Osprey Military Aircraft : On Silver Wings : RAF Biplane Fighters Between the Wars

This book is an important contribution to the study of a period in British Military Aviation History that generally receives little attention. The years between the war saw the gradual development of the biplane fighter from WW1 wood and fabric designs to fast, high-powered all-metal interceptors. The authors cover all the major fighter designs used in front-line service by the RAF in the years between 1918 and 1939, from the Sopwith Snipe to the Gloster Gladiator. Each type is described in considerable detail, covering the main technical features, performance characteristics and service history. Highly accurate plans are provided for each aircraft. Good quality photographs are provided on almost every page, together with numerous colour plates. Despite the technical nature of the subject, an easy and accessible style broadens the appeal of the book. This is evident in the way the authors discuss the aesthetic appeal of the different designs and recount the human elements of the story, most notably the heroic exploits of test pilots. To summarise, this is an excellent book that sheds light on a fascinating period of aviation history. Text by Alec Lumsden and Owen Thetford.