Sources
Sources discussing aircraft armament are relatively rare. Books about
aircraft tend to have little attention for guns, and books about guns
say little about the aircraft that used them. Quite often, information
is contradictory.
These are the sources used in compiling this page:
Books
- 1.
The Complete Book of Fighters

- by William Green and Gordon Swanborough
(Salamander Books, 1994, ISBN 0 86101 643 2).
An encyclopedia of "every fighter ever flown". That claim,
if not completely true, is certainly very close to the truth.
- 2.
The illustrated encyclopedia of Aircraft Armament

- by Bill Gunston
(Salamander Books, 1987, ISBN 0 86101 314 X).
This book opens with a 55 page chapter on the history of aircraft
armament. The rest of the book is devoted to an encyclopedia of
modern aircraft-carried weaponry, including guns, bombs, rockets,
missiles, dispensers, and torpedoes.
- 3.
The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875-1995

- by Bill Gunston
(Osprey Aerospace, 1995, ISBN 1 85532 405 9).
This book, an essential reference for anyone interested in
Russian and Soviet aircraft, also includes four pages on the
subject of aircraft armament.
- 4.
Interceptor

- by James Goulding
(Ian Allan Ltd, 1986, ISBN 0 71101 583 X).
This is a history of the design of British fighter aircraft, from
WWI fighters to the English Electric Lightning. It is unusual
in that it gives attention to gun installations, as a critical
factor in fighter development.
- 5.
Interceptor Fighters for the Royal Air Force 1935-45

- by Michael J.F. Bowyer
(Patrick Stephens Limited, 1984, ISBN 0 85059 726 9)
This work discusses the same subject as the previous book, but in
a very different format. Part two, wich is the final quarter of
the book, is titled "The cannon Fighter".
- 6.
Japanese Army Fighters (part 1 & 2)

- by William Green and Gordon Swanborough
(Pilot Press).
- 7.
US Army Air Force Fighters (part 1 & 2)

- by William Green and Gordon Swanborough
(Pilot Press).
- 8.
Soviet Air Force Fighters (part 1 & 2)

- by William Green and Gordon Swanborough
(Pilot Press).
- 9.
US Navy Fighters

- by William Green and Gordon Swanborough
(Pilot Press).
These nine books belong to a series of "WW2 Aircraft Fact Files"
in which every fighter is discussed in a separate chapter. The
books on Japanese fighters do detail their armament, but repeat
some old and unreliable information.
- 10.
The Machine Gun
- by G.M. Chinn
Apparently the five volumes published by Chinn are the best source
for data on fully automatic US guns.
- 11.
Focke-Wulf Fw 190 In Combat

- by Alfred Price
(Sutton Publishing, 1998, ISBN 0 75091 634 6)
A combat history of the Fw 190, mostly devoted to the
radial-engined models. The book contains a number of
personal accounts by former Fw 190 pilots.
- 12.
McDonnell F-101 Voodoo

- by Robert F. Dorr
(Osprey, 1987, ISBN 0 85045 752 1)
A history of the F-101 Voodoo and its precursor, the F-88.
- 13.
OKB MiG

- by Piotr Butowski and Jay Miller
(Aerofax, 1991, ISBN 0 90459 780 6)
There are several books about the MiG bureau, and it
is said that this is not the best one. But it also contains
a lot of useful background information on the Soviet military
and aviation industry.
- 14.
Messerschmitt "O-Nine" Gallery

- by Thomas H. Hitchcock
(Monogram, 1973, ISBN 0 91414 400 6)
Pictorial history of the Bf 109, with pictures of almost
all prototypes and production models. Also includes the Me 209,
Me 309, and related designs.
- 15.
Nightfighter --- A Concise History of
Nightfighting Since 1914

- by Anthony Robinson
(Ian Allan Ltd., 1988, ISBN 0 71101 757 3)
The name pretty much summarizes it: This is a history of
nightfighter aircraft starting from WWI, mainly from a
British perspective.
- 16.
Stuka!

