Designed to combine the bombing capability of the B-26 Marauder with the versatility of the ground-attack A-20 Havoc, the A-26 Invader would become the USAAF's attack bomber par excellence. Capable of flying low-level strafing or conventional bombing missions by simply changing the nose configuration of the aircraft, the Invader first saw action in 1943 in the Pacific Theatre attacking Japanese-held islands. Arriving in Europe several months later, the A-26 served with distinction for the remainder of World War 2. In fact, the design proved so successful that it would go on to fly combat missions for a further two decades. Written by military aviation expert, Jerry Scutts, and illustrated with brand-new colour profiles and rare photography, this is the first book to focus exclusively on the A-26's missions in World War 2.

Designed to combine the bombing capability of the B-26 Marauder with the versatility of the ground-attack A-20 Havoc, the A-26 Invader would become the USAAF's attack bomber par excellence. Capable of flying low-level strafing or conventional bombing missions by simply changing the nose configuration of the aircraft, the Invader first saw action in 1943 in the Pacific Theatre attacking Japanese-held islands. Arriving in Europe several months later, the A-26 served with distinction for the remainder of World War 2. In fact, the design proved so successful that it would go on to fly combat missions for a further two decades. Written by military aviation expert, Jerry Scutts, and illustrated with brand-new colour profiles and rare photography, this is the first book to focus exclusively on the A-26's missions in World War 2.

Although a hangover from World War II, the seemingly antiquated B-26 Invader proved to be one of the hardest-worked assets employed by the UN forces in Korea for the duration of the conflict. Indeed, B-26s of the 3rd Bomber Group had the distinction of being the first aircraft to drop ordnance on the North Koreans within hours of the communist invasion of the south. Capable of dropping bombs and napalm, firing off unguided rockets or simply strafing targets with its battery of .50-cal Browning guns, the B-26 was equally as effective during the day or at night. Over 200 bomber and reconnaissance variants saw action in Korea, and many were adorned with some of the most colourful nose art ever carried by American combat aircraft in any war. This volume includes a gallery of this artwork, with text outlining the exploits of the pilots featured, and appendices listing the units involved.

The Douglas A-26 Invader served the United States with distinction in various combat roles during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Originally created as an attack aircraft, with the designation A-26, the Invader was designed to replace the A-20 Havoc, North American B-25 Mitchell and the Martin B-26 Marauder for the U.S. Army Air Forces. However, production delays prevented the aircraft from reaching the field until June 1944. With as many as 14 forward-firing .50 caliber machine guns as well as bombs and rockets, the Invader was well-suited for ground strikes when the Korean War broke out in 1951. The Invader flew into combat and carried the markings of the U.S. Air Force as the re-designated B-26. Later, the French used the Invader during their war in Vietnam. Shortly after the United States entered the conflict, Invaders returned to the sky over Vietnam in the hands of American as well as South Vietnamese crews. In order to base the aircraft type in Thailand, which prohibited USAF bombers, the Invader was once more classified as an attack aircraft, and the A-26 designation returned. This new title is profusely illustrated with more than 175 photos, 35 of which are in vintage color, as well as two color profile illustrations and 10 line drawings.

Unquestionably the most successful dive-bomber ever to see frontline service with any air arm, the Douglas SBD Dauntless was the scourge of the Japanese Imperial Fleet in the crucial years of the Pacific War. The revolutionary all-metal stressed-skin design of the SBD exhibited airframe strength that made it an ideal dive-bomber, its broad wing, with horizontal centre section and sharply tapered outer panels with dihedral, boasting perforated split flaps that doubled as dive brakes during the steep bombing attacks

Understand the growth and evolution of American air power with this overview of the history of the world's most successful aviation force. The United States Air Force: A Chronology captures the sweep of U.S. Air Force history from the service's inception to present times. Concise entries, arranged by date, touch upon military events such as victories and defeats; significant political, administrative, and technological changes affecting the service; and significant events in the careers of noted leaders. Daily occurrences are described within the context of greater historical events such as wars. The chronology covers all aspects of the U.S. Air Force and its historical antecedents (U.S. Air Service, Army Air Corps, and Army Air Force), commencing with the Balloon Corps in the American Civil War and extending through Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan. Events of note, major and minor, are listed in the order of occurrence. The book includes all major air campaigns in all major conflicts, as well as such noteworthy events as record-breaking flights and the introduction of new aircraft.