Adam Tooby – illustratör

The first illustrated study in English of the Finnish Air Force’s battle to repel the Soviet invaders during the Winter War, one of the greatest David-and-Goliath air battles in history.In 1939, the Soviet Union invaded its neighbour Finland, sparking the Winter War. While Finland was heavily outnumbered in all respects, in few respects was the contest so uneven as in the air. In this book, veteran Finnish aviation historian Kari Stenman draws on his decades of research to present the first account in English of the Finnish Air Force’s defence of the country’s skies, a clash that pitted its 114 combat aircraft against the Soviets’ 2,318.He explains that, equipped initially with a handful of British and Dutch aircraft, Finland’s air force adopted similar guerrilla tactics to its infantry. Fokker D.XXI interceptors were scattered to remote landing grounds to ambush the Soviets and give an impression of strength, while the bombers were first used for long-range reconnaissance and harassment. Over the course of the war, the Finns received new Gladiators, Fiat G.50s and French MS.406s, until at the close of the war, all flying units were thrown in to repel the Russian invasion across the frozen Gulf of Finland.Illustrated with previously unpublished photos, superb original artwork, 3D diagrams and maps, this reveals for the first time the full story of how Finnish aviators fought for their country’s independence.

The story of Germany's disastrous last cross-Channel Blitz in early 1944, which left the Luftwaffe devastated and barely able to oppose the D-Day landings. Operation Steinbock, or as it became known, the ‘Baby Blitz’ was the Luftwaffe’s last sustained night bomber offensive against the United Kingdom. In this book, renowned Luftwaffe historian Chris Goss explains how and why the Luftwaffe's last cross-Channel campaign was such a contrast to the Battle of Britain and subsequent Blitz of 1940–41. In 1944, the Luftwaffe’s under-trained, hard-pressed, and inexperienced bomber crews were out-thought and outfought by their opponents, who combined the latest ground-controlled radar with powerful new night fighters and advanced anti-aircraft defences, including radar-assisted guns and even anti-aircraft rockets. Packed with dramatic original illustrations, explanatory diagrams, 2D maps of the strategic situation and 3D maps recreating key missions, this book tells the story of Operation Steinbock and its crucial consequences. The Germans' last air campaign over England ended in late May 1944, with the Luftwaffe having lost hundreds of much-needed aircraft and crews. Just days later, the Allies stormed ashore across the beaches of Normandy, and the Luftwaffe could do little to stop them.

As Japan attacked in 1942, the reeling Allies formed a joint command, the first of the war, which fought until defeat at Java Sea. Fully illustrated, this explores this pioneering fleet.The Japanese strike on Pearl Harbor and the near-simultaneous invasions of the Philippines and Malaya were soon followed by the invasion of the oil-rich Dutch East Indies. In mid-January, the American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) Command was created to unify the available forces, of which its naval component would be its most integrated. It was the first joint Allied fleet of World War II.In this book, naval historian Angus Konstam studies this almost-forgotten formation, which was charged with defending the Malay Barrier, and preventing Japanese access to the Indian Ocean and Australian waters. Following its fleetingly successful debut at the Battle of Belikpapan in January 1942, a remorseless, grinding erosion of ABDACOM’s forces followed, during a string of naval clashes fought amid the straits and islands in the southern Java Sea. Outnumbered and without adequate air cover, it was a hopeless task, and ended in the fleet’s destruction at the battles of Java Sea and the Sunda Strait.Packed with illustrations and photos, this traces the rise and fall of ABDACOM’s naval squadron – a unique mixture of cruisers and destroyers from four Allied navies – and how it performed when thrust into the path of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

An authoritative, illustrated analysis of the official French Navy in World War II, under the command of the Third Republic and of Vichy.At the outbreak of World War II, the Marine nationale was the most powerful navy in continental Europe, unified in its purpose of defending the nation and the colonial empire. It was the product of the unique 1920s–30s French naval doctrine and armaments development, as a continental power with worldwide interests. The fall of France shattered this unity, as the fleet split between loyalty to Vichy and Free France.In this book, Hugues Canuel presents a sharp, focused operational study of the official French Navy in World War II, from action alongside its British allies in 1939–40 to the fiery end of the Vichy fleet in Toulon harbour in 1942. Based on a wealth of French, British, and American archive material and drawing on the author's years of research, it explores France's warships and their capabilities, the roles the fleet was structured to perform, and the combat they saw – including operations off Norway and tackling German raiders in the Atlantic, operations in Indochina, and the battle with the Allies in Operation Torch.Illustrated throughout with rare photos, spectacular battlescenes, 3D diagrams of engagements and fleet formations, and a map of France’s naval responsibilities, this book is an essential guide to one of the least-known major navies of World War II.