- by Joachim Dressel
(Arms and Armour, 1989, ISBN 0 85368 907 5)
A small photobook that illustrates the history of the Ju 87.
- 17.
Japanese Aircraft of World War II

- by Basil Collier
(Mayflower Books, 1979, ISBN 0 83175 137 1)
A small encyclopedia of Japanese WWII aircraft, with an
introduction about the history of the Japanese air forces.
Condensed, but useful.
- 18.
The Spitfire Story(Revised Second Edition)

- by Alfred Price
(Arms and Armour, 1995, ISBN 1 85409 305 3)
A very useful account of the development history of the Spitfire,
including the text of some test and evaluation reports.
- 19.
Supermarine Spitfire I & II

- by Philip J.R. Moyes
(Aerodata International, 1977, ISBN 0 90546 925 9)
Thin booklet with a brief history of these marks of the Spitfire,
with a set of drawings to 1/72 scale. Published by Aerodata.
- 20.
North American P-51D Mustang

- by Harry Holmes
(Aerodata International, 1978, ISBN 0 90546 930 5)
Similar to the preceding book.
- 21.
The international encyclopedia of aircraft

- (Aerospace Publishing, 1991, ISBN 1 87031 845 5).
Despite the odd format and the sometimes amazing omissions,
this is an useful reference.
- 22.
The Aerospace Chronology

- by Michael J.H. Taylor
(Tri-Service Press, 1989, ISBN 1 85488 003 9)
A day-by-day chronology of aviation.
- 23.
Sopwitch Camel

- by J.M. Bruce
(Arms and Armour, 1989, ISBN 1 85409 030 5)
Small photobook.
- 24.
Aerodata International: Messerschmitt 109E

- by Peter G. Cooksley
(Aerodata International, 1978, ISBN 0 90546 935 6)
Similar to refs. 19 and 20.
- 25.
F4F Wildcat -- in detail & scale

- by Bert Kinzey
(Airlife, 1988, ISBN 1 85310 607 0)
Perhaps mainly intended for modellers interested in detail of
the F4F, but a very interesting little book.
- 26.
Cobra! -- Bell Aircraft Corporation 1934-1946

- by Birch Matthews
(Schiffer, 1996, ISBN 0 88740 911 3).
This big volume gives a detailed and fascinating account of
the piston-engined aircraft built by Bell. Highly recommended.
- 27.
Operation Pinball

- by Ivan Hickman
(Motorbooks International, 1990, ISBN 0 87938 472 7)
An account of USAF aerial gunnery training, and of the
development of frangible bullets for realistic training.
- 28.
Junkers Ju 88 in action Part 2

- by Brian Filley
(Squadron/Signal, 1991, ISBN 0 89747 258 6)
This is the Squadron-Signal publication on the fighter-bomber
and nightfighter versions of the Ju 88.
- 29.
Stukas!

- by Herbert Léonard
(Heimdal, 1997, ISBN 2 84048 100 6)
This very informative history of German dive bombers,
written in French, discusses not only the Ju 87, but
also the K.47, He 50, Hs 123, Hs 132, Ju 88, Do 217,
He 210, some others, and a number of unbuilt projects.
- 30.
Focke-Wulf Fw 190/Ta 152

- by Manfred Griehl and Joachim Dressel
(Motorbuch Verlag, 1997, ISBN 3 61301 681 8)
German history of the Fw 190. It includes a lot of
reference tables, and lengthy quotes from wartime
reports --- including some reports about armament
development.
- 31.
Republic's P-47 Thunderbolt --- From Seversky to Victory

- by Warren M. Bodie
(Widewing Publications, 1994, ISBN 0 96293 591 3)
Well-researched book on the P-47 and earlier Republic aircraft.
Bodie perhaps repeats himself too often and makes errors when
stepping outside this fields of research, but he does correct
a lot of errors in the P-47 story.
- 32.
Icarus in oorlog en vrede --- 1941-1953

- by Andre ver Elst
(De Goudvink, 1972)
Part 2 in a series of photobooks.
- 33.
Het Aanzien van Lucht- en Ruimtevaart

