Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aircraft and Vehicles => Topic started by: Tony Williams on March 09, 2003, 12:17:57 AM

Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: Tony Williams on March 09, 2003, 12:17:57 AM
If the moderators will forgive a relevant advert, a new book by Emmanuel Gustin and myself has now been published by Airlife Books. See: http://www.airlifebooks.com/airlife/book.php3?1045658204

It includes descriptions, illustrations and data tables concerning guns, ammunition and gun installations in aircraft from 1933-45.

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website (http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk) and Discussion forum (http://forums.delphiforums.com/autogun/messages/)
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: Karnak on March 09, 2003, 12:40:20 AM
Thank you Tony.  I'll be getting a copy ASAP.
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: GRUNHERZ on March 09, 2003, 01:04:50 AM
Can we say AH discount? :D
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: Pongo on March 09, 2003, 02:25:44 AM
Wtg Tony
Good luck with it. Will it be on Amazon like your last book?
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: Tony Williams on March 09, 2003, 02:36:37 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Pongo
Wtg Tony
Good luck with it. Will it be on Amazon like your last book?


Thanks for the best wishes - yes, it's on Amazon already (although they're a bit confused about the details!)

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website (http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk) and Discussion forum (http://forums.delphiforums.com/autogun/messages/)
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: HoHun on March 09, 2003, 05:31:51 AM
Hi Tony,

>Thanks for the best wishes - yes, it's on Amazon already (although they're a bit confused about the details!)

Airlife says 40 pounds, Amazon.de says 30 pounds. I assume Airlife is correct?

On the bright side, I prefer the 352 pages indicated by Airlife over the 192 pages promised by Amazon.de.

Regards,

Henning (HoHun)
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: Tony Williams on March 09, 2003, 01:54:09 PM
Airlife is indeed correct - there may be some confusion as there are two other volumes on the way, at six-month intervals: Flying Guns World War I, and Flying Guns 1945+ (or whatever title they give it). The WW2 book is much bigger than the other two (no surprise there!)

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website (http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk) and Discussion forum (http://forums.delphiforums.com/autogun/messages/)
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: M.C.202 on March 09, 2003, 01:56:30 PM
And SIGNED copies?
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: Tony Williams on March 09, 2003, 11:17:34 PM
Quote
Originally posted by M.C.202
And SIGNED copies?


Now that's more difficult (and expensive!). I have to buy the books from the publisher, then pack and post them myself. It would end up costing at least twice as much as from Amazon.com

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website (http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk) and Discussion forum (http://forums.delphiforums.com/autogun/messages/)
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: Staga on March 10, 2003, 12:22:00 AM
Thanks for heads up, order is placed :)
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: Vermillion on March 10, 2003, 06:45:46 AM
Thanks Tony !

I pre-ordered mine.  

Its available on Amazon in the US for $34.95 including shipping.

Interestingly, the cover art on Amazon is different from the site that Tony posted.

Tony, you should come over to the Convention this year so you can do a book signing and meet a bunch of your fans. :)
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: Rasker on March 10, 2003, 12:18:31 PM
speaking of World War I, who was the French Ace who mounted a 37mm field gun at a time when a heavily armed gunship had 2 .30's? :)  He make any kills with that monster? Or did they all scream and run away?  Hopefully Tony's book on that era will have a pic of this field modification.

I've heard that the first 75mm tank guns were mounted on B-25's as a field modifcation in the South Pacific, and proved so successful as to result in the B-25(H?).

A funny example of fake giant aircraft gun was the large pipe that some B-29 crews put over their rear 20mm stinger, to convince approaching sons of Nippon that they were facing something in the 50mm to 75mm range.  The account I read claimed that this was very effective.
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: Tony Williams on March 10, 2003, 11:36:55 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Rasker
speaking of World War I, who was the French Ace who mounted a 37mm field gun at a time when a heavily armed gunship had 2 .30's? :)  He make any kills with that monster? Or did they all scream and run away?  Hopefully Tony's book on that era will have a pic of this field modification.


