McNab, Chris Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft. From World War I to the present

With the development of the Wright Flyer in 1903, aircraft manufacturers soon began to utilise the new technology for military purposes. The Wright Model A was commissioned by the US Army Signal Corps in 1908, and a German-built Etrich Taube reconnaissance aircraft was used in combat during the Italian-Turkish War of 1911, when an Italian pilot manually dropped an aerial bomb on Turkish troops in Libya. From these humble beginnings, the military aeroplane was born. This reference book provides a comprehensive guide to military aircraft of all types, from the early artillery scouts of the First World War to the latest stealth aircraft that roam our skies today. Each aircraft is illustrated with detailed, accurate colour profiles - some in the form of cutaway models - a photograph, a brief account of the aircraft's development, production and operational history and an overview of the most important technical data. With more than 430 entries, the "Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft" is a comprehensive reference work on the most important fighters, bombers, interceptors, reconnaissance aircraft, seaplanes, helicopters and drones from the early 20th century to the present day.