The United States Army Air Force (USAAF) came into its own during World War II, building some of the most innovative fighters and effective strategic bombers of the era, which came to dominate the skies across Europe and the Pacific. American Aircraft of World War II is a detailed guide to the main fighters and bombers deployed by the USAAF and US Navy from 1941 to 1945. Organised by type and chronologically, this book includes all the great types, such as the B-17 Flying Fortress, which led the daylight bombing campaign against German industrial targets; the B-24 Liberator, which carried out the famous raid on the Ploesti oil refinery in Romania in 1943; the highly-adaptable P-51 Mustang fighter escort and the carrier-based F6F Hellcat – which outperformed the legendary Japanese A6M Zero fighter – as well as the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, with its distinctive twin-boom design; and the B-29 Superfortress, the aircraft most responsible for degrading Japan’s ability to wage war with their constant aerial attacks in 1944 and 1945. The guide is illustrated with profile artworks and three-views, as well as two-page dynamic artworks of some of the more famous aircraft in service, such as the highly-adaptable B-25 Mitchell, which served in every theatre in a variety of roles, the twin- engined P-61 Black Widow night-fighter, and the robust P-47 Thunderbolt fighter- bomber. Illustrated with more than 200 authentic artworks with accurate markings and camouflage, American Aircraft of World War II is an essential reference guide for modellers and military aviation enthusiasts.
Contents:
Introduction
BOMBERS: Curtiss SB2C Helldiver Lockheed Hudson/Ventura Vought SB2U Vindicator Douglas SBD Dauntless Douglas TBD Devastator Douglas AD-1 Skyraider Consolidated TBY Seawolf Martin AM-1 Mauler Strategic Bombers Douglas B-18 Bolo Boeing B-17 B-17C B-17D B-17E B-17F B-17G Consolidated B-24 Liberator B-24A, B-24C B-24D B-24F, B-24G B-24H B-24J North American B-25 Mitchell B-25C B-25G B-25H B-25J PBJ-1H Boeing B-29 Superfortress Consolidated B-32 Dominator
Tactical Bombers Vultee A-31 Vengeance Martin 166 B-10 Martin 167 Maryland Martin 187 Baltimore Curtiss A-12 Shrike Douglas DB-7/A-20 Havoc Douglas A-26 Invader Martin B-26 Marauder: B-26A–G models
Naval Bombers Northrop BT-1 Brewster SB2A Buccaneer Grumman TBF Avenger Curtiss SBC Helldiver
Transports & Flying Boats DC-3/Douglas C-47 Skytrain Curtiss C-46 Commando Martin PBM Mariner Grumman J2F-4 Duck PBY Catlina Vought OS2U Kingfisher Curtiss SO3C-1 Seamew
FIGHTERS:
Early-War Fighters Curtiss Hawk III Curtiss-Wright CW-21 Demon Boeing P-26 Peashooter Seversky P-35 Curtiss P-36 & Hawk Model 75 Republic P-43 Lancer Bell P-39 Airacobra Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
Late-War Fighters Vultee P-66 Vanguard North American P-51 Mustang Republic P-47 Thunderbolt Supermarine Spitfire Bell P-63 Kingcobra
Heavy Fighters Bell YFM-1 Airacuda Bristol Beaufighter de Havilland Mosquito Douglas P-70 Havoc Lockheed P-38 Lightning Northrop P-61 Black Widow
Naval Types Brewster F2A Buffalo Grumman F4F Wildcat Grumman F6F Hellcat Grumman F7F Tigercat Grumman F8F Bearcat Vought F4U Corsair
Jet Aircraft Bell P-59 Airacomet Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star Ryan FR-1 Fireball
Index
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