At the height of the Second World War, Britain's skies were alight with dogfights, and its towns and cities bustling with the manufacturing of aircraft. The distant thunder of Spitfires, Hurricanes and bombers became a recurring sound, and rolling landscapes littered with airfields a familiar sight. As the air war transformed Britain's towns and countryside, it also ignited the imaginations of artists. The Air War in Paintings reveals how the artists of the 1940s responded to the unfolding air war in Britain, illuminating their private anxieties, their ambitions and their experiences. Drawing on the Imperial War Museum's unrivalled collection, this richly illustrated book explores how war artists recorded and documented all aspects of the vast efforts to build Britain's air capacity at a crucial time in its history

For over fifteen years, the name of Mark Postlethwaite has been well-known and respected throughout the world of aviation art. Now, for the first time, over fifty of Mark's finest original paintings of this period are brought together in one truly outstanding collector's edition. Unlike most aviation art publications, War in the Air sets out the history shown in each of the paintings, with first-hand accounts and rare original wartime photographs. The historical text has been specially commissioned from leading aviation author Chris Goss, an expert in Luftwaffe and RAF operations over Europe.

Some of greatest dramas of World War II occurred in the skies, where courageous and the tenacious fighter pilots battled in dogfights so fierce that the pilots -- and their planes -- became legends in their own time. Their stories continue to capture the imaginations of World War II buffs and history fans today, as well as countless talented artists who painstakingly recreate their most famous battles in vivid detail, and with staggering accuracy. This fantastic volume presents more than one hundred such works, with detailed historical descriptions of each scene.-- With more than 100 full-color reproductions of works by today's most renowned historical artists-- Archival photographs of legendary Aces and historical descriptions of their planes and their greatest battles enhance each scene presented-- Includes the greatest Aces of both the Allied and Axis forces

Allied victory in the Second World War owed much to air power. The success of military and naval operations invariably hinged on control of the skies, and the rise to dominance of the Allied air forces meant that the Nazi war machine was effectively doomed. Following the success of 'The Second World War in Colour', this book presents a further selection of original colour photographs from the IWM collection, focusing on Allied aircraft and airmen. Alongside these striking images, 'War in the Air' examines how crucial aviation was to winning the war, from the defence of Britain's skies and maritime trade, to battlefield support in North Africa and Europe and the strategic bombing offensive over Germany. Shot from the ground and from the air, these powerful images bring a vital aspect of the Second World War to life.

Planes on the ground, being readied for the fight. Others in mid-battle, soaring above smoke-and-fire filled targets or engaging in skirmishes with nearby enemy pilots. And still more, returning from the fray, their crews blessedly still alive. 75 breathtaking paintings capture in vivid detail the drama and action of air combat in World War II--the war that launched a new era in military history with its strategic use of bombers. The contributors include many of today's most noted historical artists, including Robert Bailey, Stan Stokes, Robert Taylor, Roy Grinnell, and Jim Dietz. Extensive captions offer insight into each scene, with information on the pilot, crew, and unit, while archival photographs of these brave soldiers of the air breathe life into each scene--Publisher.

A collection of full-color artwork from World War One that illustrates the immense destruction and human turmoil of The Great War. World War One raged from 1914 through 1918. Before the advent of modern video and photography, artists documented it using a variety of mediums for newspapers and magazines from the era. Using their imagination and technical skill, these talented illustrators and painters created something beautiful out of something terrible that gives a candid look at one humanity's greatest conflicts. The Art of World War 1 collects more than 100 brilliant pieces from the WW1-era depicting French, British, German, American troops, and more involved in the struggle. Stunning color illustrations from artists like Francois Flameng, Charles Hoffbauer, G. Koch, Georges Scott, Willy Stöwer, and more fill the pages with intimate scenes and epic shots of destruction. Included are prints featuring air combat, soldiers charging, tanks, boats, and the aftermath of battle. Using pens, pencils, paints, and brushes, they captured the action and emotion of The Great War in a way that film could not. In many cases, these brave individuals traveled to the front lines and sketched, drew, and painted what they saw. More than 100 years after its creation, their art is more vivid and impactful today than ever before.

This book is a collection of 60 aviation paintings by the artist Robert Taylor, all of which are accompanied by a personal narrative, describing his subject in terms of the methods he uses to portray his genre.