Luftstreitkräfte - Allemagne : beaux livres - avions de la 1e GM

Using the cockpits of approximately sixty military and civil aircraft as examples, this book follows the development of aircraft instruments in Germany from 1911 to about 1970. The standards and developments of each period are described and the instrumentation of each cockpit is identified. There is also a general explanation of the science of aircraft instruments and the function of various items of equipment.

The aircraft cockpit represents the interface between man and machine. In the span of a few decades the cockpit underwent an astonishing development, from sparsely equipped, primitive open cockpit, to enclosed cockpits with numerous instruments and systems.
The pilots of aviation's pioneering period flew by sight and feel and mistrusted the few instruments that were available. The First World War brought mass production of aircraft and the first standards for instruments and equipment.
The 1930s and 1940s represented the apex of German aircraft development, producing distant-reading compass systems, radio navigation aids, electric multiple indicators and autopilots.

Fighter aircraft were developed by during World War I at an unprecedented rate, as nascent air forces sought to achieve and maintain air supremacy. German manufacturers innovated at top speed, while constantly scrutinizing the development of new enemy aircraft. The Germans also utilized the concept of systematic production or modular engineering during the war-Fokker capitalized on this aspect with all his aircraft built in a similar fashion-wooden wings with welded steel fuselages.
This meant that they could be disassembled or reassembled quickly in the field-unlike many Allied aircraft.

Pfalz and Albatros were the first to realize the importance of a streamlined fuselage-the precursor to all that would follow. Both of these companies built semi-monocoque fuselages using plywood to develop semi-stressed skin-the Allies had nothing like this.
The Germans also perfect powerful inline engines, as exemplified by the Albatros fighters. These engines did not have the gyroscopic effect of the rotary engines and as such were easier and more stable to fly.
Fokker was slow to give up his rotary engines but once he did, the result was the iconic Fokker D VII-years ahead of its time and the only aircraft specifically mentioned in the Treaty of Versailles that Germany could not build after the war.

This book explores how German fighter aircraft were developed during the war, the innovations and trials that made the Fokker D VII possible, and the different makes and types of aircraft. Using unpublished images including photographs of surviving aircraft, archive images, and models and replicas, it shows details of aircraft that were kept top secret during the war.
Extensively illustrated with 140 photos and ten color profiles, this is will be essential reading for all WWI aviation enthusiasts and modellers.

This book describes and illustrates the development of German warplanes in WWI with text, photos, color illustrations, and 30 tables of information including front-line inventories of aircraft by date and specific type.
The origins and evolution of each warplane class or category, such as fighters, bombers, and reconnaissance planes are discussed in chapters for each category.

Aero engines are also discussed, together with procurement decisions and production quantities. German aviation production and procurement strategies are discussed in the context of the German strategic situation. The three German Fighter Competitions are discussed in particular detail, including all the participating aircraft and their engines.
The book is illustrated by 200 rare, contemporary photos, 12 color photos, and 62 color profiles.

This book describes and illustrates the development of German monoplane fighters in WWI with text, 310 photos, 50 color profiles, production quantities and serial numbers of aircraft, and aircraft dimensions and performance specifications. In addition, four monoplane fighters are illustrated in 1/48 scale drawings.

This book describes and illustrates Germany's Triplane Craze of 1917 with more than 145 rare, contemporary photos, 9 color photos, 44 color profiles, performance specifications and production data.

The origins of German triplane and multiplane fighter designs are discussed in the context of the evolving combat environment. Scale Drawings of the Aviatik 30.24, Brandenburg L 16, Fokker V8, Friedrichshafen FF54, and the Schütte-Lanz Dr.I to 1/48 scale are included in the book's 102 pages.

This book describes and illustrates Germany's 1918 fighter development through the story of the three Fighter Competitions with more than 215 rare photos illustrating 70 fighter designs, 65 color profiles, and performance specifications.

The German fighter competitions are discussed in the context of the evolving combat environment and Germany's strategic situation. Scale drawings of the Aviatik D.VI and D.VII, Kondor D.II, D.VI, and E.III, SSW D.VI, Fokker V29, Daimler L11, and Zeppelin D.I to 1/48 scale are included in the book's 166 pages.

This book describes and illustrates the development of German single-engine night bombers, or N-types, in WWI with text, 54 rare, period photos, 7 color photos, 9 color profiles, tables of information including production quantities, serial numbers of aircraft, technical specifications, 1/48 scale drawings of the AEG N.I and Sablatnig N.I, and 1/72 scale drawings of the BFW N.I. The origins and evolution of the N-class are discussed in the context of the German strategic and tactical situation.

This book describes and illustrates the development of German armored warplanes in WWI, primarily J-class infantry aircraft but including other experimental types, with text, more than 160 rare, contemporary photos, 38 color profiles, and tables of information including production quantities and serial numbers of aircraft and aircraft size and performance specifications.

The origin and evolution of the armored warplane designs are discussed in the context of the German strategic situation and the evolving combat environment. Scale drawings of four aircraft, the AEG J.I and J.II and the Albatros J.I and J.II, to 1/48 scale are included in the book's 116 pages.

Undoubtedly the most famous of any nation's aviation units in World War 1 was the legendary Jagdgeschwader Nr 1, or 'The Flying Circus' as its respectful foes labelled it. Germany's first true fighter wing, it would always be associated with its first commander, the charismatic and revered Manfred von Richthofen.
JG 1 was formed in July 1917, and for sixteen months the unit's young pilots in their colourful aircraft battled for aerial dominance of the Western Front. From its ranks emerged many of Germany's most successful airmen, including the Red Baron's brother Lothar; Ernst Udet; Werner Voss; Erich Löwenhardt and Hermann Göring.

