The Avro Lancaster was possibly the finest bomber of World War Two. Capable of lifting huge loads, yet a delight to fly, it spearheaded Bomber Command's night offensive over Germany. Post-war it went on to serve as a maritime patrol aircraft, and served into the 1950s. The full story of this enigmatic aircraft from its develop...

This is a guide for spotters and enthusiasts interested in airliners, feederliners, executive jets, light aircraft and other commercial aeroplanes. It contains three-view silhouettes, colour photographs, dimensions, technical specifications and a potted history of those aircraft most likely to be seen in the skies and at airpor...

Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is the story of the ‘missile with a man in it’, Lockheed’s Mach 2 interceptor, that served across the world for over thirty years. Here, Martin W Bowman tells of the design, production and long career of this impressive and sometimes misunderstood aeroplane. With a fine collection of photographs and ...

Lightning! One of the best-named aircraft of WW2, the Lockheed P-38 was also one of the few fighters in production throughout hostilities. Immediately recognizable by its twin-boom tail layout, the P-38 Lightning was one of the mainstays of the USAAFs fighter inventory. Deployed in all theatres, Lightnings excelled in most, be...

The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird remains to this day the most sophisticated manned spyplane ever built and operated. It grew from the CIA-funded A-12, which made its maiden flight at the legendary Area 51 on 26 April 1962. The A-12 was developed into the legendary SR-71 Blackbird, but not before its siblings, the F-12 and M-21 were...

The Messerschmitt 262 takes its place in history as the world's first turbojet powered combat aircraft. Messerschmitt Me 262 covers the aeroplane's development in 1938 and operational use in 1944. Personalities and events surrounding the story are covered including a listing of all sub-types and surviving airframes. Fully illu...

The P-51 Mustang is one of the greatest warplanes of all time. Developed as a private venture, it was seized upon by the British as the answer to their shortage of fighter aircraft in the early months of World War Two. Early Allison-engined Mustangs lacked performance at high altitude, but the great promise of the airframe was ...