Defiant, Blenheim and Havoc Aces

Defiant, Blenheim and Havoc Aces cover

Defiant, Blenheim and Havoc Aces

Quantity
In stock
£15.29 RRP £16.99 Website price saving £1.70 (10%)

This product is usually dispatched within 10-14 days

Description

An illustrated history of three pioneering fighters. The Defiant and the Blenheim enjoying early successes until they came up against the vastly superior Messerschmitt Bf 109, and the American-built Havoc.

The Blenheim IF flew some of Fighter Command's early offensive operations, and the type soon proved vulnerable when pitted against single-seat fighters. However, for much of 1940 the Blenheim fighter squadrons provided the RAF's main long-range convoy escort and nightfighter capability. In the mid-1930s, in an attempt to capitalise on its expertise in power-operated gun turrets, the Boulton Paul Company developed the Defiant, a single-engined fighter in which all the armament was concentrated in the turret behind the pilot. Intended as a 'bomber destroyer', the Defiant had its combat debut over Dunkirk, and initially achieved some considerable success.

A number of American-built aircraft called Douglas DB-7 light bombers (named Havoc by the RAF), were fitted with radar for nightfighter duties and others successfully replaced the Blenheim as night intruders. As this book outlines, a total of 11 pilots claimed five or more victories when flying these three types to become aces, whilst no fewer than 33 who became aces claimed at least part of their scores when flying the Blenheim, Defiant or Havoc.

Table of Contents

Early Day Operations
Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain
Early Night Operations
Overseas Operations
Valediction
Appendices
- Blenheim, Defiant & Havoc Aces
- Aces with some Blenheim, Defiant & Havoc claims
- Aces that flew Blenheim, Defiant & Havoc but made no claims
- Colour Plates Commentary

Product details

Published 20 Jun 2012
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781849086660
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 91 b/w
Dimensions 248 x 184 mm
Series Aircraft of the Aces
Short code ACE 105
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Andrew Thomas

Andrew Thomas is one of Britain's leading RAF rese…

Illustrator

Chris Davey

Chris Davey has illustrated more than 70 titles fo…

Resources

Discover More

Visit our exclusive member's website to see artwork, maps, and more from this book.

Resources

Book Vote

Tell us what titles you would like to see published by Osprey, then vote for your favourites in our monthly book vote!

Related Titles

Sign up for Osprey membership for access to thousands of plane profiles, maps, battle scenes and more. Plus up to 30% off website purchases

Free UK delivery for orders £30 and over