Comic books in 'War'

Volume 50 - 1st printing. " B-52 Stratofortress Units in Operation Desert Storm!" Written by Jon Lake. Art by Mark Styling. With the ending of the Cold War, the B-52's traditional combat role became redundant, and the USAF looked for new ways to use the machine. The invasion of Kuwait by Iraq in August 1990 gave the B-52 the chance to prove its worth in the new world order, and Stratofortress crews flying the B-52G seized the opportunity with both hands. This book explains how, flying from bases in the Indian Ocean, Britain, Spain and Saudi Arabia, the B-52G was at the forefront of the campaign to free Kuwait of Saddam's forces and dropped the first bombs of Operation Desert Storm. Softcover, 98 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $22.95.

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Volume 51 - 1st printing. " RA-5C Vigilante Units in Combat!" Written by Robert R Powell. Art by Jim Laurier. Developed from the A-5 nuclear bomber and used in a reconnaissance role, the RA-5C Vigilante was the largest and fastest aeroplane ever to operate from the deck of an aircraft carrier. During the Vietnam War it sustained the highest loss ratio of any American aircraft in that conflict. This volume includes compelling accounts of combat missions over key communist targets, where crews dodged Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) and anti-aircraft fire to secure all-important mission photographs. Written by a Vigilante combat veteran this book is crammed full of action-packed first-hand accounts. Softcover, 98 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $22.95.

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Volume 53 - 1st printing. " F-15C Eagle Units in Combat!" Written by Steve Davies. Art by Chris Davey and Mark Styling. The F-15A/C is irrefutably the most successful jet fighter of the last 30 years. Serving in the Air Forces of Israel, the United States and Saudi Arabia, it has racked up a kill ratio exceeding 105:0. Despite its age, it remains the leading operational air superiority and intercept platform in service today. The hi-tech wizardry of modern air combat detailed in this book makes for fascinating reading, even to those not immediately familiar with modern airpower, and a huge pool of previously unpublished information on both aircrafts' combat records is uncovered. Softcover, 98 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $22.95.

Volume 54 - 1st printing. "C-47/R4D Units of the ETO and MTO!" Written by David Isby. Art by Chris Davey. The C-47 units of the USAAF were an integral part of some of the most dramatic episodes of the European war: the airborne assaults in North Africa, Sicily, Normandy, southern France, Operation Market Garden and the crossing of the Rhine. The mass fratricide off Sicily, the night drop for D-Day and the Bastogne supply missions are also covered, along with more typical accounts of training, formation flying, airdrops and casualty evacuation missions. This book details an aircraft that remains a popular favourite and an acknowledged design classic, carrying out missions every bit as strategically important and as dramatic for the aircrew as those of the fighters and bombers. Softcover, 98 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $22.95.

Volume 55 - 1st printing. " USAF F-4 Phantom II MiG Killers 1972-73!" Written by Peter Davies. Art by Jim Laurier. The F-4 Phantom II was the USAF workhorse fighter-bomber for the Linebacker campaign, which eventually saw US forces withdraw from Vietnam 'with honour' in 1973. This book covers the F-4 attacks on numerous targets in North Vietnamese cities such as Hanoi and Haiphong, as well as its engagements with Vietnamese MiG-19s and MiG-21s hell-bent on defending the north from 'Yankee air pirates'. The USAF's only ace crew, which scored their five kills during 1972, is also covered in a book containing many detailed photographs, a large proportion of which haven't been published before. Softcover, 98 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $22.95.

Volume 56 - 1st printing. " US Marine Corps and RAAF Hornet Units of Operation Iraqi Freedom!" Written by Tony Holmes. Art by Chris Davey. Some 84 of the 250 Hornets committed by Central Command to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) proudly bore MARINE titling on their rear fuselages. A further 14 were marked with the distinctive kangaroo roundel of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The exploits achieved by the units that flew these jets into combat is detailed in this volume, the third of three titles published in the Combat Aircraft series on what has been dubbed by many TACAIR insiders the 'Hornet's War'. Although the bulk of this book deals with the major hostilities phase of OIF I, which ran from 20 March to 20 April 2003, the decade of pre-war OSW missions and ongoing post-war OIF II operations are also covered in significant detail from the Marine Corps perspective. Profusely illustrated with rare frontline photography and more than 30 specially commissioned colour artworks, this book also features the combat experiences of 24 pilots and Weapons Systems Officers. Softcover, 98 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $22.95.

