Book Description
In 2003, the world will mark the hundredth anniversary of the Wright brothers' historic first flight over Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. This handsome volume celebrates humanity's first century of aviation with lavish illustrations and an exciting chronological account of aeronautical development. Following the Wright brothers came a number of pioneer designers and flyers from several European countries, including Voisin and Bleriot in France and Zeppelin in Germany. World War I saw the birth of fighter and bomber planes, while the decades between the wars witnessed the glamour of competition flying, including Lindbergh's first flight across the Atlantic and Wiley Post's seven-day flight around the world. This era also saw the dawn of commercial flight, which started as airmail service and slowly developed to include passenger service. It was the era of pioneering passenger-carrying aircraft such as the Ford Trimotor and the revolutionary Douglas DC-3. Also covered in detail are the fighters and bombers of World War II, the dawn of the jet age, the evolution of helicopters, and the birth of supersonic flight. An account of the burgeoning of the intercontinental commercial airline industry brings readers to the present, which is marked by intense competition between Boeing of the United States and Airbus of Europe, both vying for the lion's share of the market. Other topics covered in this superlative history include development of general (private) aviation, and a look at radically innovative planes, such as the Concorde SST and the Stealth military aircraft. Hundreds of photos and drawings, most of them in color, enhance an intensely readable text.

About the Author
Bill Gunston, a veteran of the famed Royal Air Force, piloted 93 different types of aircraft during his military service. Between 1951 and 1970 he was on the staff of Flight International magazine, serving as technical editor during most of that period. Among his current positions is as editor of Jane's Aero-Engines, recognized throughout the industry as the definitive guide in its field. In 1995 he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to aviation writing.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Just a handful of people are still among us who were alive before the first powered airplane flight. Yet the fact that aviation -- from its birth with the Wright Brothers' Flyer to the era of manned space flight -- developed within the span of a lifetime is perhaps the most impressive achievement of humankind. Today, it is difficult for us to imagine ourselves living in a time when hundreds of would-be aviators toiled for years to create flying machines that then failed to fly, or who bravely leaped from tall buildings while flapping homemade wings. Airplanes have filled many roles, including agricultural workhorse, thoroughbred racer, war machine, fire fighter, entertainer, and people carrier. Over the years, they have become a part of our daily lives. Aviation: the first 100 Years takes a broad and entertaining look at the development of the airplane, presenting themed chapters that cover the personal and technical endeavors of those who created and manned each era's aeronautical wonders. The lively text, written by one of the world's foremost authorities on aviation, is lavishly complemented by over 650 photographs.