Production Line to Frontline SC (1998-2003 Osprey) comic books

Volume 1 - 1st printing. "North American Aviation P-51 Mustang!" Written by Michael O'Leary. Regarded as the finest US fighter of the World War II, the Mustang was built in astonishing numbers - 7956 P-51Ds alone - as the might of America's overwhelming industrial base swung into line behind the nation's global war effort. This new series follows the great fighter types of the conflict from the raw metal phase, through construction and testing, to the combat theatres of Europe, the Middle East, China/Burma/India and the Pacific. Using official and private archival black and white and colour material, all the facts behind the Mustang's construction are revealed. Complemented by an introductory text explaining the production processes involved and the evolution of the fighter, plus detailed photo captions, the professional images taken by North American Aviation's own photographic department set the scene for the later front line views captured by air and ground crews and USAAF photographers alike. The detailed appendices include comprehensive production batch lists of aircraft constructed during the war years, scale drawings illustrating all major types and a cutaway over a double page spread. Softcover, 144 pages, Text (with B&W photos) Cover price $21.95.

Volume 2 - 1st printing. "Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress!" Written by Michael O'Leary. Evolved from a pre-war prototype designed by Seattle-based Boeing, the B-17 went on to become the icon of the USAAF during World War II, finding employment in all theaters. Through a selection of professional black-and-white images taken during the war, this volume shows the bomber on production lines and performing many of its varied operations in the war-torn skies over Germany and the Pacific. A special eight-page section provides a unique slice of period color in the form of several company advertisements that have not been seen in print since the war. Comprehensive appendices include production batch lists of aircraft constructed during the war years and their delivery dates, scale drawings of all major types, and a double-page cutaway. A special introductory text outlines B-17 history and production techniques.. Softcover, 144 pages, Text (with B&W photos) Cover price $21.95.

Volume 3 - 1st printing. "Lockheed P-38 Lightning!" Written by Michael O'Leary. The innovative P-38 was produced in response to the need for a long range and high altitude fighter to escort the B-17 bomber fleet. A history of the plane from design to frontline use, this book includes archival photographs and production notes. Softcover, 144 pages, Text (with B&W photos) Cover price $21.95.

Add to cart Near Mint $12.00

Add to cart Near Mint $12.00

Volume 4 - 1st printing. "Consolidated B-24 Liberator!" Written by Michael O'Leary. Commissioned to replace the B-17, when production ended 18,475 Liberators had been made, making it the most produced American aircraft of World War II. This volume features a selection of rare company advertisements as well as detailed appendices of production details. Softcover, 144 pages, Text (with B&W photos) Cover price $21.95.

Volume 5 - 1st printing. "Focke-Wulf Fw 190!" Written by Malcolm V. Lowe. Arguably Germany's best fighter of the war, the Fw 190 caught the RAF by surprise when it appeared in 1941. It remained unmatched in combat until the advent of the Spitfire Mk IX late the following year. Variants of the Fw 190 saw action against the Allies on all fronts of the war in Europe, remaining in action right up to VE-Day. This volume illustrates the Fw 190's varied operations through a hand-picked selection of professional black and white images taken during the war years, plus a colour selection reproducing archival photography that has not been seen in print since the war. Softcover, 144 pages, Text (with B&W photos) Cover price $21.95.