Mariott, Leo Images of War. Early Jet Bombers 1944-1954. Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives

In a companion volume to his "Early Jet Fighters. British and American 1944-1954", Leo Marriott describes, using over 200 archive photographs, the first decade in the development of the jet bomber. This was a time of intense technical innovation which transformed the design and capabilities of the bomber and gave birth to a range of classic military aircraft in the USA, Great Britain, France and the Soviet Union. The photographs take the story from the earliest jet bombers constructed in Germany towards the end of the Second World War to the successful designs both sides depended on through the first phase of the Cold War. The pace of development was rapid and remarkable, from initial prototypes built in Germany the Arado 234 and the Junkers Ju. 287 to the fleets of advanced jet bombers like the British "Canberra" and V-bombers, the American B-47 and B-52 and the Soviet Il-28 "Beagle" and Tu-16 "Badger". The images of the prototypes give a fascinating insight into the extraordinary technical challenges and the ambition and inventiveness of the designers and manufacturers who overcame them. Leo Marriotts vivid selection of photographs and his lucid historical narrative offer the reader an overview of a dynamic stage in the evolution of the design of military aircraft.

Early jet bomber types such as the German Arado 234 and Ju 287, the British "Canberra" and V-bombers, the American B-47 and B-52 and the Soviet Il-28 "Beagle" and Tu-16 "Badger" will be on display.