The Second Battle of Sirte was a key naval clash in the Mediterranean, and a vital moment in the struggle for Malta's survival.Malta was the key to the hard-fought naval campaign being waged in the Mediterranean, a link in the vital Axis supply lines between Italy and North Africa. Struggling under a sustained Axis bombing campaign, Malta depended on convoys of supplies to survive. Axis air formations dominated the skies, making any attempt to relieve the island extremely hazardous. In December 1941, a convoy from the east led to an inconclusive clash with the Italians at the First Battle of Sirte. In late March 1942, the situation escalated. The decisive clash came on the afternoon of 22 March, when British destroyers launched a series of torpedo attacks against Italian ships. At dawn, Axis aircraft appeared and a series of intense air attacks followed. Although three of the convoy’s four ships reached Malta, they were sunk days later. Still, it was enough to buy Malta the time it needed to remain in the fight.This highly illustrated title by renowned naval historian Angus Konstam demonstrates the importance of radar, intelligence and airpower, and above all determination and grit in the face of a superior enemy.

In this illustrated study, an acknowledged expert charts the development of close air support and battlefield air interdiction in theory and practice during World War II.In World War I the use of aircraft to support ground operations was in its infancy, and it was only after the start of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 and the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937 that close air support (CAS) and battlefield air interdiction (BAI) began to evolve towards a recognizably modern form. Using innovative all-new artwork from renowned illustrator Adam Tooby, Richard P. Hallion shows how the Blitzkrieg campaigns of 1939–41 saw the highly effective deployment of German dive-bombers, while the British, French and Soviet air forces strove to counter the Luftwaffe’s CAS measures with variable degrees of success.The British and Americans developed their own CAS doctrine in the Mediterranean during 1941–43, further refining it during the campaigns in Western Europe in 1944–45. Meanwhile during the fighting in Asia and the Pacific, the Japanese and their Allied opponents employed CAS techniques.Full-colour tactical diagrams, carefully chosen archive photographs and insightful analysis reveal how by 1945, Allied CAS doctrine had reached new levels of sophistication, boosted by the growing availability of dedicated aircraft, ordnance and communications technology.

A definitive technical guide to the Lockheed A-12 plus coverage of the interceptor and mother/daughter drone developments.During the early years of the Cold War, the most effective way to gather strategic intelligence about the Soviet Union and its allies was manned overflight. Lockheed’s U-2 was spectacularly successful in this role, however, much to the concern of US President Eisenhower, its shape meant that it could be tracked on Russian radars. Given the highly sensitive nature of such flights, the President insisted that every effort should be made to reduce to zero the U-2’s radar cross section (RCS), thereby making the aircraft invisible. When this was proven to be impossible, the stage was set for a U-2 replacement.Following a competition between Lockheed and Convair, the former was declared the winner and the result was the A-12. Designed to incorporate ‘stealth’ features before the term was even coined, the A-12 has to date proven to be the fastest, highest flying jet aircraft ever built.Featuring illustrations throughout, this book also explores a two-seat variation of the design built as an advanced interceptor – the YF-12.

A definitive technical guide to the Lockheed A-12 plus coverage of the interceptor and mother/daughter drone developments.During the early years of the Cold War, the most effective way to gather strategic intelligence about the Soviet Union and its allies was manned overflight. Lockheed''s U-2 was spectacularly successful in this role, however, much to the concern of US President Eisenhower, its shape meant that it could be tracked on Russian radars. Given the highly sensitive nature of such flights, the President insisted that every effort should be made to reduce to zero the U-2''s radar cross section (RCS), thereby making the aircraft invisible. When this was proven to be impossible, the stage was set for a U-2 replacement.Following a competition between Lockheed and Convair, the former was declared the winner and the result was the A-12. Designed to incorporate ''stealth'' features before the term was even coined, the A-12 has to date proven to be the fastest, highest flying jet aircraft ever built.Featuring illustrations throughout, this book also explores a two-seat variation of the design built as an advanced interceptor – the YF-12.

