August Book Vote: Duel (Aviation)

This month's book vote sees five Duel (Aviation) titles battling for your support. Read the full descriptions and have your say by clicking on the link below. Plus, check out the results of last month's Elite book vote. 

Spitfire V/IX vs Fw 190A (Channel Front 1942–44)

RAF Coastal Command vs Ju 88 (Atlantic 1941–45)

AH-1 Cobra Gunship vs NVA Armour (Vietnam 1967–72)

Beaufighter vs Ju 87 Stuka (Mediterranean 1944–45)

British AA Defence vs Luftwaffe Bombers (1940)

Spitfire V/IX vs Fw 190A (Channel Front 1942–44)

The appearance of the outstanding Fw 190A in France in late 1941 spurred the RAF on into developing the best Merlin-engined Spitfire of World War 2, the Mk IX. The latter type, ably supported by the Spitfire V (which had previously struggled to defeat the superior Fw 190 in aerial combat), took the fight to the Luftwaffe during fighter sweeps and bomber escort missions from Dieppe to D-Day.

RAF Coastal Command vs Ju 88 (Atlantic 1941–45)

Coastal Command long-range patrol aircraft (Sunderland and Catalina flying boats and land-based Fortress I/IIs and Liberators) routinely engaged powerfully armed Ju 88s patrolling the Western Approaches and the Bay of Biscay in search of Allied ships or escorting Fw 200 Condors. Some bloody clashes ensued, resulting in casualties on both sides.

AH-1 Cobra Gunship vs NVA Armour (Vietnam 1967–72)

Among the hardest-worked and most effective of the helicopter types in Vietnam during the long-running conflict were the purpose-built AH-1 Cobra gunships, which could bring devastating firepower on NVA armour and heavy weapons at much closer quarters than fixed-wing aircraft. The fast, agile Cobra, teamed with other scout and gunship types, became such an effective weapon that NVA troops often avoided shooting at it to avoid massive, instant retribution.

Beaufighter vs Ju 87 Stuka (Mediterranean 1944–45)

This particular duel was not between ‘apex predators’ but two types that were being replaced and going out of production but which proved they could still give valuable service in their ‘twilight years’. The Ju 87 was tasked with undertaking the Nachtschlacht (night attack) role over Italy from 1944, targeting Allied supply lines and choke points. They were opposed by radar-equipped Beaufighters of both the RAF and USAAF, which proved highly effective in countering the threat posed by the Stukas.

British AA Defence vs Luftwaffe Bombers (1940)

The contribution made by the British Army and the guns of Anti-Aircraft (AA) Command during the Battle of Britain is often overshadowed by the heroics of RAF Fighter Command. British AA guns were often dismissed or rarely mentioned in the hundreds of books written about the battle. While Fighter Command shot down the lion’s share of Luftwaffe aircraft, the guns did their fair share, and contributed greatly in many unmeasured and hidden ways. Formations broken up and bombers damaged by flak were easy prey for fighters.

Last month, we asked what you would like to see published in our New Vanguard series. Thank you to everyone who voted and provided feedback. The results saw one book taking a clear lead. Check out the full results below to find out more!