawker Tempest North American Mustang Republic Thunderbolt Commonwealth Boomerang
**Twin Engine fighters ** Bristol Blenheim Westland Whirlwind Douglas Havoc Bristol Beaufighter de Havilland Mosquito
Naval Fighters Blackburn Skua Blackburn Roc Fairey Fulmar Hawker Sea Hurricane Grumman Martlet/Wildcat Vought Corsair Grumman Hellcat Supermarine Seafire Fairey Firefly Hawker Sea Fury
Jets Gloster Meteor de Havilland Vampire
