Nonfiction - General - aviation

Return To Flight is a Spitfire enthusiasts dream. It covers the people associated with the Spitfire; the history of Spitfire PV270; the career of New Zealand Spitfire Ace, Al Deere; and the experiences of the pilots who flew these fighter planes. It also includes a detailed look at the first restoration of a Spitfire PV270 in New Zealand and photographs of it in action. 304 pages 372 colour & 121 b/w illustrations

This is an account of that global campaign and the role of the New Zealanders who served as pilots, navigators, gunners, wireless operators, bomb aimers and ground staff from so many far flung airfields and ship.The book is largely about men, because that is the way it was: women were confined to support roles. Today their ranks are rapidly thinning and this is a tribute to their greatness. Some 67,000 New Zealanders served in the Royal New Zealand Air force, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy

Gift Set including a 64-page paperback book with a 50-minute DVD Spitfire Defender of the Skies in large format slipcase. Spitfire tells how R J Mitchell's design for a single engined fighter became the legend that is Spitfire. Celebrate its 75th Anniversary by finding out more about this transport icon with this superbly illustrated book and accompanying DVD.

This magnificent book contains a selection of more than 200 images of New Zealand from the air. Taken from the White's Aviation collection at the Alexander Turnbull Library, these images of towns, cities, landforms and events were taken from the 1930s to the 1970s, and show a landscape still familiar in some cases and changed beyond recognition in others. These stunning black and white images represent an important phase in New Zealand's aviation, aerial photography and publishing industries, and are fascinating to look at. They co... read more

The legendary Avro Lancaster receives the famous Haynes manual treatment with the full co-operation and authorisation of the Royal Air Force. Here is a unique insight into what it takes to restore and operate a Lancaster, as well as a wonderful insight into the engineering and construction of this remarkable aeroplane. Presented mainly in colour, this highly detailed and attractively designed book is based primarily around the major overhaul of the Battle of Britain Flight Lancaster at RAF Coningsby.

In his seventh aviation history book, Bruce McAllister brings together the largest collection of photographs of the world's most legendary aircraft - the DC-3. The book's release is timed to the aircraft's 75th anniversary - hundreds of DC-3s are still in service today, almost 75 years after the first one rolled off the production line in 1935. With seventeen chapters covering many of the civilian and military operations in which the DC-3 has participated, McAllister has gathered some 250 high quality photographs from around the wo... read more

During the Battle of Britain, the RAF's Hawker Hurricane fighter won lasting fame alongside the Supermarine Spitfire. Over 11,700 examples were eventually built of this versatile and deadly combat aircraft that fulfilled an incredible number of contrasting roles. This innovative manual provides a close-up look at the Hurricane's construction together with insights into what it takes to own and fly this classic fighter and how engineers keep it airworthy, as well as the historical background of the aircraft's illustrious Second Worl... read more

In Civil Aircraft we showcase the best aircraft currently in production from around the world, from small regional aircraft to the new Airbus A380 Super Jumbo and beyond to the Virgin Galactic Spaceship One with over 400 photographs.

The Luftwaffe's Messerschmitt Bf109 single-seat fighter was the main combat adversary of the RAF's Hurricanes and Spitfires in the Battle of Britain. This sister volume to the acclaimed "Spitfire Manual" covers the history of the Bf109, restoration to flight, the views of owners, pilots and engineers, and operating and servicing insights. Data boxes cover Bf109 facts and figures, plus interviews with Luftwaffe pilots and modern-day owner-pilots. Illustrated with a mix of specially commissioned colour and archive photographs, the "B... read more

Drawing on a recently discovered long-lost radio message, Elgin and Maria Long re-create the events inside the cockpit of the doomed Electra flown by Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan. The authors debunk the myths that Earhart and Noonan were captured by Japanese soldiers or cannibalistic island tribespeople. Instead, they offer overwhelming evidence that the plane ran out of fuel short of its Howland Island destination. Letting the facts speak for themselves, the authors go well beyond simply solving the long-standing myst... read more

This is the first book to give a comprehensive account of the entire design career of legendary aircraft designer Reginald J. Mitchell. Renowned as the creator of the iconic Supermarine Spitfire fighter, Mitchell was also responsible for the sleek record-breaking seaplane aircraft that won outright the Schneider Trophy in 1931, and other classic designs such as the Stranraer and Southampton flying boats. John Shelton examines Mitchell's 28 designs and recounts how each of his aircraft emerged in response to contemporary requirement... read more

The legendary Supermarine Spitfire receives the famous Haynes manual treatment with the full co-operation and authorisation of the Royal Air Force. Here is a unique perspective on what it takes to own, restore and operate a Spitfire as well as a wonderful insight into the engineering and construction of this remarkable aeroplane. Presented mainly in colour, this highly detailed and attractively designed book is based around the restoration of the Spitfire Mk XVI at RAF Coningsby.

Silver Wings tells the story of New Zealand’s women flyers, from the 1920s, when a woman’s place was deemed to be on the ground (preferably in the home), until the present day, when women fly every type of aircraft and are involved in aviation sport of all kinds. After 22 December 1925, when Gladys Sandford became the first woman in New Zealand to obtain a pilot licence, more and more women followed her example, despite some prejudice from male colleagues, from the aviation industry and from friends. Among the courageou... read more

As much a national hero as Wellington, Nelson or Montgomery, the Supermarine Spitfire has become the most recognisable icon of World War 2 for several generations of Britons. From the throaty growl of its Rolls-Royce Merlin or Griffon, to its beautifully tapered elliptical wings, the Spitfire is a true aeronautical thoroughbred. Regarded by many as the saviour of the Sceptred Isle 'in its darkest hour', the Spitfire is without a doubt the most famous combat aircraft the world has ever seen. The year 2000 celebrates the 60th anniver... read more

Compiled from Doug Brown’s letters and reminiscences during his time during World War 2. From the outbreak of war when having a weekend away at Chateau Tongariro with his mates when they all decide to sign up, the book traces training at Levin and Whenuapai, transit to Canada on the Awatea for further training on Harvards. Combat action included 2 years with 485 Squadron based in England, a period in Fighter Leader School and Pre-Invasion School training other pilots, and a second tour of duty in 130 Squadron based in Holland... read more

This book reveals as never before the military might of the various military aviation forces serving the United States today: the Air force, the Army. The Navy, and the Marine Corps. To create the spectacular images in this book the author and other photographers have flown 'up close and dirty' in and next to enormous bombers such as the all-powerful B-52 and the stealthy B-2 Spirit. They have gone down among the weeds with the tank-busting A-10 Thunderbolt II, have hurtled through the sky with fighters such as the Eagle, Hornet an... read more

The trans-Atlantic air race of 1927 and the flight that made Charles Lindbergh a hero The race to make the first nonstop flight between the New York and Paris attracted some of the most famous and seasoned aviators of the day, yet it was the young and lesser known Charles Lindbergh who won the $25,000 Orteig Prize in 1927 for his history-making solo flight in the Spirit of St. Louis. Drawing on many previously overlooked sources, Bak offers a fresh look at the personalities that made up this epic air race - a deadly competition tha... read more