Showing 1912 items
matching yarra valley branch
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Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Christopher Chant, Illustrated history of small arms, 1996
A detailed guide to the infantrymans weapons of the twentieth century.Index, ill, p.144.non-fictionA detailed guide to the infantrymans weapons of the twentieth century.firearms - history, small arms - history -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Quercus, Tools of war : the weapons that changed the world, 2007
Recount, chronologically, the stories of 50 of the most significant advances in military technology. Discuses the specific engagements or campaigns in which they had the most effect.Index, ill, p.207.non-fictionRecount, chronologically, the stories of 50 of the most significant advances in military technology. Discuses the specific engagements or campaigns in which they had the most effect. military art and science - history, military weapons - history -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Duncan Lennox, Janes air launched weapons, 1989
Detailed descriptions of various missile systems from around the woldIll, p.xx.non-fictionDetailed descriptions of various missile systems from around the woldair launched missiles - description, missile systems -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Spectrum Publications, The wobblies at war: A history of the IWW and the great war in Australia, 1993
This book shows how the IWW rose and fell in Australia between 1907 and 1917 when its leaders were deportedIndex, bibliography, ill, p.300.non-fictionThis book shows how the IWW rose and fell in Australia between 1907 and 1917 when its leaders were deportedindustrial workers of the world - history, trade unions - australia - history -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Australian Scholarly, Hard to go bung : World War two soldiers settlement in Victoria 1945-1962, 2011
This book contains the story of Australia's most successful scheme for settling returned soldiers on their own farms. The book includes the recollections of many of the 6000 families who gained a livelihood on farms across the state.Index, notes, ill, maps, p.258.non-fictionThis book contains the story of Australia's most successful scheme for settling returned soldiers on their own farms. The book includes the recollections of many of the 6000 families who gained a livelihood on farms across the state.soldier settlements - victoria - history, land settlement - victoria - history -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Quest Books, War and the soul: Healing our nation's veterans from post-traumatic stress disorder, 2005
Post-traumatic stress disorder increasingly afflicts veterans of modern warfare. To begin healing, says Edward Tick, we must see PTSD as a disorder of identity itself. War's violence can cause the very soul to flee and be lost for life. Drawing on history, mythology, and thirty years of experience, Dr. Tick reveals the universal dimensions of veterans' soul wounding. He uses methods from ancient Greek, Native America, Vietnamese, and other traditions to restore the soul so that the veteran can, at last, truly return home. His work is invaluable for veterans of any war as well as for their families and all who would help themIndex, bibliography, notes, p.329.non-fictionPost-traumatic stress disorder increasingly afflicts veterans of modern warfare. To begin healing, says Edward Tick, we must see PTSD as a disorder of identity itself. War's violence can cause the very soul to flee and be lost for life. Drawing on history, mythology, and thirty years of experience, Dr. Tick reveals the universal dimensions of veterans' soul wounding. He uses methods from ancient Greek, Native America, Vietnamese, and other traditions to restore the soul so that the veteran can, at last, truly return home. His work is invaluable for veterans of any war as well as for their families and all who would help thempost traumatic stress disorder - treatment, veterans - mental health - united states -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, UWA Pub, On dangerous ground : a Gallipoli story, 2012
It is 1915, during World War I at Gallipoli, and Lt. Roy Irwin is missing. The young woman who loves him, and the men who fought beside him, begin their search for Lt. Irwin. Later, in 1919, historian C.E.W. Bean returns to Anzac Cove with artist George Lambert and soldier Harry Vickers to solve the greatest mystery of the campaign, to discover Gallipoli's secret. Forward to 2015, and Dr. Mark Troy's quest to preserve the peninsula from roadworks is sidetracked by political intervention and diplomatic intrigue. But a flirtation with a dynamic young woman from Army Intelligence uncovers long-forgotten documents protecting Gallipoli's graves. In this eagerly awaited book, one of Australia's leading historians uses a playful hybrid of history and fiction - moving between the historical realm and the world of the imagination - to recreate the most dramatic moments of the Gallipoli campaign in World War I.Bibliography, ill, p.223.fictionIt is 1915, during World War I at Gallipoli, and Lt. Roy Irwin is missing. The young woman who loves him, and the men who fought beside him, begin their search for Lt. Irwin. Later, in 1919, historian