Thanks to the generosity of Schiffer Publishing, I have been given the opportunity to review seven new books it its Legends Of Warfare Aviation series.
Schiffer has compiled an impressive library chronicling the importance and role these seven aircraft (six Allied and one Axis) that saw service during the turbulent years of World War II.
Of all the wars the United States has taken part in WWII has always fascinated me the most.
During WWII both the Axis and Allied forces produced some of the most innovative and destruction war machines for land, sea and air the world had ever seen in a relatively short period of time.
Without a doubt war is a horrible thing: pestilence, death and destruction are never good things.
Author David Doyle is to be commended and congratulated on researching and writing some outstanding books about six Allied aircraft.
Each book is jam-packed with archival and current photographs detailing every aspect of each aircraft.
From full exterior and interior shots and close-up examinations of each component including engines, pilot and crew locations, weapons and other aircraft accessories and equipment.
The aircraft are shown in still stationary shots, in hangers, on airstrips and aircraft carriers (when applicable), in flight, engaged in air and ground combat and even in crash and shot-down scenarios.
The F6F Hellcat (Grumman’s Ace Maker In World War II) distinguished itself as the backbone of the carrier-based aircraft against the Japanese.
Reliable, fast and deadly the Hellcat boasted a huge kill ratio made possible by its .50-caliber machine guns, bomb payload, and unequaled ground and air victories. Appropriately named the Hellcat it sent many of the enemy to Hell’s fiery domain.
The book, like all the other books in the series, features a spot-gloss title block and a full-color, wraparound aircraft photo on heavy cover stock that contains slightly glossy pages that perfectly display all of the interior photos.
I especially like the current color photos that really spotlight the intricate details of each aircraft.
The P-51 Mustang, Vol. 1 (North America’s Mk. I, A, B, and C Models In World War II) showcases one of the most recognizable aircraft of WWII.
Fast, high maneuverable and numerous in numbers, the Mustangs successfully fought the Axis forces from the beginning of the war to its end.
Look for exhaustive details about its construction, design and capabilities complemented with photographs.
One of the most deadly aircraft during the war was the P-47 Thunderbolt (Republic’s Mighty “Jug” In World War II).
With over 7,000 enemy aircraft destroyed by it the Thunderbolt also boasted an impressive destructive wave of trucks, tanks, train cars and locomotives.
The single-engine fighter. Though small by fighter standards, was deadly, heavily armed and nimble and fast enough to avoid most enemy aircraft.
(The B-24G to B-24M Liberators in World War II)-Consolidated B-24, Vol. 2, was the world’s most-produced heavy bomber, multi-engine aircraft and most produced aircraft in the U.S. military of all time.
Close to 19,000 Liberators were produced.
Boasting nose and rear gun turrets, four engines, an upper fuselage gun turret and an impressive bomb carriage capability the Liberator is just as intimidating today as it was during the war.
Take a moment to inspect the interior equipment, instrumentation, crew locations and construction.
As beautifully designed, as it was deadly, the Liberator was the bomber workhorse of the Allied fighting force.
The twin-tail-fuselage P-38 Lighting, Vol. I (Lockheed's XP-38 to P-38H In World War) was responsible for escorting American bombers over Axis controlled Europe.
Known as the “Fork-tailed Devil: the P-38 Lighting lived up to its name: fast, deadly and able to strike anywhere and at anytime.
The single pilot escort aircraft packed a punch with its forward mounted machine guns and talent for striking fast, accurately and on target.
The B-26 Marauder (Martin’s Medium Bomber In World War II) may have been small by bomber standards but it was no less dangerous and deadly.
Front, rear, bottom and side gun emplacements made this fast and nimble bomber a threat in the air as well as on bombing runs.
The Marauder proudly boasted a low loss-rate and a payload twice as large as its Axis counterpart.
Widely used and respected the Marauder was designed with firepower and destructive capabilities unlike any other aircraft of the time.
As impressive as the Allied military forces were the Axis powers (specifically the German/Nazi) fighting machine was in some respects much more technologically advanced.
If not for the sheer number of the Allied forces and some serious military blunders and miscalculations on the part of Nazi-the tide of war could have very well been on the side of the Nazi and they would have won.
Author Ron MacKay examines one of the Nazi/Luftwaffe’s most nefarious aircraft: the Messerschmitt Bf 110 (The Luftwaffe’s Fighter-Destroyer In World War II).
The twin-engine fighter effectively warded off fighters as it accompanied bomber formations.
It also performed ground-attack duties, which it was perfectly suited for its weapons complement that included a heavy cannon and machine gun gallery. It could also functioned as a night fighter.
The German’s were innovative and inspired aircraft designers. The Bf 110 is a testament to their ingenuity. Its stealth capabilities coupled with its night flight strike innovation made it a formidable foe against Allied forces.
All the books it the Legends Of Warfare Aviation series are filled with interesting historical accounts, detailed examinations of each aircraft, fascinating insights into the war as seen form both sides and ripe with compelling photographs that bring the war years to life.
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