Volume 57 - 1st printing. " AH-64 Apache Units of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom!" Written by Jonathan Bernstein. Art by Jim Laurier. After the attacks on 11 September 2001, Apache units made significant contributions to the Coalition campaign against Taliban and al-Qaeda forces in Afghanistan. Functioning as the 'killer' part of US Army Hunter-killer teams, Apaches sought out and brought overwhelming firepower to bear on Taliban and al-Qaeda forces, as well as providing direct support to Coalition troops on the ground. Apaches spearheaded the advance of the 3rd Infantry and the 101st airborne divisions into Iraq, engaging in some of the heaviest fighting along the western axis of advance. Weather and enemy fire took a heavy toll on Apaches operating in Western Iraq, but the resilience and flexibility of the Apache was central to the success of this campaign. Softcover, 98 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $22.95.

Volume 62 - 1st printing. " US Navy PBY Catalina Units of the Pacific War!" Written by Louis B Dorny. Art by Jim Laurier. Deadly in its primary role as a submarine hunter, the PBY Catalina was the scourge of the Imperial Japanese Navy's submarine force. Its amphibious traits also made the aircraft well suited to air-sea rescue, and thousands of Allied airmen were saved from a watery grave by PBY crews. Using personal interviews, war diaries and combat reports combined with original Japanese records and books, Louis B Dorny provides a view on the role of the Catalina from both side of the war. Illustrated with over 80 photographs and colour profiles detailing aircraft markings, this is the definitive history of an insight into the PBY's use by the US Navy and Allied forces in the Pacific during World War 2. Softcover, 98 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $22.95.

Volume 64 - 1st printing. "B-2A Spirit Units in Combat!" Written by Thomas Withington. Art by Chris Davey. The B-2A 'Spirit' was an aircraft conceived to fight the Cold War but which has proved invaluable to both the 'New World Order' and more recently the 'War on Terrorism'. The combination of low-observability, precision strike, range and payload flexibility has made the 'Spirit' the weapon of choice when America hits its enemies at the start of a campaign. Spirits have fired the first shots of Operation 'Allied Force' over Kosovo and Serbia, as well as operations 'Enduring Freedom' and 'Iraqi Freedom'. Despite the tremendous cost of the aircraft - each unit is literally worth its weight in gold - the B-2 has had an impact on modern warfare which has vastly exceeded this small force of 21 bombers. Developed in utmost secrecy, the B-2's gestation saw the use of new computer design and manufacturing techniques and ultra-modern synthetic materials making it the most revolutionary aircraft in terms of design and performance. This book examines these incredible aircraft. Softcover, 98 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $22.95.

Volume 65 - 1st printing. "US Navy PBY Catalina Units of the Atlantic War!" Written by Ragnar J Ragnarsson. Art by Jim Laurier. Several books have been written about US naval patrol aviation in World War 2, but none do full justice to the role played by patrol squadrons of the US Navy in the longest, most bitterly fought campaign of the war - the Battle of the Atlantic. From the Arctic to the Equator, anti-submarine aircraft of the US Navy patrolled both sides of the stormy Atlantic alongside their allied counterparts, escorting merchant shipping through submarine-infested waters - the crucial lifeline from the United States to Great Britain and the Mediterranean, and staging troops and supplies for the ultimate liberation of North Africa and Europe. This book details the PBY Catalina, without contest the most successful flying boat ever designed, and a key element in the success of the Atlantic War. Softcover, 98 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $22.95.

Volume 66 - 1st printing. "C-47/R4D Skytrain Units of the Pacific and CBI !" Written by David Isby. Art by Chris Davey. From Pearl Harbor to VJ-Day, the humble Douglas C-47/R4D carried out missions every bit as strategically important, and as dramatic for the aircrew involved, as those of the fighters and bombers in the vast Pacific/CBI theatres. The C-47's wartime operations paved the way for post-war military and civil air transport, proving that aircraft could safely conduct routine flights from the USA, Australia and India throughout the Pacific and South-east Asia. The flights also demonstrated how the USAAF was able to invest in, and carry out, a mission that it had barely prepared for in terms of doctrine pre-war. In addition to linking theatres, the C-47 found itself in the vanguard of combat operations on virtually a daily basis in New Guinea, Burma, the Philippines, the SWPA and China. The importance of these missions, and the dangers faced by crews tasked with carrying them out, is chronicled in numerous first-hand accounts from the aircrew involved in this unique volume on the Allies' favourite transport aircraft of World War 2. Softcover, 98 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $22.95.

Volume 67 - 1st printing. "Israeli F-15 Eagle Units in Combat!" Written by Shlomo Aloni. Art by Chris Davey. Post-Yom Kippur War, Israel purchased the F-15 Eagle, the then world's best air-to-air fighter, in an effort to prevent another surprise attack from the air. For the first time in its history the IDF/AF operated a fighter that was a full generation ahead of opposing interceptors in the region. The first 'kill' F-15 Baz (Buzzard) arrived in Israel in 1976 and soon proved its worth in combat. Israeli Baz pilots were credited with 12.5 kills between 1979 and 1981, with 33 victories following during the June 1982 Lebanon War. Despite substantial combat, no Israeli F-15 has ever been lost to enemy action. In the 1990s the US government supplied the IDF/AF with the F-15I Ra'am (Thunder) to fulfill the long-range surface-to-surface missile mission post-Desert Storm. From A to I, the extremely capable, and combat-tested, Israeli F-15 force will continue to deter potential enemies well into the foreseeable future. This book examines the history and development of these units. Softcover, 98 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $22.95.

