This engaging account introduces readers to a remarkable range of transportation firsts and other related developments that occurred within the Lea Valley region of London. From the Thames Ironworks, which gave birth to the HMS Warrior the world's first ironclad battle cruiser, to the Great Eastern Railway works, where innovative engines were designed and built, this study covers both the historic and modern engineering feats of the region. This work also introduces readers to a fascinating series of people--from pilot and aircraft manufacturer A. V. Roe to J. A. Prestwich and the development of motorcycles.

The struggle between ships and aircraft for the control of the surface of the sea has been one of the most fascinating conflicts of the twentieth century. This book describes that struggle from its origins in the First World War, to the debates of the interwar years, the great battles of the Second World War and the development of missiles for attack and defence in the post-war years.

Drawing on rare, historical photography and specially commissioned artwork, Matthew Willis explores the heroic feats of the few Royal Navy's obsolescent biplanes that stood between the state-of-the-art Axis warships and their objectives. Focusing on the technical specifications of both opponents, using original records, and detailed armament and cockpit views, this book explores the key attributes and drawbacks of the disadvantaged Royal Navy torpedo-bombers against the mighty Regia Marina and Kriegsmarine destroyers and raiders, covering a wide range of sea battles, from the more famous attacks such as the strike on the Bismarck, the tragic events of the Channel Dash or the clash with the Italian battle fleet at Taranto, to less covered sea battles such as the Battle of Matapan. Despite their powerful weaponry and heavy armour protection, the Axis warships proved vulnerable to a skillfully and audaciously flown torpedo-bomber, thanks to innovative commanders exploiting every possible advantage. Including rare personal recollections from the airmen who flew the torpedo-bombers and historical accounts from the Axis warship crews, this book describes each and every facet of this dramatic duel.

In 1938, the United States abandoned the constraints imposed by the Washington Teaty and began work on a new class of super-battleships. This book covers the design, construction, and employment of the four Iowa-class battleships, the largest in the American fleet. During World War II, they served as guards for the aircraft carriers and their bombardments provided cover for the numerous landings in the Pacific. At the war's end, the Japanese signed their surrender on the decks of an Iowa-class battleship, the USS Missouri. After World War II, the ships continued to serve, providing support during Korea, Vietnam, and even the first Gulf War. This book tells the full story of the greatest of the American battleships.

Part of the Weapons of War series, this book features more than 150 color and black & white illustrations and photographs as well as detailed specifications of battleships and aircraft carriers from 1900 to the present. Battleships and Aircraft Carriers 1900–Present brings together the most important warships of the last 100 years in a single, handy volume arranged in alphabetical order. The book includes some of the great capital ships, such as the battleships Bismarck and Iowa, the carriers Enterprise and Formidable, and the missile destroyer Canberra. Features 150 entries of the most important weapons of the era Every weapon is illustrated with an accurate color artwork Each entry includes a specifications table with essential information such as armament, weight, speed, and range Concise text provides a summary of the design, development, service history, and performance of each weapon

From late 1941 Italy had been developing a secret project to arm aircraft carriers with shipboard strategic weapons. Naval architect Lino Campagnoli's archives unveil the plans of a fleet aircraft carrier, the converted Impero battleship, which was to be provided with embarked German V-1 as testified by the blueprints developed in 1941-43.