A definitive technical guide to the Lockheed A-12 plus coverage of the interceptor and mother/daughter drone developments.During the early years of the Cold War, the most effective way to gather strategic intelligence about the Soviet Union and its allies was manned overflight. Lockheed''s U-2 was spectacularly successful in this role, however, much to the concern of US President Eisenhower, its shape meant that it could be tracked on Russian radars. Given the highly sensitive nature of such flights, the President insisted that every effort should be made to reduce to zero the U-2''s radar cross section (RCS), thereby making the aircraft invisible. When this was proven to be impossible, the stage was set for a U-2 replacement.Following a competition between Lockheed and Convair, the former was declared the winner and the result was the A-12. Designed to incorporate ''stealth'' features before the term was even coined, the A-12 has to date proven to be the fastest, highest flying jet aircraft ever built.Featuring illustrations throughout, this book also explores a two-seat variation of the design built as an advanced interceptor – the YF-12.

A definitive technical guide to the Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk, the world’s first operational, stealth interdictor.Developed by the legendary Lockheed ‘Skunk Works,’ the F-117 Nighthawk was a phenomenal technical achievement. Featuring cutaways, detail plates and battlescene artwork, this book tells the incredible story of the design of the machine, from the revolutionary materials used to the highly advanced computer technology that was employed to make the Stealth Fighter invisible to enemy radar.Written by the world’s leading authority on the aircraft from Lockheed’s ‘Skunk Works’, Paul Crickmore, this book reveals the impact the Stealth had in combat over Panama, Yugoslavia and most notably the Persian Gulf.

A definitive technical guide to the Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk, the world''s first operational, stealth interdictor.Developed by the legendary Lockheed ''Skunk Works,'' the F-117 Nighthawk was a phenomenal technical achievement. Featuring cutaways, detail plates and battlescene artwork, this book tells the incredible story of the design of the machine, from the revolutionary materials used to the highly advanced computer technology that was employed to make the Stealth Fighter invisible to enemy radar.Written by the world''s leading authority on the aircraft from Lockheed''s ''Skunk Works'', Paul Crickmore, this book reveals the impact the Stealth had in combat over Panama, Yugoslavia and most notably the Persian Gulf.

A definitive technical guide to the Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk, the world''s first operational, stealth interdictor.Developed by the legendary Lockheed ''Skunk Works,'' the F-117 Nighthawk was a phenomenal technical achievement. Featuring cutaways, detail plates and battlescene artwork, this book tells the incredible story of the design of the machine, from the revolutionary materials used to the highly advanced computer technology that was employed to make the Stealth Fighter invisible to enemy radar.Written by the world''s leading authority on the aircraft from Lockheed''s ''Skunk Works'', Paul Crickmore, this book reveals the impact the Stealth had in combat over Panama, Yugoslavia and most notably the Persian Gulf.

A definitive technical guide to the Junkers Ju 87 Stuka.In the opening days of the Blitzkrieg campaign, few aircraft could invoke as much terror as the Junkers Ju 87. Nicknamed the “Stuka” (an abbreviation of Sturzkampfflugzeug – the German term for “dive-bomber”), the Ju 87 was perhaps the most feared tactical bomber of the ETO. With its fixed landing gear and inverted gull wings, the Stuka was the most recognizable aircraft of the Blitzkrieg era.With profile plates, close-up photographs and battlescene artwork, this book reveals the design and development history of the aircraft and how the inclusion of its dive-activated siren changed it from a reliable and sturdy dive bomber into a psychological weapon, spreading panic in ground units. Mike Guardia goes on to explain how the Stuka became easy prey for Allied aircraft and how its influence waned in the final years of the war.

A definitive technical guide to the Junkers Ju 87 Stuka.In the opening days of the Blitzkrieg campaign, few aircraft could invoke as much terror as the Junkers Ju 87. Nicknamed the “Stuka” (an abbreviation of Sturzkampfflugzeug – the German term for “dive-bomber”), the Ju 87 was perhaps the most feared tactical bomber of the ETO. With its fixed landing gear and inverted gull wings, the Stuka was the most recognizable aircraft of the Blitzkrieg era.With profile plates, close-up photographs and battlescene artwork, this book reveals the design and development history of the aircraft and how the inclusion of its dive-activated siren changed it from a reliable and sturdy dive bomber into a psychological weapon, spreading panic in ground units. Mike Guardia goes on to explain how the Stuka became easy prey for Allied aircraft and how its influence waned in the final years of the war.

