The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II was the most-produced American supersonic military jet with 5,195 aircraft being produced. By any standards the F-4 has been incredibly successful, used not only by the USAF and US Navy but many air forces around the world including Germany, Israel, Turkey and Japan.The F-4 was designed as a long-range fighter interceptor and fighter bomber, excellent in all roles assigned to it. The Phantom has performed leading roles in multiple conflicts around the world from the Vietnam War through to the Gulf War. Although the F-4 left US service in 1996 it has continued in service with other air forces, only just being retired in 2020 from the Japanese Air Self-Defence Force.This new title in Pen & Sword's highly successful Flight Craft series covers the development and operational use of the F-4 Phantom II and brings to life the variety of color schemes and markings applied by many of the multiple air arms that have operated the Phantom around the world by including quality color profiles.Multiple model projects are included covering significant variants of the F-4 like the F-4B, F-4D, F-4E, F-4F, F-4G, F-4J, F-4EJ-Kai; British FGR-2 and F-4J(UK). All the popular model scales are represented: 1:72, 1:48 and 1:32A first for scale modellers everywhere - a book aimed at scale modellers of all levels interested in building the F-4 Phantom II.
Modern historians have consistently condemned the Abwehr, Germany's military intelligence service, and its SS equivalent, the Sicherheitsdienst, as incompetent and corrupt. However, newly declassified MI5, CIA and US Counterintelligence Corps files shed a very different light on the capabilities of the German intelligence machine.
Spies have made an extraordinary impact on the history of the 20th Century, but fourteen in particular can be said to have been demonstrably important.
The 'ShipCraft' series provides in-depth information about building and modifying model kits of famous warships. Previously, these have generally covered plastic and resin models of 20th century subjects, but this volume is a radical departure - not only a period sailing ship but one for which kits are available in many different materials and scales. This requires some changes to the standard approach, but the main features of the series remain constant.Victory, Nelson's flagship at Trafalgar, is probably the world's most famous sailing warship, and survives in restored form at Portsmouth. With lavish illustration, this book takes the modeller through a brief history of the ship, highlighting differences in appearance over her long career. Detailed color profiles reveal decorative detail and changes to paint schemes over 250 years, and outline some of the debatable features experts still disagree about. The modelling section reviews the strengths and weaknesses of available kits, lists commercial accessory sets for super-detailing, and provides hints on modifying and improving the basic kit, including the complexities of rigging. This is followed by an extensive photographic gallery of selected high-quality models in a variety of scales, and coverage concludes with a section on research references - books, monographs, large-scale plans and relevant websites.Following the pattern of the series, this book provides an unparalleled level of visual information - paint schemes, models, line drawings and photographs - and is simply the best reference for anyone setting out to model this imposing three-decker.
The Edwardian castles of north Wales were built by a Savoyard master mason, but also by many other artisans from Savoy.
Few people in Britain had heard much about the Falkland Islands before the Argentine invasion of 1982. Since then they have rarely been out of the headlines, and the story of the recapture of the islands by British forces is one that has been told many times. Yet, surprisingly, there are still some elements of that memorable conflict that remain largely unknown - not least among which is the uniforms and equipment that were used.In this highly-illustrated publication, soldier-historian Mark Magreehan has assembled an unrivalled collection of original items of uniforms and equipment used by the British troops who operated and served in that memorable war deep in the South Atlantic. Among the units covered, are 40 and 42 Commando, the 2nd and 3rd battalions of the Parachute Regiment and the Scots Guards. Headgear, footwear, rucksacks, packs, helmets, combat and working gear, smocks, Arctic issue reversable waterproofs, windproof clothing and insignia, are all included, both for officers and other ranks, and even some items from the secretive SAS.Accompanied by a varied selection of color and monochrome photographs taken of the men, by the men, during the fighting and the aftermath of battle, enriched with numerous personal accounts by the veterans, this book provides the reader with an unprecedented, exceptionally detailed view of what the troops wore, carried and fought with in the fighting to recapture the Falklands Islands.
By exploring the wide range of interconnected factors that influence the results of battles, the authors broaden the study of this aspect of military history from a narrow focus on isolated episodes of conflict.
John Franklin has been collecting traditional toy soldiers for over sixty years, mostly Britains but, as the title suggests, including other interesting additions. In this book he shares some of the in-depth knowledge gained through experience and countless hours of careful research, but most of all the passion and enthusiasm for his hobby. He explains how he was inspired to collect soldiers, like so many, in early boyhood and how a hobby grew into an obsession. The various chapters then examine themes he followed in his collecting, such as Britains Special Painting Orders and Indian Army Pipe Bands for example, or address questions regarding the manufacture or identity of specific sets that he has researched or, in some cases, is still seeking the answer to. It is packed with anecdotes, useful technical information and helpful advice for the collector but it is above all a proud tour of inspection of a sixty-year labour of love. Over four hundred photographs, show much of the author's magnificent collection in a parade of miniature pomp and splendour.
