WARPLANES OF THE WORLD, 1918 - 1939

It is natural for the uninformed aviation observer to see the interwar years as dull and uneventful - merely a lull between two periods of intense excitement and development. However, as Warplanes of the World 1918 - 1939 shows, this was far from the case. There was a constant need for military aircraft all over the world during this politically unstable period and new methods of combat were needed and developed from Afghanistan to the Civil War in Spain.

Technically, as well, the period 1918 - 1939 was far from stagnant. Indeed, it should be remembered that many important changes in structure and configuration took place during these decades - the manufacturing material of many military aircraft changed from wood to metal, cockpits became enclosed, undercarriages became retractable. By the time that the Second World War started the appearance and performance of military aircraft differed radically from that of the First World War machines - and it is worth remembering that the world's first jet aircraft, the Heinkel He 178, flew in this period.

Another innovation which was to have far - reaching effects was the introduction of the aircraft carrier. Great Britain commissioned the first carriers with a flush deck and the first off - set island structure - H.M.S. Argus and H.M.S. Eagle - and in September 1922 the Americans launched their first carrier - the U.S.S. Langley. The Japanese followed suit with Hoshe in December of the same year. Ironically it was the British who taught the Japanese torpedo bombing - the lessons were put to practical use in 1942 at the battles of Midway and the Coral Sea.

Warplanes of the World 1918 - 1939 is part of Ian Allan's comprehensive reference book coverage of military aircraft from 1914 to the present day and provides an important link in the chain of aircraft development. ( ... ) The book makes this possible and provides a lucid, compact and authoritative reference book.