The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fighters
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fighters (Macdonald 1981 Illustrated Fighter Aircraft Reference)
A Large Illustrated Reference to Fighter Aircraft, Edited by Britain's Leading Aviation Author
Bibliographic Specifications
- Title: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fighters
- Editor: Bill Gunston
- Publisher: Macdonald, London
- Publication Date: 1981
- ISBN-10: 0356075699
- Binding: Publisher's dark green/black cloth boards with illustrated dust jacket.
- Physical Format: Large quarto-size illustrated reference, with colour and black-and-white photographs, profile drawings and three-view drawings.
- Language: English
Official Condition Report
- The Book: Very Good (VG)
- Exterior / Boards: The plain dark cloth boards are clean, with no visible marks. The spine and corners appear straight and square.
- Interior: The pages are clean, creamy and tight, with bright text and illustrations. The page edges are slightly toned. No foxing, writing or markings.
- The Dust Jacket: Present. The spine is dark with cream lettering. The front shows light surface scuffing and some creasing. The back has a dull, dusty look with a small whitish patch at the top edge and a tiny nick at the bottom, plus minor edge wear. Overall about Very Good. The jacket is protected in a durable archival-type plastic cover.
Synopsis & Historical Value
Published in London by Macdonald in 1981 and edited by Bill Gunston, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fighters is a large illustrated reference on fighter aircraft, from the early days of aerial combat to modern jets.
Each type has its own entry giving a short history, specifications and photographs, supported by colour and line drawings, including profile and three-view drawings. The result is a handsome, visual survey of how the fighter developed, notably through the rearmament of the 1930s.
It is a useful companion for aviation enthusiasts, modellers and military historians who want a broad, well-illustrated overview of the fighter in one heavy volume.
Author Profile: Bill Gunston
Bill Gunston (1927–2013) was a British aviation and military author and editor. He served in the RAF in the late 1940s and joined the production team of Jane's All the World's Aircraft in 1969.
He was appointed OBE in 1996 for services to aviation journalism and is credited with more than 350 books and articles, many for Salamander Books. His other works include Hitler's Luftwaffe, The Illustrated Directory of Fighting Aircraft of World War II and World Encyclopaedia of Aircraft Manufacturers.
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