Author Topic: Good books on WW2 aircraft? Suggestions? (Read 1309 times)

LtPillur · « **on:** November 05, 2004, 12:07:14 PM »

Can anyone recommend some good books on WW2 aircraft? In print or out. I'm looking not only for books with stories ; but books that discuss the aircraft in some detail. Thanks Much:aok
Peace
Pillur

Simaril · « **Reply #1 on:** November 05, 2004, 12:16:43 PM »

The entire Motorbooks line might be up your alley -- they have mixture of anecdotes and some technical, aircraft data.

Warbird tech series has compact coverage ith lots of development info and pictures.

Production LIne to Front Line sereis from Osprey has aircraft info emphasizing the hardware aspects; their Aircraft of the Aces series has combat histories and stories.

Tillman wrote a series for Naval Institute PRess, with a volume covering each US naval fighter -- and he does great job weaving history, operational stories, and hardware development issues.

America's Hundred Thousand, which I have not read, has a reputation for being the best single volume technical hitory of US WW2 aircraft.

LtPillur · « **Reply #2 on:** November 05, 2004, 12:59:11 PM »

Thanks much!! Sounds like enough there to keep me busy for sometime.
Peace
Pillur

LtPillur · « **Reply #3 on:** November 05, 2004, 02:52:18 PM »

anybody else?

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 06, 2004, 06:50:34 AM »

"Combat Aircraft of WWII". "The Complete Book of Fighters". "Focke Wulfe Fw 190 In Combat". "Messerschmit "O-Nine" Gallery" (mostly pictoral, great pics of 109s, also Me 209, 309). "Stuka Pilot". "To War in a Stringbag" "Samurai!". "Wings of the Luftwaffe". "War in the Air" (collection of chapters from various WWII and WWI novels by Stephen Coonts, still a good read). "Roar of the Tiger" (one of the "Flying Tigers" books, several guys who served with em wrote books; this one is pretty good). Cant think of anything else right now, I'll go through the bookcase tomorrow. I know I have some stuff on Spitfires and Hurricanes around somewhere, as well as P51 books.

XrightyX · « **Reply #5 on:** November 06, 2004, 02:34:29 PM »

LtPillur

I'd recommend the Hamlyn Concise Guide Series:

There's the Concise Guide to American Aircraft of WWII, Axis Aircraft of WWII and British Aircraft of WWII.

These are good starters. I keep them at hand for reference whenever debate over performance, #'s built, armament come up. Good starting points, but you can, of course, find more detailed books for specific aircraft.

Swager · « **Reply #6 on:** November 06, 2004, 04:29:12 PM »

"The Great Book of World War II Airplanes"

One of the best!!

Staga · « **Reply #7 on:** November 06, 2004, 04:42:18 PM »

Dean's "America's Hundred Thousand". Contains info like This

Staga · « **Reply #8 on:** November 06, 2004, 04:49:42 PM »

Uh forgot Anthony Williams' books "Rapid Fire" and "Flying Guns: World War II".
They're specialized in armaments, former to all guns from beginning of the last century to the modern autocannons like Aden and Avenger.
Latter, as you may guess from name, is about armaments used in ww2 fighters and bombers; very good and detailed book, just like "Rapid Fire".
Writer is also often seen visitor in this board so if you need more info you may ask straight from him (Tony Williams).

LtPillur · « **Reply #9 on:** November 07, 2004, 01:47:41 AM »

You guys are all great! Thanks much. I'm interested in learning more about these planes outside of the sim environment.
I think this will do it.
Peace
Pillur

MRPLUTO · « **Reply #10 on:** November 07, 2004, 11:54:58 AM »

XrightyX is right on...the three books, "American/British/Axis Aircraft of World War II by David Mondey are outstanding. I refer to them all the time.

MRPLUTO

daddog · « **Reply #11 on:** November 07, 2004, 12:14:41 PM »

I will give you a few more anyway.

Aces at War by Hammel
The Ace Factor by Mike Spick
Allied Fighter Aces of WWII by Mike Spick
Fight for the Air by Turner
Sky Battles by Alfred Price
The Great Book of World War II Airplanes (Excellent book! but costs a pretty penny)
I have lots of others, but they are not about the air war.

You have quite a list now with the other posts. Enjoy.

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 07, 2004, 01:51:25 PM »

Any of the Mike Spick books are great.

Guppy35 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 08, 2004, 01:19:56 AM »

OK might as well jump in.

The Lockheed P38-Warren Bodie
Republic P47 Thunderbolt-Warren Bodie
Mustang-The Story of the P51 Fighter-Robert Gruenhagen
Spitfire-The History-Eric Morgan & Edward Shacklady
Cobra!-Bell Aircraft Corperation 1934-46-Birch Matthews
The Curtiss Hawks-Page Shamburger & Joe Christy
Log of the Liberators-Steve Birdsall
Flying Fortress-Edward Joblanski
Saga of the Superfortress-Steve Birdsall

Any of the "At War" series
Any of the Alfred Price books on the Spitfire

I have Luftwaffe stuff too, but my main interest is USAAF and RAF. The Luftwaffe junkies around here I'm sure have some great reads to reccomend.

The hard part, because there are so many books out there, is figuring out which ones are a waste of time and which ones are worth having

Dan/Slack

LtPillur · « **Reply #14 on:** November 08, 2004, 11:42:09 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by daddog
I will give you a few more anyway.

The Great Book of World War II Airplanes (Excellent book! but costs a pretty penn
You have quite a list now with the other posts. Enjoy.

WOW! At ten pounds and $120 this book may have to wait awhile!! But I think I have plenty of other books to read. Especially " America's Hundred Thousand". Looks good.
Thanks all
Peace
Pillur