Osprey Publishing

Intended to replace the proliferation of different small arms fielded by US forces during the American Civil War, the "Trapdoor Springfield" was designed in 1865-66 by Erskine S. Allin. Using metallic cartridges, it could be loaded in a single action, increasing the number of shots per minute as much as fivefold. The new weapon quickly proved its worth in two separate incidents in August 1867: small groups of US soldiers and civilians armed with the trapdoor repulsed numerically superior...

About this Osprey Publishing BookAt the height of the Seven Years' War, Great Britain made an audacious strike at the heart of Spanish colonial power in the Caribbean. Gathering troops from bases in Britain and Canada and sailing across the Atlantic in secrecy was an incredible feat. The raid on Havana took Spanish colonial forces completely by surprise and following vicious fighting, the city defences at El Moro collapsed. Havana, the jewel in the Spanish colonial crown, now belonged to...

At the time of its operational debut the fighter's design features offered the revolutionary combination of an all-round vision canopy, cannon armament and a jettisonable drop tank giving it phenomenal range. Together with the flying and tactical proficiency of superbly trained pilots, this made the Zero-sen a true strategic fighter, spearheading Japan's offensive in the Pacific. It was also the mount of a plethora of successful and flamboyant naval aces engaged in both sea and land campaigns.

About this Osprey Publishing BookJagdgeschwader 3 may not have the same immediate resonance as some of the more famous Luftwaffe fighter units, such Jagdgeschwader 2 -Richthofen', but it is arguably the archetypal German fighter formation of World War 2. Not only did it participate in every campaign fought by the Luftwaffe (with the exceptions of Poland and Norway), it flew every major variant of the two legendary German wartime fighters, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 -...

Aces of Jagdgeschwader Nr III from Osprey Publishing Item Number:OSPACE128 Author: Greg VanWyngarden Illustrator: Harry Dempsey, Mark Postlethwaite Short code: ACE 128 Publication Date: 20 Jan 2016 Number of Pages: 96 About this Osprey Publishing Book Royal Prussian Jagdgeschwader Nr III was the third of Germany's vaunted fighter wings to be formed during World War 1. Commanded by the Pour le M-rite winner and well-respected ace Hauptmann Bruno Loerzer for its entire existence, it was composed...

The ace pilots of the Republic of China Air Force have long been shrouded in mystery and obscurity, as their retreat to Taiwan in 1949 and blanket martial law made records of the RoCAF all but impossible to access. Now, for the first time, the colourful story of these aces can finally be told. Using the latest research based on released archival information and full-colour illustrations, this book charts the history of the top scoring pilots of the RoCAF from the beginning of the gruelling,...

About this Osprey Publishing BookDubbed the -Eagles of Duxford', the 78th Fighter Group (FG) was unique in being the only fighter unit in the -Mighty Eighth' to fly the P-38 Lightning, P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang operationally. Arriving in the European Theatre of Operations (ETO) in November 1942, and eventually committed to combat five months later, the 78th, along with the 4th and 56th FGs, -wrote the book' on long-range fighter escort by VIII Fighter Command in the ETO. This volume...

Across A Deadly Field - Regimental Rules for Civil War Battles from Osprey Publishing Item Number:OSPACW1 American Civil War Series Across A Deadly Field – The War in the East : Written by: John Hill Illustrated by: Mark Stacey The American Civil War was a turning point in the history of warfare, as Napoleonic tactics met deadly new technology. Cannons and rifles had become more accurate at longer ranges, rapid-fire pistols gave cavalry a new weapon, and the telegraph and railroad...

African American Soldier In Cw by OspreyItem Number: OSPWAR114Warrior 114Author: Mark LardasIllustrator: Peter DennisAbout this bookApproximately 200,000 African Americans fought for the Union during the Civil War. Initially, many white soldiers doubted their bravery and skill; they were soon proved wrong. The United States Colored Troops performed countless acts of courage, most famously at the battle of Fort Wagner where the 54th Massachusetts marched forth and scaled the parapets, only to...

Albatros Aces Of Ww-I Pt1 by OspreyItem Number: OSPACE32Author: Norman FranksIllustrator: Harry DempseyAbout this bookThe Albatros family of fighters were amongst the most effective aircraft employed by the Idlfieg (Imperial German Air Service) for much of World War 1, with the D.III and D.Va being flown by most of the 363 pilots who qualified as aces at some point in their often brief careers. The Albatros was the scourge of the RFC on the Western Front in 1916-17, with pilots of the calibre...

Allied Tank Destroyers by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPVAN10This book offers a complete guide to the design, development and deployment of Allied tank destroyers during World War 2, including the M10, the M36 and M3. The concept behind the tank destroyer is explored, and its combat experience in North Africa, the Mediterranean and North-West Europe is detailed.

American Bomber Crewman 1941-5 by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPWAR119Gregory Fremont-Barnes examines the lives of the American Bomber Crewmen of the Eighth Air Force, 'The Mighty Eighth', who manned, maintained and repaired the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses and the B-24 Liberators that flew from the airfields of England. He highlights the physical and psychological strain placed on these men, who required brute strength to control the aircraft on long bombing missions and extraordinary...