A definitive technical guide to the Junkers Ju 87 Stuka.In the opening days of the Blitzkrieg campaign, few aircraft could invoke as much terror as the Junkers Ju 87. Nicknamed the “Stuka” (an abbreviation of Sturzkampfflugzeug – the German term for “dive-bomber”), the Ju 87 was perhaps the most feared tactical bomber of the ETO. With its fixed landing gear and inverted gull wings, the Stuka was the most recognizable aircraft of the Blitzkrieg era.With profile plates, close-up photographs and battlescene artwork, this book reveals the design and development history of the aircraft and how the inclusion of its dive-activated siren changed it from a reliable and sturdy dive bomber into a psychological weapon, spreading panic in ground units. Mike Guardia goes on to explain how the Stuka became easy prey for Allied aircraft and how its influence waned in the final years of the war.

A definitive technical guide to the long-nosed Curtiss P-40 Warhawk variants.The initial version of the Curtiss P-40, designated by the manufacturer as the Hawk H-81, combined the established airframe of the earlier radial-powered H-75 (P-36) fighter with the Allison V-1710 liquid-cooled engine. The year was 1939, and the marriage was one of expediency. With the threat of war in Europe growing by the day, the US Army Air Corps brass wanted a modern fighter that would combine the sterling handling qualities of the P-36 with a boost in performance that would make it competitive with the new types emerging in Germany and England, and the generals wanted the new plane immediately.As this book details, the P-40 delivered admirably, and though it never reached the performance levels of the Bf 109 or Spitfire, the sturdy fighter nevertheless made a place in history for itself as the Army''s frontline fighter when the US entered World War II. Long-nosed P-40s initially saw combat in North Africa, flying in Royal Air Force squadrons. They also fought in the skies over Pearl Harbor and the Philippines. But the long-nosed P-40 is best known as the shark-faced fighter flown by the American Volunteer Group – the legendary "Flying Tigers" – over Burma and China during 1941–42.

A definitive technical guide to the long-nosed Curtiss P-40 Warhawk variants.The initial version of the Curtiss P-40, designated by the manufacturer as the Hawk H-81, combined the established airframe of the earlier radial-powered H-75 (P-36) fighter with the Allison V-1710 liquid-cooled engine. The year was 1939, and the marriage was one of expediency. With the threat of war in Europe growing by the day, the US Army Air Corps brass wanted a modern fighter that would combine the sterling handling qualities of the P-36 with a boost in performance that would make it competitive with the new types emerging in Germany and England, and the generals wanted the new plane immediately.As this book details, the P-40 delivered admirably, and though it never reached the performance levels of the Bf 109 or Spitfire, the sturdy fighter nevertheless made a place in history for itself as the Army''s frontline fighter when the US entered World War II. Long-nosed P-40s initially saw combat in North Africa, flying in Royal Air Force squadrons. They also fought in the skies over Pearl Harbor and the Philippines. But the long-nosed P-40 is best known as the shark-faced fighter flown by the American Volunteer Group – the legendary "Flying Tigers" – over Burma and China during 1941–42.

A fully illustrated technical guide to the Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot.The Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot was the Soviet Air Force''s first mass-produced jet purposely designed for the close air support (CAS) role and was a simple, effective and durable attack aircraft that, by 2012, had seen combat in no fewer than 40 conflicts. Some 630 Su-25s were built between 1979 and 1991, as well as 185 export Su-25Ks, 70 Su-25UB/UBK Frogfoot-B two-seaters that rolled off the production line at the aviation plant in Ulan Ude (UUAP), Russia. The Frogfoot is known as the most cost-effective ground attack aircraft available to the Russian Air Force (RuAF) and, between the RuAF and the Russian Navy''s aviation assets, there are some 200–220 Su-25s still in operation. Illustrated throughout with photographs and colour artwork, this title examines the development history, evolution and combat performance of the Su-25 Frogfoot, and details its effectiveness and reliability. Such is the reputation the Su-25 has earned, 19 of the 25 nations to have deployed a Frogfoot variant continue to operate them today.

