Ein sensationell geschriebener und bebilderter Band über das geheimnisumwitterte Mistel-Konzept. Ursprünglich bekannt war es als Mistelschlepp, bei dem zunächst ein kleineres Motorflugzeug auf einen größeren Lastensegler aufgesetzt wurde. Im Laufe der Entwicklung wurde der Lastensegler durch umgerüstete Bomber mit eigenem Antrieb ersetzt. Der Fokus liegt auf den deutschen Entwicklungen des Zweiten Weltkrieges, wo das Verfahren militärisch sehr weit entwickelt und auch zum Einsatz gebracht wurde. In dieser Tiefe und Detailgetreue noch nie beschrieben, wartet der Band mit unglaublich gutem Bild- und Grafikmaterial auf!
Details the exploits of one of the Luftwaffe’s oldest and proudest fighter wings in its aerial battles against Allied heavy daylight bombers and against ever increasing odds during World War II.
A fully illustrated study into the fighting between the Tempest V and Fw 190D-9, two aircraft that represented the cutting edge and pinnacle of British and German piston-engined aircraft in the late years of World War II.Arguably two of the finest piston-engined fighters ever built, the Tempest V and Fw 190D-9 raised the bar in terms of aircraft design and operational capability during World War II. The long-nosed "Dora 9," designed by Kurt Tank, first appeared in the skies over the Western and Eastern Fronts in the late summer of 1944. Fast, and with an exceptional rate of climb, it quickly bettered almost every fighter that the RAF, USAAF and Soviet Red Air Force could field.The Hawker Tempest V entered service in early 1944, initially proving itself a stalwart performer when it was deployed to intercept V1 flying bombs over southern England. From the autumn of 1944, the Tempest V also equipped squadrons of the 2nd Tactical Air Force, operating in support of the Allied armies advancing across northwest Europe. It became a potent ground-attack aircraft, armed with underwing rockets, but also a first-class interceptor when pitted against the Luftwaffe's advanced Fw 190D-9 and Me 262.Featuring full color artwork, this book describes in fascinating detail combats between the Tempest Vs of No 274 Sqn, and the Fw 190D-9s of I. and III./JG 26 between February and April 1945.
Initially designed as a fast medium bomber, the Junkers Ju 88 was also used as a Zerstörer heavy fighter by the Luftwaffe. It saw its combat debut over Poland in 1939, and heavy fighter variants saw action on every front up to VE Day. The ultimate Ju 88 fighter variant was the G-model of 1944, which boasted a FuG 220 or 227 radar, an astounding array of cannon and machine gun armament, and advanced Junkers Jumo or BMW engines.A dedicated nightfighter, the first Ju 88G-1s entered service with the Nachtjagd in the summer of 1944, replacing Ju 88C/Rs as well as some Bf 110Gs. Despite suffering heavy losses in the final months of the war, Ju 88Gs also inflicted serious casualties on Bomber Command right up to VE Day.Illustrated with original artwork, Ju 88 Aces of World War 2 tells the story of the aces who menaced Allied aircraft and shipping throughout the war, whether patrolling over the Bay of Biscay, to the Arctic circle opposing Allied convoys and, most successfully, as radar-equipped nightfighters engaging RAF heavy bombers during defense of the Reich operations from late 1941.
As the tide of the air war against Germany swung in the Allies' favor, so the Luftwaffe was forced onto the defensive. This book covers the Luftwaffe fighter response to the Allied daylight bomber offensive and the development of the heavily armed and armored Sturmgruppen which made mass, close-range attacks against the 'heavies'. The author will cover the infamous Schweinfurt raid and also the attrition suffered by the the Luftwaffe over Normandy following D-Day.
This illustrated title explores the design, evolution, and deployment of the
Arado Ar 234, the world's first truly operational jet bomber and first
reconnaissance jet.
This title tells the fascinating story of German airborne heavy weapons platform designs and the difficult history behind the types' development. Intended as a progressive development of the twin-engined Bf 110 Zerstörer (“destroyer” or heavy fighter), the Me 210 first took to the air in September 1939. However, due to a lack of sufficient flight-testing before being declared service-ready, the Me 210 suffered from a less than satisfactory reputation in respect to its flight characteristics and weak undercarriage. After enhancements were made to the fuselage and wings, and the power of the plane was increased, the Me 210 became the Me 410 in late 1942. By this stage of the war much was expected of the two types, which were forced to fly in very dangerous skies over North Africa and in the defense of the German homeland. Both aircraft were deployed as heavy fighters, fighter-bombers, reconnaissance platforms and interceptors, seeing service with a number of different units. The Me 410 was fitted with 30 mm cannon, 21 cm underwing mortars and the colossal 5 cm BK cannon that was intended to pack a punch against the USAAF's four-engined bombers which threatened the Reich in large numbers from 1943 onwards. In this title, supported by contemporary photography and full-color artwork, Robert Forsyth tells the complex story of the Me 210 and 410, detailing their development and assessing their capabilities as combat aircraft.
The Volksjager was an interceptor cheaply manufactured for Germany s final
stand. For aviation and World War II enthusiasts, this study explores the
operational history of the He 162.
A detailed study into the Do 335--the most radical and advanced piston-engined fighter of World War II. It will appeal to World War II aviation enthusiasts, especially the "Luft 46" subculture--fans of the Luftwaffe's hi-tech prototypes of the late war.
