Wilkins, Mark C. British Fighter Aircraft in World War I. Design, Construction, and Innovation

Name: Wilkins, Mark C.: British Fighter Aircraft in World War I. Design, Construction, and Innovation
Brand: Casemate Publishing
SKU: 5622/2023
Price: 49.95 EUR
Availability: InStock

English text, many bw- and colour photos, colour profiles. 192 pages.

Manufacturer: Casemate Publishing
Manufacturer No.: 9781612008813

Article in stock.

Delivery time: 1 - 3 days

Only 1 item in stock, then sold out.

49,95 € *

Order.-No.: 5622/2023

Weight: 0.87 kg

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Description

World War I witnessed unprecedented growth and innovation in aircraft design, construction and as the war progressed - mass production. Each country generated its own innovations sometimes in surprising ways - Albatros Fokker, Pfalz and Junkers in Germany and Nieuport, Spad, Sopwith and Bristol in France and Britain. This book focuses on the British approach to fighter design, construction and mass production. Initially the French led the way in Allied fighter development with their Bleriot trainers then nimble Nieuport Scouts - culminating with the powerful, fast gun platforms as exemplified by the Spads. The Spads had a major drawback however, in that they were difficult and counter-intuitive to fix in the field. The British developed fighters in a very different way; Tommy Sopwith had a distinctive approach to fighter design that relied on lightly loaded wings and simple functional box-girder fuselages. His Camel was revolutionary as it combined all the weight well forward; enabling the Camel to turn very quickly - but also making it an unforgiving fighter for the inexperienced. The Royal Aircraft Factorys SE5a represented another leap forward with its comfortable cockpit, modern instrumentation and inline engine - clearly influenced by both Spads and German aircraft. Each manufacturer and design team vied for the upper hand and deftly and quickly appropriated good ideas from other companies - be they friend or foe. Developments in tactics and deployment also influenced design - from the early reconnaissance planes, to turn fighters, finally planes that relied upon formation tactics, speed and firepower. Advances were so great that the postwar industry seemed bland by comparison.

Group: Books (first-hand)
Author: Wilkins, Mark C.
Title: British Fighter Aircraft in World War I. Design, Construction, and Innovation
Details: English text, many bw- and colour photos, colour profiles. 192 pages.