Mark A. Chambers - Böcker

On 5 March 1936 Spitfire-prototype K5054 took to the air on its first flight. Eighty years later that same design has come to symbolise the whole history and success of British aviation engineering since the Second World War. Building the Supermarine Spitfire reconstructs this most iconic of aeroplanes through the story of its design, prototyping and construction, as well as the factories, testers and trainers involved in making one of the most remarkable fighter aircraft in history. Featuring a host of previously unpublished photographs, as well as important technical and historical information about the aircraft’s development, this book is a testament to the Spitfire’s enduring legacy and a tribute to the courageous pilots that flew this aerial legend.

The Junkers Aircraft Company of Dessau, Germany forever changed the world of aviation when they produced several aircraft that revolutionised warfare during World War Two. Among them were the Ju 87 Stuka, which was key to the success of the Blitzkrieg, and highly versatile bomber and transport aircraft including Junkers Ju 86, Ju 52, Ju 90/290 and, later, Ju 88. Drawing on a multitude of photographs, diagrams and US government reports, Junkers Military Aircraft of World War Two reveals the history of this innovative aviation company and its many key aircraft that played a vital role in the war. From initiating unprecedented advancements in structural design to producing advanced turbojet engines and radical aircraft that provided a glimpse of the future of aviation, the Junkers Aircraft Company proved to be a true pioneer in the aviation world.

The revolutionary Harrier took to the skies in December 1967, going on to become the star of the Royal Navy and Air Force during the Falkland Islands War in 1982. Its US derivative, the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II, proved equally successful with the Marine Corps in Operations Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Featuring a wealth of rare and previously unpublished photographs and diagrams, this photographic history explores the background that led to the development of this remarkable aircraft. Mark A. Chambers charts the history and output of Hawker Aircraft Ltd from Sopwith onwards, through the Harrier’s development, production, flight testing and operational and combat history, and also considers its future replacement, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. An effective strike fighter for several nations for almost half a century, Harrier’s longevity is testament to its practical design and viability – a truly unique combat aircraft.

Perhaps no other aircraft in aviation history has been such a well-kept secret as the United States’ Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. This cutting-edge aircraft took the art of aerial spying to an unprecedented level and did it all from highly clandestine high-speed spy missions over Communist nations during the late 1960s and 1970s. With the help of breath-taking photographs, Mark Chambers tells the fascinating story of this truly unique aircraft’s design and development as well as its famous and ingenious designer Mr Clarence ‘Kelly’ Johnson.

Since its first flight in May 1958, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II proved to be a tough, rugged and excellent all-weather, air superiority fighter/bomber. From flying fleet defence missions during the Cuban Missile Crisis and performing as an air superiority fighter/bomber during the Vietnam War, to taking out Iraqi surface-to-air missile sites in the Wild Weasel role during Operation Desert Storm, the Phantom II did it all. Other nations have also benefited tremendously from the acquisition of export versions of this remarkable aircraft. Here Mark A. Chambers recounts an illuminating history of this truly unique aircraft’s design and development and relives its glorious record in the Vietnam War, various Arab-Israeli conflicts, the Cold War and Operation Desert Storm.

The Avro Lancaster has endured as a legendary icon of British strategic airpower from the Second World War, the ultimate aerial asset. Tough, rugged and able to perform effectively at high altitudes, the Lancaster fitted the RAF’s need for a heavy, high-altitude bomber.From the initial risky daylight-bombing missions over Europe to the fire-bombing of German cities, the Dambuster Raids to the sinking of the Tirpitz, the Lancaster helped to profoundly secure victory for the Allies in the Second World War.In An Illustrated History of the Avro Lancaster, Mark A. Chambers tells the fascinating story of Avro’s aircraft design philosophy and development, as well as its glorious combat record and operational history in the post-war era, using a wealth of photographs.