- by Steven Bolt and Thijs Postma
(Het Spectrum, 1978, ISBN 9 02749 302 2) .
Photobook about aviation history.
- 34.
Boscombe Down 1939-45 -- A Most Secret Place
- by Brian Johnson and Terry Hefferman
(Jane's, 1984, ISBN 0 71060 203 0).
- 35.
Courage and Air Warfare -- The Allied Aircrew
Experience in the Second World War
- by Mark K. Wells
(Frank Cross, London, 1995).
- 36.
L` Aviation Militaire Francaise
- by Pierre Barjot
(J. de Gigord) .
A book describing the French air force, written shortly before WWII.
- 37.
Zero

- by Robert C. Mikesh
(Motorbooks Publishing, 1994, ISBN 0 87938 915 X).
An account of the development of the Mitsubishi A6M fighter.
This includes a discussion of its armament, which is rare.
Alas it forgets to look at the alternatives outside the IJN
and USN.
- 38.
Evolution of American Fighter Aircraft
Armament 1910-1964.

- Master of Arts thesis by William H.A. Newport
(Southern Connecticut State University (1998). UMI number 1391136.)
A look at US development of fighter armament, including information
about ammunition development and a lot of experimental guns.
- 39.
Chronicle of Aviation

- Edited by Mark S. Pyle, Bill Gunston and Edouard Chemel
(Chronicle Publications, 1992, ISBN 1 87203 130 7).
A work the size of a telephone guide that gives a newspaper-style
overview of aviation history.
- 40.
Testing for Combat

- by Capt. Eric M. Brown
(Airlife, 1994, ISBN 1 85310 319 5).
In this book Capt. Brown gives his evaluation of 43 aircraft
types with which he had short flying experiences during his
career.
- 41.
Wings of the Luftwaffe

- by Capt. Eric M. Brown
(Pilot Press, 1977, ISBN 1 85310 413 2) .
An evaluation by Capt. Brown of the captured German aircraft he
flew.
- 42.
Halifax Special

- by Capt. Bruce Robertson
(Ian Allan Ltd., 1990, ISBN 0 71101 920 7).
Short pictorial history of the Halifax.
- 43.
B-36 Peacemaker

- by Wayne Waachsmuth
(Detail & Scale, 1997, ISBN 1 88897 405 2)
A short history of the B-36, richly illustrated and with
advice for modellers.
- 44.
Luftwaffe propaganda postcards

- by James Wilson
(Airlife, 1996, ISBN 1 85310 727 1)
A collection of pictures from Luftwaffe postcards.
- 45.
Fighter Combat in the Jet Age

- by David C. Isby
(HarperCollins, 1997, ISBN 0 00470 822 9)
A compact history of jet fighter combat.
- 46.
The Ironworks -- Grumman's Fighting Aeroplanes