C.E.W. Bean returns to Anzac Cove with artist George Lambert and soldier Harry Vickers to solve the greatest mystery of the campaign, to discover Gallipoli's secret. Forward to 2015, and Dr. Mark Troy's quest to preserve the peninsula from roadworks is sidetracked by political intervention and diplomatic intrigue. But a flirtation with a dynamic young woman from Army Intelligence uncovers long-forgotten documents protecting Gallipoli's graves. In this eagerly awaited book, one of Australia's leading historians uses a playful hybrid of history and fiction - moving between the historical realm and the world of the imagination - to recreate the most dramatic moments of the Gallipoli campaign in World War I.gallipoli campaign - fiction, war stories -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, In the Company of Eagles, 1966
Fictional account of the air war in the 1914-1918 World Warp.223.fictionFictional account of the air war in the 1914-1918 World Warworld war 1914-1918 - fiction, world war 1914-1918 - aerial conflict -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Corgi Books, The enemy sky, 1969
A fictional account of air warfare in the first world warp.126.fictionA fictional account of air warfare in the first world warworld war 1914-1918 - fiction, world war 1914-1918 - aerial warfare -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Corgi Books, The unfeeling sky, 1968
A fictional account of air warfare in the first world warp.157.fictionA fictional account of air warfare in the first world warworld war 1914-1918 - fiction, world war 1914-1918 - aerial warfare -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Hodder and Stoughton, Fighting on the Home Front : the legacy of women in World War One, 2013
In 1914 the world changed forever. When World War One broke out and a generation of men went off to fight, bestselling author Kate Adie shows how women emerged from the shadows of their domestic lives. Now a visible force in public life, they began to take up essential roles - from transport to policing, munitions to sport, entertainment, even politics. They had finally become citizens, a recognised part of the war machine, acquiring their own rights and often an independent income. Former BBC Chief News Correspondent Kate Adie charts the seismic move towards equal rights with men that began a century ago and asks what these women achieved for future generations. This is history at its best - a vivid, compelling account of the pioneering women who helped win the war as well as a revealing assessment of their legacy for women's lives today.Index, bibliography, ill, p.312.non-fictionIn 1914 the world changed forever. When World War One broke out and a generation of men went off to fight, bestselling author Kate Adie shows how women emerged from the shadows of their domestic lives. Now a visible force in public life, they began to take up essential roles - from transport to policing, munitions to sport, entertainment, even politics. They had finally become citizens, a recognised part of the war machine, acquiring their own rights and often an independent income. Former BBC Chief News Correspondent Kate Adie charts the seismic move towards equal rights with men that began a century ago and asks what these women achieved for future generations. This is history at its best - a vivid, compelling account of the pioneering women who helped win the war as well as a revealing assessment of their legacy for women's lives today. world war one - women - great britain, female emancipation - great britain -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Mira Books, Return of the Gallipoli legend : Jacka VC, 2010
Continues the story of Albert Jacka, VC - soldier, legend and friend. Coming home is bittersweet and the memories and experiences of war are never forgotten. It is through the eyes of Jacka VC that we see a glimpse of how survival away from the trenches becomes an emotional battle on the homefront.Bibliography, ill, maps, p.455.non-fictionContinues the story of Albert Jacka, VC - soldier, legend and friend. Coming home is bittersweet and the memories and experiences of war are never forgotten. It is through the eyes of Jacka VC that we see a glimpse of how survival away from the trenches becomes an emotional battle on the homefront.albert jacka 1897-1932, soldiers - australia - biography -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Allen and Unwin, Fire in the Sky : The Australian Flying Corps in the First World War, 2010
The first book in 90 years dedicated to the daring and courage of the airmen and mechanics of the Australian Flying Corps - a tale of a war fought thousands of feet above the trenches from which only one in two emerged unscathed.Index, bibliography, ill, maps, p.424.non-fictionThe first book in 90 years dedicated to the daring and courage of the airmen and mechanics of the Australian Flying Corps - a tale of a war fought thousands of feet above the trenches from which only one in two emerged unscathed.world war 1914-1918 - australian flying corps, world war 1914-1918 - aerial operations - australia -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Duncan Grinnell-Milne, Wind in the wires, 1966
