Aircraft OF THE ACES Legends of the Skies

This volume showcases the outstanding artwork produced by Iain Wyllie and Mark Postlethwaite exclusively for Osprey Publishing’s Aircraft of the Aces books, featuring 33 action-packed paintings from the most successful aviation series of the decade. Each of these specially commissioned artworks is accompanied by a detailed discussion of the action depicted in the painting itself.

The full spectrum of air combat is presented within the covers of Aircraft of the Aces - Legends of the Skies, from aerial duels over the trenches in 1917 between Albatros fighting scouts and Sopwith Pups, to near-supersonic clashes above the Sinai in 1973 that pitched Egyptian MiG-21s against Israeli Nesher interceptors. Using first-hand accounts, combat reports and eyewitness statements wherever possible, series editor Tony Holmes has pieced together the stories behind all 33 actions depicted in the artwork. Supporting the full-colour paintings are 33 aircraft profiles and over 100 colour and black and white archival photographs.

The content of this volume is based on the Aircraft of the Aces series, which has become one of the most successful lists of aviation books published in the ten years since its creation by Osprey editor, Tony Holmes, in 1994. With over 1,000,000 copies sold to date, and 63 titles in print, the series has brought to life the heroic exploits of the elite pilots of both World Wars, the conflict in Korea and the Arab-Israeli Wars. Featuring first-hand accounts, expert analyses from authors from across the globe, outstanding archival photography and over 2,500 full-colour profile artworks and uniform plates, the Aircraft of the Aces series is unique in its breadth of coverage.