Reconnaissance and Bomber Aces of World War 1

by Jon Guttman, Harry Dempsey (Illustrator), Mark Postlethwaite (Illustrator)

Overview

This book profiles a wide variety of British, French, German, Austro-Hungarian and American aircraft, ranging from frontline stalwarts like the RE 8 and AR 1 to the swift Salmson 2A2 and the compact, fighter-like Halberstadt CL II.

Oft-overshadowed by the fighters that either protected or threatened them, two-seater reconnaissance aircraft performed the oldest and most strategically vital aerial task of World War 1 - a task that required them to return with the intelligence they gathered at all costs. Bomber sorties were equally important and dangerous, and the very nature of both types of mission required going in harm's way. A surprising number of British, French and German two-seater teams managed to attain or exceed the five victories needed to achieve the acedom popularly associated with their single-seat nemeses, and in this book they receive their long-overdue recognition. Many high-scoring single-seat fighter aces also began their careers in two-seaters, particularly in the early stages of the conflict, and their exploits as either pilots or observers are detailed here too.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781782008019
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	01/20/2015
Series:	Aircraft of the Aces , #123
Pages:	96
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Jon Guttman, a resident of Leesburg, Virginia, is currently research editor for Weider History Publications. Specializing in World War I aviation, he has written eleven titles for Osprey including the popular Balloon-Busting Aces of World War I. The author lives in Leesburg, VA.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 In Harm's Way 6

Chapter 2 France's Mixed Bag 10

Chapter 3 Rfc, Rnas, Raf and Independent Force 27

Chapter 4 Yankee Salmsons 48

Chapter 5 German Two-Seater Aces 64

Chapter 6 Deadly Duos of the Dual Monarchy 74

Appendices 89

Colour Plates Commentary 91

Index 95