It wasn't really a field modification, but a factory fit applied to several aircraft. From the next volume:

"Despite the problems of air-to-air shooting, the French fighter ace Guynemer was interested in the possibility of installing an engine-mounted cannon between the cylinder banks of the geared Hispano V8 aero engine, firing through the hollow propeller hub, and he inspired such an installation in the SPAD 12Ca1. There were two different types of 37 mm cannon available; some confusion as to their origins exists but it appears that one was a conventional SAMC design with a rifled barrel, the other was a modified M1885 smoothbore firing canister shot, like a large shotgun. They are often referred to as "Puteaux" guns but this might just refer to the arsenal where they were made. A Vickers machine gun was also carried. The plane emerged in July 1917 and a number were built (although nothing like the 300 ordered), several pilots, including Guynemer, achieving some successes with it. These weapons were still manually loaded, however, and unpopular with most pilots because of their awkward loading and the propellant fumes which filled the cockpit on firing. Only eight were reported to be at the Front on 1 October 1918."

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website (http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk) and Discussion forum (http://forums.delphiforums.com/autogun/messages/)
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: brady on March 11, 2003, 12:16:20 AM
I hope all goes well with your Book, you have been such a big help on the board answering question's for all of us.:)
Title: Airlife
Post by: Tony Williams on March 11, 2003, 01:50:56 PM
Sadly, I heard this evening that Airlife, who publish Rapid Fire and Flying Guns, have gone into receivership (i.e. they have gone bust).

It is hoped that the firm can be sold as a going concern, but in the meantime all work has stopped. At this point I don't know how many copies of Flying Guns WW2 have been printed, but I'll keep you posted.

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website (http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk) and Discussion forum (http://forums.delphiforums.com/autogun/messages/)
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: brady on March 11, 2003, 03:57:42 PM
Oh no:(, Good Grief that Sucks Tony I Hope all goes well.
Title: 'Flying Guns: WW2'
Post by: Tony Williams on March 18, 2003, 07:31:19 AM
I am pleased to say that I have just heard from the publishers that 'Flying Guns: WW2' is being distributed as normal, and I can confirm that it is in the shops in the UK.

Tony Williams
Military gun and ammunition website: http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk
Military gun and ammunition discussion forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/autogun/messages/
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: gatt on March 18, 2003, 11:09:20 AM
Tony, will it be available at Amazon UK?
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: Tony Williams on March 18, 2003, 03:14:34 PM
No reason why not!

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website (http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk) and Discussion forum (http://forums.delphiforums.com/autogun/messages/)
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: BGBMAW on March 18, 2003, 07:47:45 PM
yes it was the B-25H..75m mil cannon..

i beleive liek the german counter part HE 129- it was usally Manualy loaded..liek a pump shotgun..they also used electric and pneiamtic loading


B-25 was used for anti shipping...
I have a great model plane of that  thing..both the HE 129 and the B-25H..

BAD bellybutton lookn planes ( i like the german one bettr cause it looks faster and is a single seater)

and Salute Tony..Good Luck..and I will pay for one myself

BiGB
xoxo
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: Karnak on March 18, 2003, 07:50:37 PM
Put an order in for my copy yesterday.  Looking forward to it.
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: Vermillion on March 19, 2003, 07:06:15 AM
So Tony, when does the 1945+ Aircraft guns book come out?
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: Tony Williams on March 19, 2003, 07:52:20 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Vermillion
So Tony, when does the 1945+ Aircraft guns book come out?


In twelve months' time.  In between comes the WW1 book.

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website and Discussion forum
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: funkedup on March 19, 2003, 12:26:11 PM
WTG Tony :)
Keep cranking 'em out.  :)
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: gatt on March 29, 2003, 04:56:00 AM
Got the book in a bookshop in Milan while its still not available at Amazon UK ... :confused: puzzled but happy! Nice work Tony, as usual ;)
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: Pongo on March 29, 2003, 01:14:13 PM
Ordered from Amazon Canada..
Slipped in the Warhawk aces of the med too..
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: Pongo on May 04, 2003, 12:37:13 PM
Tony,
Just got notification that Amazon Canada cannot get this book.
Should I cancel and try somewhere else?
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: Staga on May 04, 2003, 02:24:17 PM
Looks like this might work: Crowood press (http://www.crowoodpress.co.uk/780/book_details.asp?ISBN=1+84037+227+3)
Title: New book - aircraft armament of WW2
Post by: Tony Williams on May 04, 2003, 05:54:49 PM
I'll ask Crowood what's going on.

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website (http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk) and Discussion forum (http://forums.delphiforums.com/autogun/messages/)