Biography of a young pilot in the First World Warp.176.non-fictionBiography of a young pilot in the First World Warworld war 1914-1918 - aerial operations - britain, duncan grinnell-milne -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Corgi Books, Sagittarius rising, 1966
A memoir by a WWI fighter pilot, with the adventurous spirit of 'War horse' and the charm of 'The little prince'. A singular, lyrical book, 'Sagittarius rising' is at once an exuberant memoir from the Lost Generation and a riveting tale of the early days of flight during World War I. Cecil Lewis lied his way into the British Army's Royal Flying Corps at age sixteen and was ordered to a squadron on the Western Front only a year later. At the time, flying was so new that designers hadn't even decided on basic mechanics such as how many wings a plane should have. Despite this, Lewis mastered virtually every kind of single-engine plane in the RFC, going on to excel in active duty and even to dogfight the Red Baron--and live to tell the tale. Full of infectious charm and written with the prose and pacing of a novel, 'Sagittarius rising' beautifully recounts Lewis's harrowing exploits in the sky alongside his wild times of partying and chasing girls while on leave in London. His coming-of-age story is unlike any other WWI memoir you've read before.p.224.non-fictionA memoir by a WWI fighter pilot, with the adventurous spirit of 'War horse' and the charm of 'The little prince'. A singular, lyrical book, 'Sagittarius rising' is at once an exuberant memoir from the Lost Generation and a riveting tale of the early days of flight during World War I. Cecil Lewis lied his way into the British Army's Royal Flying Corps at age sixteen and was ordered to a squadron on the Western Front only a year later. At the time, flying was so new that designers hadn't even decided on basic mechanics such as how many wings a plane should have. Despite this, Lewis mastered virtually every kind of single-engine plane in the RFC, going on to excel in active duty and even to dogfight the Red Baron--and live to tell the tale. Full of infectious charm and written with the prose and pacing of a novel, 'Sagittarius rising' beautifully recounts Lewis's harrowing exploits in the sky alongside his wild times of partying and chasing girls while on leave in London. His coming-of-age story is unlike any other WWI memoir you've read before. world war 1914-1918 - aerial operations - britain, cecil lewis - memoir -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Pan Books, Eagle day, 1966
The whole story of the desperate six weeks either side of 13 August 1940Bibliography, ill, map, p.294.non-fictionThe whole story of the desperate six weeks either side of 13 August 1940world war 1939-1945 - aerial operarions - britain, battle of britain -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Goodall publications, Enemy coast ahead, 1966
Describes the night-to-night life of a bomber pilot, and traces the development of Bomber Command during the War.p.286,Describes the night-to-night life of a bomber pilot, and traces the development of Bomber Command during the War.world war 1939-1945 - aerial operations - britain, bomber command -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, TAB Aero et al, The Blond Knight of Germany: A biography of Erich Hartmann, 1970
A biography of Luftwaffe ace pilot Erich HartmannIndex, glossary, ill, p.332.non-fictionA biography of Luftwaffe ace pilot Erich Hartmannfighter pilots - germany - biography, world war 1939-1945 - aerial operations - germany -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Corgi Books, Die like the carp! : the story of the greatest prison escape ever, 1978
Escape of Japanese prisoners of war held at Cowra, N.S.W., Australia.Ill, p.285.non-fictionEscape of Japanese prisoners of war held at Cowra, N.S.W., Australia.escaped prisoners of war - australia, japanese prisoners of war - australia -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Harry Gordon, Voyage from shame: The Cowra breakout and afterwards, 1994
Escape of Japanese prisoners of war held at Cowra, N.S.W., Australia.Index, bibliography, ill, p.313.non-fictionEscape of Japanese prisoners of war held at Cowra, N.S.W., Australia.escaped prisoners of war - australia, japanese prisoners of war - australia -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Faber and Faber et al, Escape to danger, 1946
Story of the captivity, experiences and escapes of of British airmen in World war Two.Ill, p.341.non-fictionStory of the captivity, experiences and escapes of of British airmen in World war Two.world war 1939-1945 - prisoners of war - germany, world war 1939-1945 - personal narratives -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, William Heinemann, Sandakan : the untold story of the Sandakan Death Marches, 2013