- by Terry C. Treadwell
(Airlife, 1990, ISBN 2 85310 070 6)
A short history of Grumman is followed by descriptions of every
Grumman aircraft.
Magazine articles
- 50.
RAF fighter guns
- by A.G. Williams
in Aeroplane Monthly of September and October 1992.
- 51.
RAF Heavy guns
- by A.G. Williams
in Aeroplane Monthly of August and September 1993.
- 52.
Go for your gun!
- by Roy Braybook
in Air International of April 1994.
- 53.
Comment L'Helicoptere de combat
naquit en France
- by Philippe Boulay
in Le Fana de l'Aviation, Fevrier 1996.
- 54.
Alphonse Tellier, constructeur
d'hydro-aeroplanes
- by Michel Borget
in Le Fana de l'Aviation, Juin 1996.
- 55.
Messerschmitt 262: Derrière le mythe,
le calvaire de la realité
- by Alfred Price and Jeff Ethell
in Le Fana de l'Aviation, Octobre -- Decembre 1996.
- 56.
Yak-9, l'ogre chasseur
- by Konstantin You. Kosminkov
in Le Fana de l'Aviation, Decembre 1994 -- Janvier 1995.
- 57.
Yak-3, un rêve de pilote
- by Konstantin You. Kosminkov
in Le Fana de l'Aviation, Juin 1995.
- 58.
Les avions de combat Japonais ---
La logique d'un effondrement
- Le Fana de l'Aviation, Hors Series No.3, Decembre 1995.
- 59.
Zero - Japan's greatest fighter
- by Rene Francillon
in Air International of December 1991 -- January 1992.
- 60.
Nakajima Ki.43
- in Airplane Nr.51.
- 61.
The Vickers Fighting Biplanes
- by J.M. Bruce
in Air International of September 1994.
- 62.
Vickers COW Gun Fighter
- by Philip Jarrett
in Aeroplane Monthly of July and August 1997.
- 63.
Tempest Summer
- by Roland Beamont
in Aeroplane Monthly of June, July, August, September, October,
November, December 1992, and January 1993.
- 64.
Combat Speeds
in US Naval Institute Proceedings, December 1944.
Page 1545.
- 65.
Transparent Armor
in US Naval Institute Proceedings, December 1943.
Page 1645.
- 66.
Defensive Power of the Flying Fortress
in US Naval Institute Proceedings, October 1943.
Page 1392.
- 67.
50-caliber Machine Gun
in US Naval Institute Proceedings, March 1944.
Page 364.
- 68.
The Story of the Self-Sealing Tank
in US Naval Institute Proceedings, February 1946.
Page 205.
- 69.
Handley Page O/100 and O/400
in Airplane Nr.134, published by DeAgostini (Netherlands) BV.
- 70.
On Silver Wings: Part 13
- by Alec Lumsden
- in Aeroplane Monthly, October 1991.
- 71.
Sidestrand and Overstrand
- by Philip Jarrett
- in Aeroplane Monthly, November 1994 to January 1995.
- 72.
Les Amiot 140 --- Le progres etait plus
rapide
- by Michel Benichou
- in Le Fana de l'Aviation, Mai 1997.
- 73.
Les Avions de Combat Américains
Le Fana de l'Aviation Hors Serie No.2
- 74.
Triple-One Lineage
- by Ken Wixey
in Air Enthusiast, July-August 1998.
- 75.
L'Extra-Ordinaire Tupolev 95
- by K.Yu. Kosminkov and M.B. Saukké
Fourth and final part of the series, in Le Fana de l'Aviation,
Novembre 1997.
- 76.
Farewell to Lims
- by Gregorz L. Holdanowicz and Wojtek Matusiak
Air International, November 1993.
Unpublished (?) documents
- 100.
Ted Bradstreet
- has sent me articles he has written about the
Oerlikon FF
and MG-FF cannon,
WWII Japanese Type Designators
Appearing on Aircraft Guns, and a table of Japanese guns
of 20mm and 30mm calibre.
Historic Documents
Here is a list of wartime and post-war documents. Most of these
were gifts from Tony Williams or Ted Bradstreet.
- 200.
Entwicklung von Fliegerbordwaffen,
Munition und Einbauten
- Dipl. Ing. J. Mix
Unterluss Report 376. This report was prepared in 1948 for
the benefit of the victorious Allies. A translation to
English, by Altner, also exists, but it is not very good.
- 201.
Table of German Armament Equipment
- Bühler and Sörensen
Unterluss report 295/I and 295/II (two parts), also prepared
in 1948.
- 202.
The Development of German Aircraft Armament to 1945
- USAF Historical Studies: No.193
This is another English translation of Report 376 by Mix,
and much more fluent than Altner's.
- 203.
Ordnance Technical Intelligence Report Number 19
- Office of the Chief Ordnance Officer GHQ, AFPAC; prepared
by Lt. Edward B. Bruderlin and Lt. Robert S. Nelson.
A 1946 report on the development and production of small arms
and aircraft armament for the Japanese army.
- 204.
Merkbuch über die Munition
- Berlin, 1944.
Apparently a set of notes for the benefit of
trainee armourers.
Links
Here are some useful links. Elsewhere in these pages, an external link is
indicated with a symbol and a short
descriptive text.
The symbol is the link.
Next: Notes
© 1998-1999
Emmanuel Gustin
gustin@uia.ua.ac.be
visitors since 23 December 1998.