Volume 68 - 1st printing. "F-117 Stealth Fighter Units of Operation Desert Storm!" Written by Warren Thompson. Art by Mark Styling. During the final years of the 20th century, the most significant break-through in military weaponry was the concept of Stealth technology, and the first mass-produced weapon to utilize this to perfection was the F-117 Nighthawk. Originally delivered in 1982, its existence was officially denied until the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, when it entered the public spotlight over the skies of Baghdad. Illustrated with stunning color photographs of the F-117 above Iraq, and complemented by numerous personal accounts from the pilots themselves, this book explores the history and combat experience of one of the most secretive planes ever built. Softcover, 98 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $22.95.

Volume 70 - 1st printing. "F-14 Tomcat Units of Operation Enduring Freedom!" Written by Tony Holmes. Art by Jim Laurier. The legendary F-14 Tomcat was the weapon of choice to strike against the enemies of the United States in the wake of the September 11 attacks, with F-14s flying thousands of bombing missions on al-Qaeda and Taliban positions. Written by aviation expert Tony Holmes, this book explores the F-14 pilots and aircraft involved in Operation Enduring Freedom, with insights into the tactical approach and strategic aims provided by officers. Exclusive access to mission reports, combat diaries, fullcolour artwork and photographs from the author's collection reveal the battle experiences of the most famous modern fast jet. Softcover, 98 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $22.95.

Volume 71 - 1st printing. "Il-2 Shturmovik Guards Units of World War 2!" Written by Oleg Rastrenin. Art by Andrey Yurgenson. Over 43,000 Il-2/10s were built between 1941 and 1955, more than any other combat aircraft in history, making this one of the most important Soviet aircraft deployed in World War II. Built originally as a two-seater, the Il-2 had lost the rear gunner's position by the time it started to reach frontline units. Armed with ground-attack rockets, the aircraft proved deadly against Wehrmacht panzers as pairs of Il-2s roamed the frontline at low level. However, the Shturmoviks (armoured attackers) were vulnerable to attack from the rear by enemy fighters, so Ilyushin reverted to the two-seat layout in September 1942. Oleg Rastrenin provides a fascinating account of the complex development history of a plane that was crucial to Russia's defence. From Stalingrad to Kursk to Berlin, this book charts the aeroplane's vital contribution to the most famous battles of the Eastern front. Softcover, 98 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $22.95.

Volume 74 - 1st printing. "Junkers Ju 87 Stukageschwader of the Russian Front!" By John Weal. This first volume of the Osprey trilogy on the Luftwaffe dive-bomber charts its fortunes in the toughest theatre of all: the Eastern Front. Written by John Weal, a leading authority on the Luftwaffe, this book examines how, following its comprehensive defeat over the English Channel in the summer of 1940, the Stuka was able to restore its fearsome reputation over the Eastern Front. Softcover, 98 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $22.95.