The untold story of the Sandakan death marches of World War II. After the fall of Singapore, in February 1942, the Japanese conquerors rounded up tens of thousands of British and Australian soldiers and shipped them to prison camps scattered throughout Hirohito's newly won Empire. The fall of Britain's 'impregnable fortress' was the greatest humiliation in British military history, for which Churchill never forgave the Japanese. But nothing would surpass the wretched fate of some 2,700 British and Australian prisoners who were shipped to British North Borneo later that year. They landed in Sandakan, on the east coast of the island, after a 10-day voyage on a Japanese 'hell' ship, and were herded into a jungle camp some eight miles inland. Thus began the three-year ordeal of the Sandakan prisoners of war - a barely known story of unimaginable horror.Index, bibliography, notes, ill, p.688.non-fictionThe untold story of the Sandakan death marches of World War II. After the fall of Singapore, in February 1942, the Japanese conquerors rounded up tens of thousands of British and Australian soldiers and shipped them to prison camps scattered throughout Hirohito's newly won Empire. The fall of Britain's 'impregnable fortress' was the greatest humiliation in British military history, for which Churchill never forgave the Japanese. But nothing would surpass the wretched fate of some 2,700 British and Australian prisoners who were shipped to British North Borneo later that year. They landed in Sandakan, on the east coast of the island, after a 10-day voyage on a Japanese 'hell' ship, and were herded into a jungle camp some eight miles inland. Thus began the three-year ordeal of the Sandakan prisoners of war - a barely known story of unimaginable horror.world war 1939-1945 - prisoners of war - sandakan, japan - prisons and prisoners of war -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, McMillan, On Radji Beach:The story of the Australian nurses after the fall of Singapore, 2010
When Singapore fell dramatically to the Japanese on 15 February 1942, hundreds of people scrambled to leave. Amongst the evacuees were 65 Australian nurses. They boarded a coastal freighter named the Vyner Brooke, which was sunk by the Japanese. From a group of 60 shipwreck survivors including 22 nurses, Vivian Bullwinkel was the only survivor.Index, bibliography, ill, p.360.When Singapore fell dramatically to the Japanese on 15 February 1942, hundreds of people scrambled to leave. Amongst the evacuees were 65 Australian nurses. They boarded a coastal freighter named the Vyner Brooke, which was sunk by the Japanese. From a group of 60 shipwreck survivors including 22 nurses, Vivian Bullwinkel was the only survivor. royal australian army nursing corps, vivian bullwinkel -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Kangaroo Press, The war, the whores and the Afrika Korps, 1997
Personal account of the experiences of a soldier during the North African campaigns in World War twoIndex, ill, map, p.140.non-fictionPersonal account of the experiences of a soldier during the North African campaigns in World War twoworld war 1939-1945 - personal narratives, world war two 1939-1945 - australian involvement - tobruk -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Penguin Books, The coming of the Third Reich, 2004
n 1900, Germany was one of modernity's great success stories: The most progressive and dynamic nation in Europe, it was the only country whose rapid economic growth and innovation rivaled that of the United States. Its political culture was far less authoritarian than Russia's and less anti-Semitic than France's. Representative institutions thrived, and competing political parties and elections were a central part of life. How, then, could it be that in little more than a generation this stable modern country would fall into the hands of Adolf Hitler and the violent, racist, extremist political movement he led, a movement that would lead Germany and then all of Europe into utter moral, physical, and cultural ruin?" "There is no story in twentieth-century history more important to understand, and Richard Evans has written the definitive account for our time. A masterful synthesis of a vast body of scholarly work integrated with important new research and interpretations, Evans's history restores drama and contingency to the rise to power of Hitler and the Nazis, even as he shows how ready Germany was by the early 1930s for such a takeover to occur. Its citizens were angry and embittered by military defeat and economic ruin, and its young democracy undermined by a civil service, an army, and a law enforcement system deeply alienated from the new order. The electorate was beset by growing extremism and panic about communism; and the small but successful Jewish community was subject to wide-spread suspicion and resentment. In the end, though nothing about what happened was preordained, Germany proved to be fertile ground for Nazism's ideology of hatred.Index, bibliography, ill, maps, p.335.non-fictionn 1900, Germany was one of modernity's great success stories: The most progressive and dynamic nation in Europe, it was the only country whose rapid economic growth and innovation rivaled that of the United States. Its political culture was far less authoritarian than Russia's and less anti-Semitic than France's. Representative institutions thrived, and competing political parties and elections were a central part of life. How, then, could it be that in little more than a generation this stable modern country would fall into the hands of Adolf Hitler and the violent, racist, extremist political movement he led, a movement that would lead Germany and then all of Europe into utter moral, physical, and cultural ruin?" "There is no story in twentieth-century history more important to understand, and Richard Evans has written the definitive account for our time. A masterful