Evolution of U.S. Air Force Fighter Aircraft: Volume 1. 1909-1945

Evolution of U.S. Air Force Fighter Aircraft: Volume 1. 1909-1945

Evolution of U.S. Air Force Fighter Aircraft Volume 1. 1909-1945 Pictorial printed in Full COLOUR This series of books traces the 120-year evolution of U.S. Air Force (USAF) fighter aviation, from the acquisition of the first military aeroplane in 1909 to 2029. Volume 1 traces the trajectory of development highlights a shift from visual-range dogfighting in World War I to beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagement (Radar) in World War II. Volume 2 picks up in 1946 and continues to the current era of “systems of systems,” where manned fighters like the newly selected Boeing F-47 coordinate with autonomous unmanned aircraft. I did include some trainer aircraft if they were intended as fighters - but weren’t quite up to the task - or if they were specifically built to train fighter pilots. Book includes cutaway drawings and photo of many of the aircraft cockpits. Aircraft covered: Wright Model A (Aeroplane No. 1 - 1909) Curtiss Model D (1911 “Curtiss Pusher”) Curtiss Model J Trainer (1914) Curtiss Model N Trainer (1915) Curtiss JN-4 Trainer (1915) SPAD VII Fighter (1916) Sopwith Camel Fighter (1916) Royal Aircraſt Factory S.E.5a Fighter (1916) Standard E-1 Trainer (1917) Heinrich Pursuit Fighter (1917) Nieuport 28 Fighter (1917) Thomas-Morse S-4 Scout ("Tommy") Trainer (1917) Vought VE-7 "Bluebird" Fighter/Trainer (1917) Salmson 2 A.2 Reconnaissance Aircraſt (1917) Loening M-8 Monoplane Fighter (1918) Packard LUSAC-11 Fighter Bomber (1918) Thomas-Morse MB-3 Fighter (1919) Loening PW-2 Monoplane Fighter (1920) Aeromarine PG-1 Pursuit and Ground Attack Aircraſt (1922) Boeing Model 15 (PW-9) Pursuit Fighter (1923) Curtiss P-1 (PW-8) Fighter (1923) Boeing P-12/F4B Biplane Fighter (1928) Curtiss P-6 Hawk Fighter (1929) Berliner-Joyce P-16 Two-Seat Fighter (1930) Boeing P-26 Peashooter Fighter (1932) Consolidated P-30 (PB-2) Fighter (1934) Curtiss-Wright P-36 Hawk (1935) Bell YFM-1 Airacuda Interceptor (1937) Curtiss-Wright YP-37 Fighter (1937) Seversky P-35 Fighter (1935) Bell P-39 Airacobra Fighter (1938) Curtiss-Wright P-40 Warhawk Fighter/Bomber (1938) Lockheed P-38 Lightning Fighter/Bomber (1939) North American P-64 Fighter (1939) Vultee P-66 Vanguard Fighter (1939) North American P-51 Mustang Fighter (1940) Republic P-43 Lancer Fighter (1940) Republic P-47 Thunderbolt Fighter/Bomber (1941) Douglas P-70 Havoc Night Fighter (1942) Bell P-59 Airacomet Fighter (1942) Northrop P-61 Black Widow Night Fighter (1942) P-75 Eagle Heavy Fighter (1943) Lockheed P-80 (F-80) Shooting Star Jet Fighter (1944) F-82/P-82 Twin Mustang Long-Range Escort Fighter (1945)