Just hearing the phrase the East End summons up images of slums and dark alleyways, with Jack the Ripper appearing from the mist, or housing estates and pubs where you might find the Kray twins. It is a place of poverty and menace, yet these images can prevent us from seeing the reality of life east of the City of London, and of its dark history. This study features stories of crimes and misdeeds that show what life was like in this area before the 'East End' existed. They also reflect the changes caused as the settlements of the Tower Hamlets became absorbed by the new metropolis of London.As there is nothing new under the sun, so these stories find their modern counterparts in our times. However, they also take us into unfamiliar territory as they bring to light the often forgotten past that underlies the present-day streets and lurks behind the facades of some of the areas older buildings. Many of the stories will be unfamiliar and indeed strange, but yet they show how the character and notoriety of the City's famous shadow has been formed. Paying scrupulous attention to place, this volume features a wealth of specially-commissioned photographs, allowing the reader to locate these stories in the present-day London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
Loos is a small mining town between Lens and La Bassee in northern France. But on 25th September 1915, and for a few days after, it was the center of one of the most intense and bloody battles of the First World War.
This well researched and well written book covers the early campaigns and battles that earned The Desert Rats their fame and name.This volume covers the difficult early years when ultimate victory was less than certain. The Nazis were victorious on many fronts and Britain stood alone. Indeed it was at El Alamein that 7 armored Division and the rest of Montgomerys Eighth Army turned the tide. The church bells rang out in Britain and a new spirit was born. But much fighting lay ahead and many were to die. The successful completion of the North African campaign led to the invasion of Sicily and the long slog up Italy.The Desert Rats were at the forefront of these campaigns. Three Victoria Crosses were won in the desert and many famous names were associated with the Division, such as Field Marshal Lord Carver and Major General Pip Roberts.The Divisions story is told by many first hand contributions and is the result of painstaking research by the author who was also a Desert Rat.
Here, Dr Jeremy Armstrong traces the development of Rome's military might from its earliest discernible origins down to the First Punic War.
Bernard Paget enjoyed a hugely successful military career which culminated in his top level appointments in WW2.
Fascinating for its gripping and factual re-creation of the bomber-fighter/flak encounters, the confrontations in captivity between PoWs and Stalag guards, Escape from Hitler's Reich provides a real insight into the war as those who 'fell from formation' saw it.
Adolf Hitler's Great War military experiences in no way qualified him for supreme command. Yet by July 1940, under his personal leadership the Third Reich's armed forces had defeated Poland, Czechoslovakia, Holland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium and France. The invasion of Great Britain was a distinct reality following Dunkirk. Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania had become allies along with the acquiescent military powers of Mussolini's Italy and Franco's Spain. These achievements prompted Field Marshal Willem Keitel, the Wehrmacht's Chief of Staff, to pronounce Hitler to be 'the Greatest Commander of all time'.Storm clouds were gathering, most notably the disastrous decision to tear up the treaty with the Soviet Union and launch Operation Barbarossa in 1941. As described in this meticulously researched and highly readable book, Hitler's blind ideology, racist hatred and single-mindedness led him and his allies inexorably to devastating defeat. How far was it good luck that gave Hitler his sensational early political and military successes? Certainly fortune played a major role in his survival from many assassination attempts and sex scandals. The author concludes, from 1941 onwards, the Fuhrer's downfall was entirely attributable to military misjudgments that he alone made.Lucky: Hitler's Big Mistakes exposes the enigmatic Dictator for what he really was - incredibly lucky and militarily incompetent.
Liz McConaghy, from a small town in County Down, spent a total of seventeen years flying with the RAF's Chinook Fleet.
Already a pre-war airfield, it was in 1915 that the land was requisitioned for use by the Royal Fling Corps.
Nazi UFOs tells the strange tale of how, following the first alleged flying saucer sightings made in the USA in 1947, a series of fantasists and neo-fascists came forward to create a media myth that the Nazis may have invented these incredible craft as a means for winning the Second World War.
The bundle of 31 letters, the pages of which had long yellowed with age, had lain hidden in the attic where they were found for over a century. Only when the razor-sharp script was examined further did historians discover just who had written them - and that person, Alois, was Adolf Hitler's father.
Warfare was a crucial aspect of Celtic society, deeply linked to the spreading of their culture through all Europe.
Many enthusiasts dream of finding a Bugatti or a Bentley in a barn or a long disused building. In reality, such finds are more likely to be an Austin 7, Ford Popular or a Mini. This book is stuffed with these so called "barn finds".
This book looks at Elizabeth's life through some of the many artifacts, buildings, documents and institutions that survive to this day.
For a great deal of the 1930s, Don Bradman was considered the most famous sportsman in the world. By any measure - stats, acclaim - it appeared to be a straightforward decision. The same could be argued for Mohammad Ali in the 1960s or Lionel Messi in the 2010s. But when, exactly, did they take their titles, from whom, and when did their reigns come to an end? For boxers it might be possible to narrow it down to the actual date, but for other sportsmen - and women - it is more difficult. Athletes have been feted for their sporting prowess since ancient times, and since the advent of professional sport in the early 18th Century there have been champions celebrated throughout the world. This book aims to give a clearer idea of who was - at any point in time - the greatest athlete in the world - even if the world was unaware of it at the time.
A History of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts: Brownies, Rainbows and WAGGGS charts the evolution of the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from its early days as a movement started before WW1 right through to the modern day. With real life interviews with Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from their 90s down to young children, this book looks at what being a Girl Guide has meant through the ages up to the present day. With dramatic and often emotional stories of what it was like to be an evacuated Brownie in the Second World War, a disabled Girl Guide and with tales of girls' heroism throughout the two great wars both in the UK and the United States, this book extols the Guiding and Scouting movement as one that has evolved with women and girls' rights and its hopes for the future.
This beginner's guide to growing your own food is the perfect introduction to homegrown planting and growing.
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