synthesis of a vast body of scholarly work integrated with important new research and interpretations, Evans's history restores drama and contingency to the rise to power of Hitler and the Nazis, even as he shows how ready Germany was by the early 1930s for such a takeover to occur. Its citizens were angry and embittered by military defeat and economic ruin, and its young democracy undermined by a civil service, an army, and a law enforcement system deeply alienated from the new order. The electorate was beset by growing extremism and panic about communism; and the small but successful Jewish community was subject to wide-spread suspicion and resentment. In the end, though nothing about what happened was preordained, Germany proved to be fertile ground for Nazism's ideology of hatred.germany - politics and government 1933-1939, germany - nazi party -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Penguin et al, The three trillion dollar war the true cost of the Iraq Conflict, 2009
Discusses about the true cost of the Iraq war - quite apart from its tragic human toll - which the Bush administration estimated at $50 billion. This book argues that this underestimates the real figure by approximately six times. It attempts to expose the gigantic expenses which have not been officially accounted for. Stiglitz and Bilmes write in simple language, which makes the details they present, and the sums they add up, all the more disturbing.Index, notes, p.357.non-fictionDiscusses about the true cost of the Iraq war - quite apart from its tragic human toll - which the Bush administration estimated at $50 billion. This book argues that this underestimates the real figure by approximately six times. It attempts to expose the gigantic expenses which have not been officially accounted for. Stiglitz and Bilmes write in simple language, which makes the details they present, and the sums they add up, all the more disturbing.iraq war 2003-2011 - economic aspects, iraq war 2003-2011 - finance -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Scribe, The mess They made: The Middle East after Iraq, 2013
As Iraq descends ever closer to civil war, no one doubts that George W. Bush's Iraq strategy has been an abysmal failure -- just as Gwynne Dyer argued it would be in both Ignorant Armies and Future: Tense. The question now is what will happen not just in Iraq but in the whole Middle East region once American troops are withdrawn. In The Mess They Made, Dyer predicts that the Middle East will go through the biggest shake up since the region was conquered and folded into the Ottoman Empire five centuries ago. In his trademark vivid prose, and in arguments as clear as his research is thorough, Dyer brings his considerable knowledge and understanding of the region to bear on the issue of how widespread the meltdown in the Middle East will likely be. In five chapters, Dyer points the way from present policies and events to likely future developments in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and in the various other countries of the region, not least of which is nuclear-armed Israel. Argues that the Middle East is about to change fundamentally and everything is now up for grabs: regimes, ethinic pecking orders within states, even national borders themselves are liable to change without notice. Five years from now there could be an Islamic Republic of Arabia, an independent Kurdistan, a Muslim cold war, and more.p.295.non-fictionAs Iraq descends ever closer to civil war, no one doubts that George W. Bush's Iraq strategy has been an abysmal failure -- just as Gwynne Dyer argued it would be in both Ignorant Armies and Future: Tense. The question now is what will happen not just in Iraq but in the whole Middle East region once American troops are withdrawn. In The Mess They Made, Dyer predicts that the Middle East will go through the biggest shake up since the region was conquered and folded into the Ottoman Empire five centuries ago. In his trademark vivid prose, and in arguments as clear as his research is thorough, Dyer brings his considerable knowledge and understanding of the region to bear on the issue of how widespread the meltdown in the Middle East will likely be. In five chapters, Dyer points the way from present policies and events to likely future developments in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and in the various other countries of the region, not least of which is nuclear-armed Israel. Argues that the Middle East is about to change fundamentally and everything is now up for grabs: regimes, ethinic pecking orders within states, even national borders themselves are liable to change without notice. Five years from now there could be an Islamic Republic of Arabia, an independent Kurdistan, a Muslim cold war, and more. iraq war 2003-2011 - history, middle east - international relations -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Scribe, Ghost plane : the untold story of the CIA's torture programme, 2013
