Product Description

The Rand McNally Encyclopedia Of Military Aircraft 1914-1980 is the most complete, authentic, and spectacular book of its kind ever prepared. It depicts and describes all of the world's principal military aircraft produced from the outbreak of World War I to the time of publication.

There are 800 types in all, ranging from fighters and bombers to reconnaissance planes and trainers, with 1,706 airplanes shown in color, 16 color charts, 252 photographs, 772 cutaway drawings, and seven color diagrams. Full-color illustrations are paired with capsule descriptions that provide extensive technical information on each plane, including insignia, manufacturer, type, year, engine, wingspan, length, height, weight, maximum speed, ceiling, range, armament, and crew.

The extraordinary graphics include dramatic gate-fold illustrations-such as a four-page fold-out with minutely detailed color drawings of the 88 principal bombers of World War II, ranging from Japan's tiny Yokosuka Ohka 11 to American's jumbo Boeing B-29 Superfortress, from Germany's Junkers Ju.86 to Russia's Tupolev TB-3, as well as major diagrams, on two-page spreads, which minutely detail individual models by presenting a cutaway view of the plane in color, with up to 100 parts numbered and keyed to an index adjacent to the diagram.

An informative text traces the development of military aircraft through the years, including such background information as production costs, quantities produced, strengths and weaknesses, and impact on aerial warfare.

This is the definitive reference, prepared over a period of six years by the same creative group responsible for Rand McNally's highly acclaimed Color Illustrated Guide aircraft series.

This volume is the culmination of a six-year effort by a team of 16 expert contributors, ably directed by Enzo Angelucci.