Warplanes of World War II Up Close

Jackson, Robert. Warplanes of World War II Up Close. Part of the Military Technology: Top Secret Clearance series. 2017. 2016. 224p. ISBN 978-1-5081-7078-5. Available at 940.54 JAC on the library shelves.

The birth of the airplane at the beginning of the 20th century led to its utilization as a war machine during the First World War, and legends were made. But for all of their prowess, these airplanes were slow and more of an afterthought of army leaders on all sides of this conflict. It is not until Hitler’s invasion of Poland triggers the beginning of the Second World War that the airplane truly comes on its own as a machine of death and destruction.

The airplanes imagined in the 1930s, from the famous Royal Air Force Spitfire and the Japanese Mitsubishi Zero to the lesser known German Messerschmitt Bf 109, all began the war as technological marvels, but as the conflict progressed and tactical situations on the ground changed, these aircrafts were quickly surpassed by better armored and equipped airplanes possessing longer range and the ability to conduct electronic warfare. The evolution of bombers wrecked havoc on civilian populations and military installations, and in turn new fighters were constructed to chase and shoot them down.

This book presents 34 of the best known airplanes of the Second World War through three dimensional models providing a 360-degree view. Technical specifications are included, as well as a short history of each airplane’s development and successes during the war. Fans of the Second World War will enjoy reading about these deadly machines.