Bøger udgivet af KEY PUB

The B-24 Liberator served as the workhorse of the US armed forces and was used in every theater of war. Under the command of Colonel Halverson, a US task force known as HALPRO was sent to attack Japan, but was diverted en route and instead became embroiled in the Mediterranean theater, carrying out bombing raids to arrest the progress of Axis forces.Images of the early days of the RAF, HALPRO and the US's 9th and 12th Air Forces illustrate the difficult sandy and dusty conditions in the North African desert, as well as the less sophisticated early model B-24s. The 15th Air Force, operating from Southern Italy, lived in tents through the particularly cold winter of 1944-45, and the sight of the snowy Alps that they crossed daily must have made crews wonder just how they would fare if their aircraft was brought down there. Crossing the Adriatic would have brought different challenges: the B-24 was not best regarded as a ditching platform, and so the Isle of Vis off Croatia beckoned to crews dealing with fuel shortages and battle damage once they left the Croatian coast and were bound for Italy. Unit photographers captured dramatic scenes as bombers were struck with flak and control was lost and many are included in this illustrated volume. With more than 150 images, this book presents a graphic account of the B-24 Liberator, its missions and crews against the backdrop of the Mediterranean theater of war.

Perhaps overshadowed by more 'exotic' locos, the Class 31s nonetheless played a significant part in British Railways' Modernisation Plan. Intended for use on more lightly loaded and shorter-distance trains on routes away from the main lines, the 263 original Brush Type 2 locomotives were new between 1957 and 1962 and entered service on the Eastern Region. They could soon be found all across the country. Not long into their careers, they were renumbered into Class 31 under the TOPS system and, over time, four subclasses were developed. The most numerous was the steam heat boiler-fitted 31/1, examples of which were further modified with electric train heating (ETH) to produce the 31/4. Towards the end of the class's collective lifespan came two more developments, the 31/5 and 31/6. The fact that so many still survive after decades of sterling service is testament to their usefulness and versatility, and they are especially appreciated on the various heritage lines up and down the country. This volume includes more than 200 images showing these workhorses in action, mostly in the south of England.

The development of US naval aviation was much in doubt, especially during its formative years between 1910 and 1913. The lack of interest and allocation of money for aviation changed in 1916, when it became clear that the United States could be drawn into the war in Europe. Yet, the naval and marine air sections were woefully unprepared for warfare when the United States declared war against the Central Powers and had to rely on its European allies to provide bombers and pursuit aircraft throughout the war.There was initially tension between the Navy and Marine Corps as the naval hierarchy saw no need to provide land-based aircraft as the duty of aviation was to patrol and for antisubmarine operations by using seaplanes and flying boats. Negotiations brought forth the concept of the Northern Bombing Group, a land-based unit equipped primarily with British and Italian aircraft. This historical narrative encompasses the formation and development of the US Navy and Marine Corps air services from 1911 to 1918. It includes pre-war and wartime training, aircraft development, operations, and personalities such as the Navy's Theodore "Spuds" Ellyson and Marine Alfred A. Cunningham. Both pioneers continuously fought to maintain and grow their service's air arms. Their tenacity would, within seven years, lead to the organization of wartime scouting, pursuit, and bombing units.

Pathfinders is a new history of Bomber Command's corps d'elite and the men who led the greatest striking force ever known. The story explores the genesis of Pathfinder Force (PFF), from its initial inception and less-than-spectacular start to its development as a precision instrument that gave the razor edge to the RAF bomber offensive. It looks at its difficult birth - Sir Arthur Harris was vehemently opposed to its creation - and the key personalities and squabbles, in particular the increasingly bitter rivalry between the mercurial PFF commander, Australian Donald Bennett, and his rival in 5 Group, Sir Ralph Cochrane, and what Bennett saw as Harris' ultimate betrayal.The book explores how crews became Pathfinders, some with bounding enthusiasm, others more reluctantly or by chance, and how the quality and availability of crews varied throughout the war. Drawing on more than 20 years of research and interviews with the heroes of PFF, it considers their training and the methods and techniques deployed on operations including the Master Bomber system, and it examines their successes and failures, the tragedies and triumphs, and Pathfinder Force's vital contribution to victory in Europe.

The legionary soldier of the early Empire period, with his distinctive segmented armor, is one of the images most closely associated by popular imagination with ancient Rome. Such soldiers conquered most of Britain, suffered and avenged the terrible disaster of the Teutoburg Forest and vanquished the fearsome Dacians across the Danube, a feat immortalized on Trajan's Column, as well as fighting many other tribes. In the East, they overcame the Great Jewish Revolt and repeatedly contended with mixed success against the powerful Parthians. This was the army that enforced the so-called Pax Romana at the point of a gladius and maintained the greatest empire the world had yet seen. Of course, such troops were also employed to bloody effect in the many civil wars such as those of AD 69, 'the Year of the Four of the Emperors'. With over 110 images of historically accurate re-enactors, this book describes the tactics, organization and equipment of the Roman army at the height of its powers, considered by many to be the most efficient and powerful fighting force of the ancient world. It gives an overview of the most significant campaigns and considers in detail not only the iconic legionaries but also the various auxiliary units, including cavalry.

Fighter aircraft truly came of age during the World War Two era and many of these machines passed into legend: Spitfire, Hurricane, Mustang, Thunderbolt. Even today, these names evoke visions of daring manoeuvres and ace pilots. Of course, flying a fighter often offered a simple choice - kill or be killed.In the second half of the 1930s, the British government escalated its aircraft design and manufacturing programmes. The Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire were instrumental in the Battle of Britain, halting the seemingly invincible German war machine. Britain continued to produce standout fighters, including the Hawker Typhoon and Tempest, Bristol Beaufighter and de Havilland Mosquito. They all made their contribution to the war effort and Allied success.Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the US had no shortage of recruits. However, the US had less time to build up its reserves since all resources had been focused on supplying aircraft to European countries. Despite this, some manufacturers were well placed to start production on some of the most famous American aircraft of the war: the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, Lockheed P-38 Lightning, Republic P-47 Thunderbolt and North American P-51 Mustang.This new book edition of Aeroplane Collectors' Archive: British Fighters of World War 2 and Aeroplane Special Aviation Archive: US Fighters of World War II showcases these famous fighters and the role they played in Allied victory in World War Two.

Beautifully illustrated with over 150 images from around the country, this book charts the routes and services undertaken by the Class 33/37 locomotives over the last 60 years.

The Lysander never ceases to amaze those who see it; its sheer size alone defies its flying qualities, and its ungainly appearance belies the aircraft's true versatility. This new book edition of Aeroplane Icons: Lysander demonstrates why the Lysander is, and will always be, one of the world's great iconic flying machines.

Illustrated with 180 color photographs, with extended and informative captions, this book looks at the airliners of South & Southeast Asia.