A fully illustrated technical guide to the Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot.The Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot was the Soviet Air Force''s first mass-produced jet purposely designed for the close air support (CAS) role and was a simple, effective and durable attack aircraft that, by 2012, had seen combat in no fewer than 40 conflicts. Some 630 Su-25s were built between 1979 and 1991, as well as 185 export Su-25Ks, 70 Su-25UB/UBK Frogfoot-B two-seaters that rolled off the production line at the aviation plant in Ulan Ude (UUAP), Russia. The Frogfoot is known as the most cost-effective ground attack aircraft available to the Russian Air Force (RuAF) and, between the RuAF and the Russian Navy''s aviation assets, there are some 200–220 Su-25s still in operation. Illustrated throughout with photographs and colour artwork, this title examines the development history, evolution and combat performance of the Su-25 Frogfoot, and details its effectiveness and reliability. Such is the reputation the Su-25 has earned, 19 of the 25 nations to have deployed a Frogfoot variant continue to operate them today.

The first volume of a multi-part study of the Bf 109, one of the most famous aircraft of World War II, covering the A to D variants.From the nascent days of the Spanish Civil War to the desperate, final defence of the stricken Reich, the Messerchmitt Bf 109 was the Luftwaffe’s signature fighter. From the very beginning of its combat career it came to symbolize what could be achieved with a modern monoplane fighter aircraft, instilling fear and respect into Allied pilots wherever it was encountered. 35,000 of the ubiquitous Messerschmitts were eventually built, making it the most-produced fighter in history.This is the first Air Vanguard volume to cover the Bf 109, detailing models A–D. Featuring stunning aerial photos the title explores in depth the technical characteristics and combat performance of the early Bf 109s, including their combat debut in the Spanish Civil War, their employment in the invasion of Poland and showing how the type became one of the most famous names in aviation history.

The first volume of a multi-part study of the Bf 109, one of the most famous aircraft of World War II, covering the A to D variants.From the nascent days of the Spanish Civil War to the desperate, final defence of the stricken Reich, the Messerchmitt Bf 109 was the Luftwaffe''s signature fighter. From the very beginning of its combat career it came to symbolize what could be achieved with a modern monoplane fighter aircraft, instilling fear and respect into Allied pilots wherever it was encountered. 35,000 of the ubiquitous Messerschmitts were eventually built, making it the most-produced fighter in history.This is the first Air Vanguard volume to cover the Bf 109, detailing models A–D. Featuring stunning aerial photos the title explores in depth the technical characteristics and combat performance of the early Bf 109s, including their combat debut in the Spanish Civil War, their employment in the invasion of Poland and showing how the type became one of the most famous names in aviation history.

The first volume of a multi-part study of the Bf 109, one of the most famous aircraft of World War II, covering the A to D variants.From the nascent days of the Spanish Civil War to the desperate, final defence of the stricken Reich, the Messerchmitt Bf 109 was the Luftwaffe''s signature fighter. From the very beginning of its combat career it came to symbolize what could be achieved with a modern monoplane fighter aircraft, instilling fear and respect into Allied pilots wherever it was encountered. 35,000 of the ubiquitous Messerschmitts were eventually built, making it the most-produced fighter in history.This is the first Air Vanguard volume to cover the Bf 109, detailing models A–D. Featuring stunning aerial photos the title explores in depth the technical characteristics and combat performance of the early Bf 109s, including their combat debut in the Spanish Civil War, their employment in the invasion of Poland and showing how the type became one of the most famous names in aviation history.

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was one of the truly world class piston-engined fighters of World War II. This reputation rests largely with the E and F variants, which bore the brunt of the Luftwaffe’s most important operations in World War II and shot down tens of thousands of Allied aircraft in the Battle of Britain, the Blitzkriegs across Europe and on the Eastern Front. This volume looks at the design and development history of these formidable warplanes, with a meticulous technical focus to reveal why the types were so effective. It explores the long process of tweaks to the E variant, and solutions to the many initial technical problems with the F, and how this development helped Willy Messerschmitt’s promising Bf 109 design mature and fulfil its potential.

