Aircraft of the Royal Air Force since 1918 - Owen Thetford

First published in 1957, this revised edition with new photographs and expanded text also features a a revised and augmented collection of three-view drawings.;This book provides a comprehensive guide to every aircraft ever used by the RAF since the establishment in April 1918 to the present day, ranging from the Snipe and Bristol Fighter of World War I and the 1920s, to the Tornado and Eurofighter 2000 of modern times. All aspects are covered, including general evolution, service history, the personalities involved, allocation to squadrons, technical and performance data, serial number details and production statistics. The major RAF aircraft are supplemented by a lengthy appendix covering all miscellaneous types, from the Airspeed Courier to the EH 101 helicopter.;The book also encompasses other significant subjects, such as civil aircraft impressed for wartime service, RAF gliders, nuclear weapons and missiles, Orders of Battle, and inventories of RAF aircraft on strength at key dates in its history.