Volume 1 - 1st printing. "P-51 Mustang vs Fw 190!" By Martin Bowman. Discover the history of a classic duel as the finest American and German pilots are pitted against each other in the war-torn skies over Europe, in two of the most advanced fighter planes of the age, the P-51 Mustang and the Fw 190. This first book in a new series describes the design and development of these rivals and analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of each fighter through an examination of the key elements of airframe, engine, armament and flying characteristics. Also explored is the training the combatants received, providing an insight into the lives of the pilots. Cockpit digital artwork allows the reader to relive the thrill and terror of a dogfight as these two evenly matched opponents battled for supremacy in the skies above Europe. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PBW. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 2 - 1st printing. "Sherman Firefly vs. Tiger!" By Stephen A Hart. The German Tiger heavy tank was a monster of a machine that dominated the battlefields of Europe. One of the most feared weapons of World War II, the Tiger gained an aura of invincibility that was only shattered by the introduction of the Sherman Firefly during the summer of 1944. Designed by the British to combat the Tiger, the Sherman Firefly was based on the American M4A4 Sherman, but was fitted with a powerful 17-pounder gun which made it a deadly opponent. This book describes the design and development of these two opponents, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses, assessing their tactics, weaponry and training. Gunsight artwork puts the reader 'inside' the tanks during famous battle scenarios, in a victory of superior Allied numbers, tactics and engineering. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PBW. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 3 - 1st printing. "U-boats vs. Destroyer Escorts!" By Gordon Williamson. Winston Churchill claimed the 'U-boat peril' was the only thing that frightened him during World War II. The U-boat was developed from a small coastal vessel into a state-of-the-art killer, stalking the high seas picking off merchant convoys, until the introduction of the destroyer escort, and the development of dedicated anti-submarine tactics provided a means of defence and attack against the U-boats. Gordon Williamson describes the design and development of these two deadly opponents, their tactics, strengths and weaknesses, weaponry and training. He provides an insight into the lives of the Royal Navy and Wolf Pack crews as they played their deadly games of cat and mouse on the high seas, gambling with their lives and the fate of the nations. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PBW. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 4 - 1st printing. "Panther vs T-34!" By Robert A Forczyk. Robert A Forczyk provides a riveting and intense description of the design and development of these two deadly opponents, the Panther and the T-34, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses and describing their tactics, weaponry and training. Moreover he gives an insight into the lives of the tank crews themselves, who were caught up in the largest land conflict of World War II, in some of the most important engagements in the history of warfare. Innovative digital artwork and first-person perspectives place the reader in the midst of a duel between the titans of the Soviet and German armed forced in a ruthless and relentless death match that would determine the war on the Eastern Front and, indeed, the fate of Nazi Germany. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PBW. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 5 - 1st printing. "Spitfire vs Bf 109!" By Tony Holmes. Churchill's words, 'never was so much owed by so many to so few', came to encapsulate how, in a few critical months, the entire fate of the British Empire, if not the war, hung in the balance, to be determined by a handful of pilots fighting tirelessly in the skies over Britain. Tony Holmes describes the Battle of Britain, the clash between the Spitfire I/II and the Bf 109E - detailing not only the key elements of both aircraft types - the airframe, engine, armament and flying characteristics, but also the pilots' training and tactics accompanied by diagrams of actual flight formations. The growing influence of radar and the efforts of British air defences are also examined, as are real-life engagements - from both German and British perspectives. With a wealth of first-hand accounts from the veterans who strapped themselves into these legendary machines as well as illustrations and cockpit-view artwork, this book puts the reader in the midst of a dogfight, providing a unique insight into one of the greatest duels of history in the world's first major aerial battle. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PBW. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 6 - 1st printing. "USN Carriers vs IJN Carriers!" Written by Mark Stille. Art by Howard Gerrard and Ian Palmer. The IJN was a pioneer in naval aviation, having commissioned the world's first carrier, which was used against the US fleet at Pearl Harbor. The Americans followed suit, initiating a huge aircraft carrier development program. As the War in the Pacific escalated into the largest naval conflict in history, the role of the carrier became the linchpin of American and Japanese naval strategy as these rival vessels found themselves locked in a struggle for dominance of this critical theater. This book provides an analysis of the variety of weaponry available to the rival carriers, in particular the embarked aircraft as well as the powerful ship-borne guns. Study the design and development of these revolutionary ships and 'live' the experiences of the rival airmen and gun crews as they battled for victory in a duel of skill, tenacity and guts. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PBW. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 7 - 1st printing. "Sopwith Camel vs Fokker Dr I!" Written by Jon Guttman. Art by Jim Laurier and Harry Dempsey. Amid the continuous struggle for aerial superiority during World War I, two aircraft types were at the forefront. Both rotary engined fighters, the Sopwith Camel and the Fokker Dr I triplane were relatively slow for their time, but were regarded as the most manoeuvrable machines produced during the conflict, and the classic pair for a tight, evenly matched dogfight at close quarters. In this book Jon Guttman examines the fascinating story of the design and development of these deadly foes. First-hand accounts and innovative cockpit-view artwork give a thrilling insight into the pilots' experiences during the world's first aerial duels and helps explain their successes and failures. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PBW. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 8 - 1st printing. "P-40 Warhawk vs Ki-43 Oscar!" Written by Carl Molesworth. Art by Jim Laurier. Known for the distinctive 'sharkmouth' decoration on their noses, P-40 fighters first saw combat in China during World War II. Their most common adversary was the Japanese Nakajima Ki-43, nicknamed 'Oscar.' Carl Molesworth describes and explains the design and development of these two foes, the products of two vastly different philosophies of fighter design. The P-40 was heavily armed and sturdy with armour protection and self-sealing fuel tanks, but paid for this with the loss of speed and a sluggish performance at altitude. The Ki-43 was a rapier to the battleaxe P-40 and the Ki-43 was immensely nimble, though with less firepower and durability. This book examines these two different fighters, and the pilots who flew them over China, with an action-packed text, rare photographs and digital artwork. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PBW. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 9 - 1st printing. "Victory vs Redoutable!" Written by Gregory Fremont-Barnes. Art by Ian Palmer, and Giuseppe Rava. Late in the morning on 21 October 1805, warships from the British and combined French and Spanish fleets clashed off Cape Trafalgar on the Spanish coast. After a six month game of cat and mouse across the Atlantic, 27 British ships of the line engaged the Allied force of 33 ships of the line. This was a duel of skill, tenacity and bravery as captains and crews battled for mastery of the seas. This book is an opportunity to relive the action at Trafalgar - read the accounts of sailors who were there, and who experienced the sound of scraping cutlasses and bombarding cannons at one of the most important naval engagements of history. Understand how the guns were operated, learn about the training of crews and study the design and development of the incredible ships which dominated naval warfare of the period, as Gregory Fremont-Barnes reveals the revolutionary tactics used by Nelson to secure a victory that saved Britain from the threat of invasion and ensured British naval dominance for over a century. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PBW. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 10 - 1st printing. "M3 Medium Tank vs Panzer III!" Written by Gregory Fremont-Barnes. Art by Ian Palmer, and Giuseppe Rava. This was a duel between the stalwart of the Wehrmacht armored divisions - the Panzerkampfwagen III - and the American's as yet untested M3 Grant. In reality both would prove unequal to the task as they floundered amidst the rugged hills and ravines of the Tunisian landscape. This book charts the design and development of these two disparate rivals - their vastly different armament and armor as well as their tactical concepts. Analysing the strengths and weaknesses of these two opponents, this book explores the successes and failures of the Grant and Panzer III as they clashed at the critical battles of North Africa. Moreover it is an insight into the lives of the tank crews themselves as they struggled with the twin horrors of tank warfare and the fight for survival amidst some of the most inhospitable terrain on earth. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PBW. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 11 - 1st printing. "P-47 Thunderbolt vs Bf 109G/K!" By Martin Bowman. The largest single engined fighter when the USA entered the war, the P-47 was a monster of a machine. In contrast the Bf 109G was a much smaller aircraft. With all-round better performance than the P-47 at low altitudes the Bf 109G was the staple Defence of the Reich fighter. This book examines the mighty clash between these two legends of the sky. It examines the numerous aspects of the pilots' training, the tactics they used once in combat and the leading edge technology employed by these second generation World War 2 aircraft as well as the continual development of both fighter types. Finally, the key elements of both fighters - the airframe, engine, armament and flying characteristics - are also explored through first hand accounts from the aces that went head-to-head in the war-torn skies of Europe. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 12 - 1st printing. "F-4 Phantom II vs MiG-21!" Written by Peter Davies. Art by Jim Laurier, Tom Tullis, and Gareth Hector. The largest single engined fighter when the USA entered the war, the P-47 was a monster of a machine. In contrast the Bf 109G was a much smaller aircraft. With all-round better performance than the P-47 at low altitudes the Bf 109G was the staple Defence of the Reich fighter. This book examines the mighty clash between these two legends of the sky. It examines the numerous aspects of the pilots' training, the tactics they used once in combat and the leading edge technology employed by these second generation World War 2 aircraft as well as the continual development of both fighter types. Finally, the key elements of both fighters - the airframe, engine, armament and flying characteristics - are also explored through first hand accounts from the aces that went head-to-head in the war-torn skies of Europe. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 13 - 1st printing. "Panther vs Sherman!" Written by Steven J Zaloga. Art by Howard Gerrard, and Jim Laurier. In this book Steven J Zaloga offers a fascinating comparison between the two most important tanks involved in the crucial fighting of 1944, the American Sherman and the German Panther. Placing the reader in the heart of this battle between quality and quantity Zaloga uses a compelling account of the ferocious fighting during the Battle of the Bulge to explain the successes and failures of each tank, highlighting the fact that a tank can only be as good as its crew, weighing up the impact of low morale, high cost and mediocre crew training on the Panther's superiority. With full-colour battlescenes, technical drawings, photographs, digital gunsight views, extracts from crew training manuals and real combat reports, this book brings the titanic battles between the Panther and Sherman to life. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 14 - 1st printing. "Confederate Ironclad vs. Union Ironclad!" Written by Steven J Zaloga. Art by Howard Gerrard, and Peter Bull. The Ironclad was a revolutionary weapon of war, the first modern, armoured, self-propelled warships. During the American Civil War the South used ironclads to protect their ports from the Northern blockade. Impressed with their superior resistance to fire and, the North developed its own rival fleet of ironclads. Eventually the two products of this modern arms race duelled at the battle of Hampton Roads in a clash that would change the face of naval warfare. Fully illustrated with cutting-edge digital artwork, rare photographs and first-person perspective gunsight views, this book allows the reader to discover the revolutionary and radically different designs of the two rival Ironclads – the Merrimac and USS Monitor – through an analysis of each ship's weaponry, ammunition and steerage. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 15 - 1st printing. "Russian Battleship vs Japanese Battleship!" Written by Robert Forczyk. Art by Tony Bryan, Howard Gerrard, and Ian Palmer. The first major clash between a European and Asian state in the modern era signalled the beginning of Japan's rise as a major power on the world stage. Watched by the rest of the world's superpowers, this incredibly violent war was disastrous for the Russians who, despite their superior numbers, were defeated by the Japanese underdogs in a spectacular fashion.The key technical elements of firepower, protection, maneuverability and communications for each side are covered in detail and accompanied by first-hand accounts and specially commissioned artwork to explain and illustrate this historically significant duel. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 16 - 1st printing. "Seafire vs A6M Zero!" Written by Donald Nijboer. Art by Jim Laurier. Products of vastly different design philosophies, the Seafire F III and the A6M Zero were never intended to meet in combat, and never should have. The Zero, extremely nimble at low speeds was purpose-built as a shipboard fighter. In contrast, the Spitfire was intended to operate from established airfields, and needed to be adapted as a carrier fighter. The book examines these two iconic fighters and their two very different histories, using fantastic artwork and first hand accounts to illustrate the last aerial duel of World War II, as the British Seafire overcame its critics to emerge victorious over the Japanese Zero. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 17 - 1st printing. "SPAD XIII vs Fokker D VII!" Written by Jon Guttman. Art by Jim Laurier, Harry Dempsey, and Mark Postlethwaite. This is the gripping story of two of the best fighters produced in World War I as they duelled in the skies above the trenches in the closing months of the war. The Fokker D VII earned a reputation as the most formidable fighter of the war, yet the SPAD XIII's greater speed, especially in a dive, and its outstanding durability proved a fearsome rival. Never before published artwork, including fascinating cockpit illustrations, reveal several dramatic clashes from the two foes, whilst diary entries and first hand accounts from the pilots bring this classic World War I duel to life with intimate detail. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 18 - 1st printing. "SM1 Abrams vs T-72 Ural!" Written by Steven J Zaloga. Art by Jim Laurier. The Gulf War bore witness to a number of deadly encounters between these two great adversaries. Heavily armoured, highly mobile and capable of killing at over 2500m the M1 Abrams is, to this day, a veritable fighting machine. Superior to both Iraq's Soviet era T-55 and T-62 tanks, nearly all sources claim that no Abrams tank has ever been destroyed by enemy fire. Despite entering service in 1980, the M1 Abrams remained untested in combat until the Gulf War in 1991, where it was to be confronted by its archenemy the Iraqi-assembled Soviet-designed T-72. Entering production in 1971, the T-72 arguably outstripped its contemporaries in a balance of mobility, protection and firepower. By the time of Operation Desert Storm, however, the tables had turned and the tank suffered due to low quality ammunition and poorly trained crews. In this fascinating study, Steven Zaloga pits these two great fighting machines against one another, plotting the development of the Cold War until both tanks met in combat in the deserts of Iraq and Kuwait. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 19 - 1st printing. "Constitution vs Guerriere!" Written by Mark Lardas. Art by Peter Bull, and Giuseppe Rava. Famed as a classic naval duel, a one-on-one clash between two sailing frigates offered the victor immeasurable fame and glory. During the War of 1812, the Royal Navy and United States Navy squared off in four such duels, the most famous that between the USS Constitution and HMS Guerrière. Ships and tactics between the two nations varied enormously, with the American navy favouring a revolutionary design of frigate, with twenty-four pounder guns and heavy structural timbers, while the British, used to fighting the French and Spanish navies, relied on smaller, eighteen-pounder frigates. Through first-hand accounts of these four single-ship actions and fascinating comparisons of artillery, crew ability and tactical achievements, this book offers an unparalleled insight into the ruthless reality of frigate battles in the War of 1812. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 20 - 1st printing. "SE 5a vs Albatros D V!" Written by Jon Guttman. Art by Jim Laurier, and Harry Dempsey. Amid the ongoing quest for aerial superiority during World War I, the late spring of 1917 saw two competing attempts to refine proven designs. The Royal Aircraft Factory SE 5a incorporated improvements to the original SE 5 airframe along with 50 more horsepower to produce a fast, reliable ace-maker. The Albatros D V, a development of the deadly D III of 'Bloody April', proved to be more disappointing. Nevertheless, Albatrosen remained the Germans' most common fighters available when the Germans launched their final offensive on 21 March 1918. Despite its shortcomings, German tactics and skill made the Albatros D V a dangerous foe that SE 5a pilots dismissed at their peril. This title tells the story of the design and development of these two fighters and concludes with their dramatic fights in the last year of World War I. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 21 - 1st printing. "Centurion vs T-55!" Written by Simon Dunstan. Art by Howard Gerrard, Ian Palmer, and Griff Wason. Conceived at the height of World War II, the British Centurion and the Soviet T-55 were initially expected to counter the formidable Panther and Tiger tanks of Germany. But as the Cold War unfolded, these machines prepared instead for the coming struggle between NATO and the Warsaw Pact. Though they never fought in Europe, these two tanks became the mainstay of the Cold War's proxy forces around the world. From Korea to the Middle East and on to Angola, these two armored combatants clashed repeatedly, reaching their crescendo on the Golan Heights during the Yom Kippur War where 177 Centurions of the IDF took on a vastly superior Arab force. This book compares the design, development and deployment of these classic tanks, and analyses their battlefield performance. Presented with highly detailed digital artwork, this is a tightly focused study of two of the Cold War's first main battle tanks. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 22 - 1st printing. "USN Cruiser vs IJN Cruiser!" Written by Mark Stille. Art by Howard Gerrard, and Paul Wright. Although the war in the Pacific is usually considered a carrier war, it was the cruisers that dominated the early fighting. This thrilling duel presents the cruiser clashes during the battles for Guadacanal , highlighting the Battle of Savo Island and the Battle of Cape Esperance. The first was a Japanese victory that resulted in the loss of four Allied cruisers. However, in the latter, the Americans managed to turn the tables despite the battle being fought throughout the night. This book presents a view of the design and development of the opposing weapons systems, illustrated with newly commissioned digital artwork. It uses firsthand accounts to bring the battles to life and explain why the Americans suffered early on, but eventually had their revenge. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 23 - 1st printing. "USN F-4 Phantom II vs VPAF MiG-17/19!" Written by Peter Davies. Art by Jim Laurier, and Gareth Hector. The Vietnam War placed unexpected demands upon American military forces and equipment.The principal US naval fighter, the McDonnell F-4 Phantom, had originally been designed to defend the Fleet from air attack at long range. However, its tremendous power and bomb-carrying capacity made it an obvious candidate for the attack mission in Vietnam from 1965 onwards. Its opponent was the MiG-17, a direct descendant of the MiG-15, which had given USAF Sabre jets a hard fight in the Korean War. This book brings to life their dangerous duels and includes detailed cockpit views and other specially commissioned artwork to highlight the benefits and shortcomings of each plane type. It was in the skies over Vietnam that many of the techniques of air combat evolved as pilots learned how to use and to defeat supersonic fighters for the first time. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 24 - 1st printing. "Fw 190 Sturmböcke vs B-17 Flying Fortress!" Written by Robert Forsyth. Art by Jim Laurier, and Gareth Hector. The Fw 190 was one of the best air superiority aircraft of World War II, and when it first appeared over the Channel in 1941 it sent shockwaves through the Allied air commands. By 1944, these fighters had been up-gunned to serve as the front line of defence against the Allied bombing campaign. Although the Fw 190s were responsible for shooting down hundreds of Allied bombers, they met their match against the USAAF B-17 'Flying Fortress'. Capable of carrying 4,000 lbs of bombs and bristling with .50cal machine guns, the B-17 could sow death in every direction. Using brand-new artwork and first-hand accounts, this book recreates the deadly drama in the skies above Germany in the closing stages of the war. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 25 - 1st printing. "Fw 200 Condor vs Atlantic Convoy!" Written by Robert Forczyk, and Tim Brown. Art by Tony Bryan, Howard Gerrard, and Ian Palmer. After the fall of France in 1940, Germany attempted to strangle Britain into submission by attacking the Atlantic Convoys, which brought much need supplies and war materiel from the USA and Canada. While the U-boats attacked from beneath the seas, the Germans modified a civilian airliner to create the Fw-200 Condor to attack from the skies. By the summer of 1941, the Condor attacks had succeeded to the extent that Winston Churchill called them 'the scourge of the Atlantic'. This book discusses the development of the Condor, and analyzes the various Allied responses, including the development of the Hurricat, a modified hurricane that could be launched via catapult from modified merchant ships. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 26 - 1st printing. "P-38 Lightning vs Ki-61 Tony!" Written by Donald Nijboer. Art by Jim Laurier, and Gareth Hector. With its distinctive, twin-tailed design, the P-38 was one of the most recognizable fighter aircraft of World War II. It was also one of the best. The perfect balance of speed, firepower and range, it made a formable opponent during the crucial battles for the Solomon Islands and New Guinea. In response, the Japanese worked with the Germans to develop the Ki-61, a heavy air superiority fighter with an impressive array of firepower. In head-to-head match-ups, the P-38 proved the superior fighter, but individual duels often came down to the ability and experience of the individual pilots. This book recreates these fast, deadly duels in the skies of the Pacific using dramatic artwork and first-hand accounts. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 27 - 1st printing. "German Commerce Raider vs British Cruiser!" Written by Robert Forczyk. Art by Ian Palmer. During World War II, the Kriegsmarine armed a number of merchant vessels with concealed guns and torpedo tubes for surprise attacks against Allied shipping. To counter this deadly threat, the Royal Navy employed cruisers and their intelligence-gathering apparatus to find and destroy the disguised German commerce raiders. This Duel title covers the deadly game of cat and mouse, fought by these surface vessels during World War II. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 28 - 1st printing. "Mirage III vs MiG-21!" Written by Shlomo Aloni. Art by Jim Laurier. Although the opposing forces of the Six Day War were both flying comparable third-generation Mach 2 jet fighters, the pilots were trained to different standards, and were expected to utilize different tactics. Using the latest research, first-hand accounts, and specially commissioned artwork, Shlomo Aloni tells the dramatic story of the dogfights in the skies over the Middle East. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 29 - 1st printing. "Hurricane I vs Bf 110!" Written by Tony Holmes. Art by Jim Laurier, and Gareth Hector. The Hurricane was the RAF's first monoplane fighter and saw significant combat during the fight over France and the Battle of Britain. One of its principal opponents in 1940 was the Bf 110 twin-engined, two-seat heavy fighter. Following the invasion of France, these fighters clashed regularly as the RAF's Hurricanes attacked German bomber formations defended by Bf 110. Although the Hurricane had the upper hand when it came to manoeuverability, the Bf 110 outclassed it in terms of fire power, with its mix of machine guns and cannon. This is the story of the dramatic battles in the skies over France and the Channel as Britain desperately tried to hold back the German onslaught from her shores. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 30 - 1st printing. "M60 vs T-62!" Written by David Isby and Lon Nordeen. Art by Richard Chasemore. The Hurricane was the RAF's first monoplane fighter and saw significant combat during the fight over France and the Battle of Britain. One of its principal opponents in 1940 was the Bf 110 twin-engined, two-seat heavy fighter. Following the invasion of France, these fighters clashed regularly as the RAF's Hurricanes attacked German bomber formations defended by Bf 110. Although the Hurricane had the upper hand when it came to manoeuverability, the Bf 110 outclassed it in terms of fire power, with its mix of machine guns and cannon. This is the story of the dramatic battles in the skies over France and the Channel as Britain desperately tried to hold back the German onslaught from her shores. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 31 - 1st printing. "British Dreadnought vs German Dreadnought!" Written by Mark Stille. Art by Howard Gerrard and Ian Palmer. In 1916, in the seas near Jutland, two fleets of armoured dreadnoughts met in open battle. This book tells the story of the British and German battleships of these two great fleets – from their development as the first generation of fully- armoured warships – to their combat experiences. The differing weapon systems and crew training of the British and German fleets are examined in detail, as is the titanic struggle of Jutland, through an hour-by-hour, shot-by-shot, reconstruction. Finally, it analyzes the outcome of the struggle, explaining the successes and failures of these great battleships. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 32 - 1st printing. "T-34-85 vs M26 Pershing!" Written by Steven J Zaloga. Art by Richard Chasemore. A hotly-debated topic amongst tank buffs is of the relative merits of the Soviet and American tanks of World War II. Using recently revealed documents, Steven Zaloga sheds light on the crucial tank battles of the Korean War as the rival superpowers' finest tanks battled for supremacy. The Soviet-equipped North Korean Peoples Army initially dominated the battlefield with the seemingly unstoppable T34-85. As US tank battalions hastily arrived throughout the late summer and early autumn of 1950, the M26 Pershing took the fight to North Korea with increasing success. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 33 - 1st printing. "Panzer IV vs Char B1 bis!" Written by Steven J Zaloga. Art by Richard Chasemore. The Battle of France in 1940 involved the first large-scale tank-against-tank battles in history. The massive clashes at Stonne, Hannant, and Gembloux involved hundreds of tanks on both sides, yet have faded from memory due to the enourmity of the French defeat. This book examines two of the premier opposing tanks of the Wehrmacht and the French Army, the German PzKpfw IV and the French Char B1 bis. With a complete history of the design, development, and deployment of these armoured fighting vehicles, the story of these great battles is once again brought to life. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.

Volume 34 - 1st printing. "E-Boat vs MTB!" Written by Gordon Williamson. Art by Howard Gerrard, and Ian Palmer. During WWII, German E-Boats were so active in the English Channel that the narrow stretch of water became known as 'E-Boat Alley'. To counter the threat of these E-Boats, Britain brought its coastal forces to bear – flotillas of small Motor Torpedo and Gun Boats (MTBs and MGBs) and Motor Launches (MLs). As the Germans sought to maintain their supremacy in Channel waters, they continued to develop their E-Boat designs to accommodate more armor and more firepower. Rather than matching the newer E-Boats for armament, the British developed several types to fulfill the varied roles for which the Kriegsmarine were attempting to use the E-Boat. This book details this developing conflict, examining the evolution of the boats involved, and covering the their battles from fights in the Thames Estuary to the build-up for D-Day. Softcover, 80 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $17.95.