In December 2005 Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, assured the world that the flights of CIA private jets that have criss-crossed Europe since 9/11 had no role in sending prisoners to be tortured. 'The United States has not transported anyone, and will not transport anyone, to a country when we believe he will be tortured,' she said. Tony Blair assured Parliament: 'I have absolutely no evidence to suggest that anything illlegal has been happening here at all.' But as Stephen Grey reveals in this book, Rice's claims were false - and the British governemnt has also turned a blind eye to a CIA operation that systematically out-sources the hasrh interrogation of its captives. Grey reveals how the Agency's programme, known by the euphemism 'extraordinary rendition', has transported hundreds of prisoners to foreign jails and its own secret facilities in the full knowledge they will face harsh torture.Index, notes, p.339.non-fictionIn December 2005 Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, assured the world that the flights of CIA private jets that have criss-crossed Europe since 9/11 had no role in sending prisoners to be tortured. 'The United States has not transported anyone, and will not transport anyone, to a country when we believe he will be tortured,' she said. Tony Blair assured Parliament: 'I have absolutely no evidence to suggest that anything illlegal has been happening here at all.' But as Stephen Grey reveals in this book, Rice's claims were false - and the British governemnt has also turned a blind eye to a CIA operation that systematically out-sources the hasrh interrogation of its captives. Grey reveals how the Agency's programme, known by the euphemism 'extraordinary rendition', has transported hundreds of prisoners to foreign jails and its own secret facilities in the full knowledge they will face harsh torture.prisoners of war - abuse of - united states, central intelligence agency -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Orbis, Fighters of World War Two, 1998
Descriptions of the main fighters involved in World war TwoIndex, ill, p.192.non-fictionDescriptions of the main fighters involved in World war Twoairplanes - military, fighter planes -
Monbulk RSL Sub Branch
Book, Chartwell Books, Classic fighters : the inside story, 2005
'Packed with fascinating facts, this volume contains incredibly detailed cutaway drawings of arguably the greatest fighter aircraft ever flown. Each drawing examines what's 'under the skin', clearly showing 'the inside story' - airframe structure, cockpit components, engines, fuel tanks, avionics, machine guns and cannon, missiles and bombs - revealing how the fighters were built, and the weapons they have carried into combat. Each significant component is given a number and is identified in an accompanying key. Moreover, together with stunning photographs, as well as detailed specifications, the absorbing in-depth development histories provide avid aviation enthusiasts all the information they could wish for about the most exciting warplanes spanning almost a hundred years. The aircraft themselves vary tremendously, from simple, wooden-framed, fabric-covered machines with open cockpits, often firing machine guns through whirring, propellers, to super-fast, highly maneuverable, sophisticated and stealthy fighters armed to the teeth with multi-barrel cannons and missiles that can destroy enemy aircraft from beyond visual range. In between are featured a host of combat-proven fighters, many of which have recorded a plethora of 'firsts' - first jet warplane, first supersonic fighter to enter service, first Mach 2 and even Mach 3 interceptors, first tail-less delta machine, first sweeping-wing machine, first missile-armed fighter, and many more. It is certainly an extraordinarily wide-ranging subject presented in such a fantastically individual manner that it is difficult to imagine a more striking volume in aviation publishing.Ill, p,253.non-fiction'Packed with fascinating facts, this volume contains incredibly detailed cutaway drawings of arguably the greatest fighter aircraft ever flown. Each drawing examines what's 'under the skin', clearly showing 'the inside story' - airframe structure, cockpit components, engines, fuel tanks, avionics, machine guns and cannon, missiles and bombs - revealing how the fighters were built, and the weapons they have carried into combat. Each significant component is given a number and is identified in an accompanying key. Moreover, together with stunning photographs, as well as detailed specifications, the absorbing in-depth development histories provide avid aviation enthusiasts all the information they could wish for about the most exciting warplanes spanning almost a hundred years. The aircraft themselves vary tremendously, from simple, wooden-framed, fabric-covered machines with open cockpits, often firing machine guns through whirring, propellers, to super-fast, highly maneuverable, sophisticated and stealthy fighters armed to the teeth with multi-barrel cannons and missiles that can destroy enemy aircraft from beyond visual range. In between are featured a host of combat-proven fighters, many of which have recorded a plethora of 'firsts' - first jet warplane, first supersonic fighter to enter service, first Mach 2 and even Mach 3 interceptors, first tail-less delta machine, first sweeping-wing machine, first missile-armed fighter, and many more. It is certainly an extraordinarily wide-ranging subject presented in such a fantastically individual manner that it is difficult to imagine a more striking volume in aviation publishing.fighter planes - history, fighter planes