This book charts the World War I experiences of JG 1.

Contents: Origins (the early careers of JG I's Jastas and formation of the Geschwader) - Summer Successes (JG I's operations in the 3rd Battle of Ypres, July - September 1917) - Triplane Trials (operations primarily with the Fokker Dr I through the Battle of Cambrai, October 1917 - February 1918) - The 'Kaiser's Battle' (operations during 'Operation Michael,' the last great German offensive of March - May 1918) - New Leaders, New Equipment - Fighting Retreat - Jagdstaffel and Geschwader Commanders of JG I - Aces' listing.

Manfred, Freiherr von Richthofen, was the top ace of the First World War, with eighty confirmed victories. He is also one of the most famous fighter pilots of all time. A Prussian nobleman, he started the war as an officer in an Uhlan cavalry unit, serving on both the Eastern and Western fronts.

In May 1915 he joined the flying service, initially as an observer, then as a pilot, flying two-seaters. In August 1916, ace fighter pilot, Oswald Boelcke recruited von Richthofen into a fighter squadron he was forming. He would later take command of Jasta 11, and then of Jagdgeschwader 1, the famous 'Flying Circus'. Manfred von Richthofen would be shot down and killed on 21 April 1918.

Using period images with text and captions taken from von Richthofen's 1917 autobiography, Der Rote Kampfflieger, this book vividly illustrates his extraordinary story.

Manfred von Richthofen - the Red Baron - was the most celebrated fighter pilot of the First World War, and was holder of the Blue Max, Pour le Mérite, Germany's highest military decoration. He was credited with 80 victories in the air, before being shot down in disputed circumstances aged 26. In this autobiography Richthofen tells not only his own story but also that of his contemporaries, their duels in the sky, ever present danger, fame, honour and spiralling death.

When modern readers think of Hermann Goering, what probably comes to mind is the overweight drug addict and convicted war criminal who cheated the hangman's noose at Nuremberg by committing suicide just hours before he was due to die. Or perhaps there is the image of his powerful German air force in the Second World War - the Luftwaffe - bombing defenceless European cities and towns in the early part of the war, until it was defeated by the Royal Air Force in the epic Battle of Britain. Perhaps the reader might think of Goering the debauched art collector who pirated captured collections all over Nazi Europe during the Occupation years.

All of these images are correct, but here we see another Hermann Goering: the slim, dashing fighter pilot and combat ace of an earlier struggle, the Great War of 1914-18, which he began as an infantry officer fighting the French Army in the 1914 Battle of the Frontiers.
During a hospitalization, his friend Bruno Lorzer convinced him to become an aerial observer-photographer, photographing the mighty French fortress of Verdun. He did, and began these never-before-seen personal photo albums of men and aircraft at war: up close.
This remarkable book - the first of an intimate series of photographic diaries - is an unique photographic record of the early years of this notorious figure.

This book describes and illustrates the development of German G-type bombers in WWI with text, 329 photos, 54 color profiles, production quantities and serial numbers of aircraft, and aircraft dimensions and performance specifications. In addition, four G-type bombers, the Albatros G.III and Rumpler G.I, G.II, and G.III are illustrated in 1/72 scale drawings.

This book describes and illustrates the development of Sablatnig, Kaiserliche Werften, Lübeck-Travemünde, LTG, and Oertz seaplanes of WWI with text, 110 photos, 19 color profiles, production quantities and serial numbers of aircraft, and aircraft dimensions and performance specifications.
In addition, there are 19 official SVK drawings and six aircraft, three Sablatnig and three Lübeck-Travemünde, are illustrated in 1/48 (2 drawings) or 1/72 (4 drawings) scale drawings.

This book describes and illustrates the development of German Navy seaplane fighters in WWI with text, 223 rare, contemporary photos, nine color photos, 27 color profiles, five evocative paintings, and tables of information including production quantities and serial numbers of aircraft and technical specifications.

The origins and evolution of each subclass of naval fighter, including single-seat floatplanes, single-seat flying boats, two-seat biplanes, and two-seat monoplanes are discussed in chapters for each class. German naval fighter production and procurement strategies are discussed in the context of the German strategic situation.

In addition, the book includes 1/48 scale drawings of eight aircraft types (the Brandenburg KDW, W16, W19, W25, W33, and W34 and the Rumpler 6B1 and 6B2) in its 150 pages.

In der Zeit von 1914 bis 1918 verzeichnete die Flugzeugentwicklung enorme Fortschritte und rund 100 Jahre nach Ausbruch des Ersten Weltkriegs wird dieser spannenden Ära mit diesem Band in bewährter und kompakter Form Rechnung getragen.
Sämtliche Flugzeuge und Entwicklungen von deutscher Seite werden in diesem Typenkompass vorgestellt und beschrieben - wie immer mit Leistungstabellen und zeitgenössischen Aufnahmen.

Ab 1917 wurden in Deutschland Grossflugzeuge als strategische Bomber gebaut. Dabei handelte es sich um meist viermotorige Doppeldecker, deren Flügelspannweite bereits 1918 an die 50 m betrug - und das nur wenige Jahre nach Beginn der eigentlichen Motorfliegerei.
Manche Bomber des Ersten Weltkriegs verfügten bereits über einen Abwurfmechanismus, mit dem die am unteren Flügel oder am Rumpf angebrachten Bomben ausgeklinkt wurden.

Jörg Mückler, ausgewiesener Experte auf dem Gebiet, zeichnet das Bild eines faszinierenden Kapitels der deutschen Luftfahrtgeschichte - illustriert mit spannendem und meist unveröffentlichtem Bildmaterial.