This impressive, newly-updated encyclopedia is both a fascinating history of aircraft carrier development and a well-documented visual directory of more than 150 of the world's aviation ships spanning a period of almost 120 years. The book's coverage follows the definition of an aircraft carrier as "a ship whose primary function is to operate aircraft", and includes, at one end of the chronological scale, kite balloon ships and airships and, at the other, the many types of modern warships that carry aircraft such as variable-geometry jets, V/STOL aircraft and helicopters. Each directory entry includes a specification panel detailing country of origin, date of commissioning, displacement, dimensions, types of aircraft carried, armament, machinery and performance. All the carriers are accompanied by identification photographs, many of which have never previously been published together in one volume. Illustrated throughout, this book provides both enthusiasts and historians with key information about the world's aircraft carriers, and is an essential read for anyone interested in naval aviation. An illustrated history of over 150 vessels from Zeppelins and seaplane carriers to V/STOL and nuclear-powered warships, with more than 650 identification photographs. Examines the evolution of the aircraft carrier: the first flights from ships in World War I; developments during the inter-war years and World War II; and the carriers used in Suez, Vietnam, the Falklands, Syria and Iraq. Features the most important vessels in the world, from early ships such as the USS Langley, HMS Furious, the Japanese Navy Hosho and the Italian Navy Giuseppe Miraglia, to the modern carriers of today including USS Gerald R. Ford, HMS Prince of Wales, INS Vikrant, Spanish Navy Juan Carlos I and the PLA Navy Type 001 Liaoning. Specification boxes provide at-a-glance information about each carrier's country of origin, date of commissioning, displacement, dimensions, types of aircraft carried, armament, machinery and performance. Includes a glossary explaining key military terms and abbreviations.
Author Biography:
Bernard Ireland spent more than 30 years in ship research for the Admiralty in the Royal Naval Scientific Service. He also worked as an illustrator for the shipping industry, producing artist’s impressions and technical cutaways for companies such as Canadian Pacific and Blue Star Lines, and produced illustrations for the Port of London Monthly. He authored more than 25 specialist naval books, and contributed to numerous artworks and journals on the history of ships.
Francis Crosby has written extensively on military history and historic aviation and has acted as an historian and consultant for the film, media and publishing industry. His books include The World Encyclopedia of Bombers; The World Encyclopedia of Military Helicopters; The World Encyclopedia of Fighter Aircraft; and The World Encyclopedia of Naval Aircraft (all Lorenz Books); Images of War D-Day; and Images of War: The Luftwaffe in World War II (both Pen and Sword).
