Bøker av Philip Birtles

With 290 colour images, almost all previously unpublished, 'RAF Fast Jets in Colour: The Cold War and Beyond' shows the evolution of one of the most technologically advanced air forces in the world.

The Hawker Hunter was Britain's first swept-wing jet fighter capable of exceeding the speed of sound. It was a simple, rugged design that was easy to maintain in service. Once the limited initial range was improved, it became a versatile combat aircraft as a day fighter, ground-attack fighter, and fighter reconnaissance platform. In addition to worldwide service with the RAF, the Hunter was an export success, becoming a standard fighter with NATO and air forces in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and South America. Its modular construction made it easy to build, and earlier models were ideal for refurbishing and updating for sale to overseas customers. Today, seventy years since the author watched Neville Duke first demonstrate the aircraft at the Farnborough Air Show, Hunters are still active as low-cost platforms for aggressor training and systems development.Hawker Hunter: A Classic Jet Fighter documents the aircraft's extensive and fascinating history, covering development and operational service across the world. The book is illustrated with over 450 black and white photographs, many of which are previously unpublished.

Harrier was the world's first V/STOL jet combat aircraft design, development and service with the RAF, USMC, and other overseas air arms. From the initial tentative beginnings, into an effective precision ground attack aircraft in all weathers and at night, it served in Europe, the Middle East, and the USA as well as the Falklands Campaign.

John Cunningham became a well-known personality following his WW2 combat successes, and his demonstrations of the Comets and Tridents at the Farnborough Air Shows. He was a modest man who did not seek publicity, but was a highly skilled test pilot in Britain's pioneering jet age. He also sold Tridents to China.

The Vickers Wellington seen in RAF bomber design, development, production, and combat service. The Wellington crews served with distinction in this versatile aircraft from before the Second World War until the 1950s, throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

The Hawker Hurricane: without which there would not have been a Battle of Britain. This rugged fighter operated in all climates, from the Arctic to North Africa and Asia. Hurricanes were flown from merchant ships on convoy protection against hostile Luftwaffe Condors. They also served with Allied Air Forces during and after the War.

Written by an accomplished military aviation author, this new study is the result of many years of research, and will be essential reading for all historians of the period and keen aviation enthusiasts.There is growing interest today in the Cold War era in British history. This newbook provides a new study of Cold War airfields that will be of interest to all those who study airfield history and archaeology.This new title provides a background to the Cold War airfields in Britain. Phillip Birtles gives readers an airfield by airfield coverage of those in operation from the start of the Cold War during the Berlin Air Lift in the late 1940s to the end of the Cold War with the fall of the Berlin Wall at the end of the 1980s. The book covers both RAF/FAA and USAF airfields in Britain, and charts the changes that took place at these airfields in this period including the development of aircraft from the first postwar jet aircraft to aircraft types that are still flying today.Alongside descriptive text outlining each airfield, the units and aircraft operating from that airfield and its role in the Cold War are also explained in great detail. Descriptive text is complemented by contemporary photographs, maps and airfield plans.