Dogfight Military Aircraft Compared and Contrasted

Coined in the pioneer years of military aviation during World War I, the term "dogfight" refers to an aerial battle between two opposing aircraft, with each pilot making the most of his machine's speed and agility to shoot down his opponent. A skilled pilot could exploit the particular merits of his aircraft to ensure victory over his enemy. Dogfight is a fascinating exploration of the world's finest military aircraft, compared and contrasted--from the German Fokker D.III of World War I, ranged against the Allied SPAD XIII, through famous World War II adversaries such as the Hurricane and the Bf109,to modern aircraft which have met in combat such as the MiG-29 and the F-16. Aircraft that served in similar roles, such as the Lockheed Hudson and the Focke-Wulf Fw 200, are also compared, as are types such as trainers and transport aircraft which served on opposing sides. This book also evaluates rival aircraft which saw service on the same side, analyzing which fared best in combat against a common adversary. Each aircraft is illustrated with a spectacular thee-quater-view artwork, accompained by detailed specifications and development history. The squadron history of the illustrated aircraft is also provided, while the main text features first-hand accounts ofmain text features first-hand accounts of flying the aircraft -- and, where relevant, tales if actual air combat----accompanied by color and black-and-white archive photography.