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was one of the truly world class piston-engined fighters of World War II. This reputation rests largely with the E and F variants, which bore the brunt of the Luftwaffe''s most important operations in World War II and shot down tens of thousands of Allied aircraft in the Battle of Britain, the Blitzkriegs across Europe and on the Eastern Front. This volume looks at the design and development history of these formidable warplanes, with a meticulous technical focus to reveal why the types were so effective. It explores the long process of tweaks to the E variant, and solutions to the many initial technical problems with the F, and how this development helped Willy Messerschmitt''s promising Bf 109 design mature and fulfil its potential.

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was one of the truly world class piston-engined fighters of World War II. This reputation rests largely with the E and F variants, which bore the brunt of the Luftwaffe''s most important operations in World War II and shot down tens of thousands of Allied aircraft in the Battle of Britain, the Blitzkriegs across Europe and on the Eastern Front. This volume looks at the design and development history of these formidable warplanes, with a meticulous technical focus to reveal why the types were so effective. It explores the long process of tweaks to the E variant, and solutions to the many initial technical problems with the F, and how this development helped Willy Messerschmitt''s promising Bf 109 design mature and fulfil its potential.

The definitive technical guide to the incredible Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird and its intelligence-gathering systems.The SR-71 represents the very pinnacle of Cold War aircraft design and it has become an aviation icon. Together with its predecessor, the A-12, the Blackbird was a giant leap into the technical unknown and the design employed many forms of new technology made necessary by the excesses of speed, altitude and temperature to which the aircraft was subjected.Paul F. Crickmore charts its 34-year Air Force career, in which the SR-71 proved itself to be the world's fastest and highest flying operational manned aircraft. It set a number of world records for altitude and speed, including an absolute altitude record of 85,069ft on 28 July 1974, and an absolute speed record of 2,193.2mph the same day.This truly was a unique and ground-breaking aircraft, whose fascinating design history is explored here in full and illuminated with photographs and detailed technical illustrations.

The definitive technical guide to the incredible Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird and its intelligence-gathering systems.The SR-71 represents the very pinnacle of Cold War aircraft design and it has become an aviation icon. Together with its predecessor, the A-12, the Blackbird was a giant leap into the technical unknown and the design employed many forms of new technology made necessary by the excesses of speed, altitude and temperature to which the aircraft was subjected.Paul F. Crickmore charts its 34-year Air Force career, in which the SR-71 proved itself to be the world''s fastest and highest flying operational manned aircraft. It set a number of world records for altitude and speed, including an absolute altitude record of 85,069ft on 28 July 1974, and an absolute speed record of 2,193.2mph the same day.This truly was a unique and ground-breaking aircraft, whose fascinating design history is explored here in full and illuminated with photographs and detailed technical illustrations.

The definitive technical guide to the incredible Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird and its intelligence-gathering systems.The SR-71 represents the very pinnacle of Cold War aircraft design and it has become an aviation icon. Together with its predecessor, the A-12, the Blackbird was a giant leap into the technical unknown and the design employed many forms of new technology made necessary by the excesses of speed, altitude and temperature to which the aircraft was subjected.Paul F. Crickmore charts its 34-year Air Force career, in which the SR-71 proved itself to be the world''s fastest and highest flying operational manned aircraft. It set a number of world records for altitude and speed, including an absolute altitude record of 85,069ft on 28 July 1974, and an absolute speed record of 2,193.2mph the same day.This truly was a unique and ground-breaking aircraft, whose fascinating design history is explored here in full and illuminated with photographs and detailed technical illustrations.

An in-depth technical study of the USN and export variants of the McDonnell–Douglas F-4 Phantom – sure to appeal to modelers, veterans, and aviation enthusiasts.Originally designed as a carrier-borne long-range interceptor armed with radar-guided missiles and tasked with defence against missile-launching bombers, the Phantom II went on to establish itself as one of the most important multi-role fighter, attack and reconnaissance aircraft of the 20th century.Arguably the United States' most important aircraft in the Vietnam War, where it played the role of workhorse as well as being a deadly MiG interceptor, the Phantom was also a mainstay of Atlantic Fleet operations intercepting Soviet bomber and reconnaissance aircraft and turning them away from the carrier groups at the height of the Cold War.This book reveals the design and development history of the naval Phantom, its variants and the exported designs adopted by other NATO countries. Packed with illustrations, photographs and first-hand accounts, it provides a technical history of one of the most famous aircraft ever built.