Author: Ren_ ChartrandIllustrators: Gerry Embleton Sam EmbletonAbout this bookTo celebrate the 450th titlein the Men-at-Arms series,this book examines in muchmore depth than previouslythe units and the uniforms of a still-controversialarmy: the many thousandsof American colonists who chose to fight for King George during the Revolution. As wellas the better-known corps fromthe Atlantic seaboard, theauthor covers the units raised for service against the Spanish in the Floridas, the...

Author: Warren ThompsonIllustrator: Chris DaveyAbout this book ? The Americans lagged behind their European contemporaries in military aviation in the late 1930s, and it took the Battle of Britain to awaken America to the necessity of having aircraft that could defend targets against night-time attack by bomber aircraft. This book examines the numerous aircraft types that were used by the US in this role, beginning with the early stop-gap conversions like the TBM Avenger, Lockheed Ventura and...

American Spitfire Aces Ww-Ii by OspreyItem Number: OSPACE80Aircraft of the Aces 80Author: Andrew ThomasIllustrator: Chris DaveyAbout this bookThe first few American volunteers in World War 2 flew Spitfires with the RAF during the Battle of Britain. Many more joined their ranks, often posing as 'Canadians', eventually forming three Eagle squadrons who earned a fierce fighting reputation. When the United States entered the war its fighter sections were issued with Spitfires and eventually the...

From the 1840s onward, United States military forces clashed with the Apache, a group of Native American peoples associated with the southwestern part of North America. US territorial expansion and conflict - first with Mexico and then during the Civil War - led to an escalation of hostilities that culminated in the defeat of the Apache leader Geronimo in 1886, although fighting continued into the 20th century. In this study the clashes at Cieneguilla (1854), First Adobe Walls (1864), and...

Once Nazi Germany had conquered Norway in 1940, just a handful of Gruppen flying the Bf 109 and Bf 110 fighters were able to shatter all opposition and dominate the air in the Arctic Circle. Yet as the dual threats of the RAF and the Red Air Force grew, the Luftwaffe was forced to increase its fighter presence to full Geschwader strength with the formation of JG 5 Eismeer (Ice-sea) in early 1942.The struggle for the frozen skies of the arctic raged on until the end of the war as the embattled...

Modelling Masterclass Hard CoverAuthor: John PrigentAbout this bookArmour Modelling answers all a modeller's 'how do I do this' questions. Beginning with the very basics required to build a 'first kit' it works its way through the various skills that any modeller using plastic kits, etched-metal sets and resin or white-metal parts needs to know about to master advanced level techniques.John Prigent breaks the world of armour modelling down into simple, easy to understand chapters that...

Armour Of The Pacific War by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPVAN35This book investigates the design, deployment and development of the armoured vehicles that saw service in the Pacific theatre of World War 2. The course of the war is traced, and the vehicles- performance summarised. Vehicles are shown in full colour artwork.

About this Osprey Publishing BookThe first 'bushrangers' or frontier outlaws were escaped or time-expired convicts, who took to the wilderness - 'the bush' - in New South Wales and on the island of Tasmania. Initially, the only Crown forces available were redcoats from the small, scattered garrisons, but by 1825 the problem of outlawry led to the formation of the first Mounted Police from these soldiers.The gold strikes of the 1860s attracted a new group of men who preferred to get rich by the...

About this Osprey Publishing BookAt the outbreak of World War I Austria-Hungary had four modern light cruisers and twenty modern destroyers at their disposal, constructed in the early 20th century to defend their growing overseas interests. It was these fast light vessels, not the fleet's prized battleships, which saw most action during the war; from the bombardment of enemy batteries during the Montenegrin Campaign to their victory over the Allied fleet at the Battle of the Strait of Otranto...

AV-8B Harrier II Units of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPCOM90The AV-8B is the only tactical aircraft that can deploy with Marine forces on amphibious assault ships and provide air cover and close air support separate from large deck aircraft carriers. When Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990, a coalition of nations launched Operation Desert Shield in order to defend Saudi Arabia, and the Harrier II was among the first tactical air assets to be...

The Avro Lancaster was one of the finest bombers of World War II and became the spearhead of the RAF's strategic bombing campaign over the Third Reich. Richard Marks draws on extensive research and detailed technical drawings to explore the evolution of this heavy bomber, revealing how its design developments transformed an old airframe from a dangerous liability into one of the most powerful weapons in the RAF arsenal. It demonstrated excellent performance, ruggedness and good handling...

Balloon-Busting Aces of World War 1 by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPACE66Aircraft of the Aces 66Author: Jon GuttmanIllustrator: Harry DempseyAbout this bookTethered balloons reached their zenith as a means of providing a stationary observation platform above the battlefield during World War I. It took a special breed of daredevil to take on such odds deep in enemy lines in order to destroy a balloon, with Balloon specialists such as Willy Coppens, Pierre Bourjade and Michel Coiffard rising...

Focusing on the savage close-quarters fighting between Germany's armoured divisions and the US infantry during the Battle of the Bulge, Steven Zaloga's absorbing study compares and assesses the strengths and limitations of the cutting-edge technology used by both sides. Featuring specially commissioned full-colour artwork and explosive battle reports, this volume casts new light on the evolving nature of infantry-versus-tank combat in the closing months of World War II.

Beaufighter Aces Of Ww-Ii by OspreyItem Number: OSPACE65Aircraft of the Aces 65Author: Andrew ThomasIllustrator: John WealAbout this bookEntering service at the end of the Battle of Britain, the pugnacious Bristol Beaufighter was deployed in numbers by Fighter Command just in time for the start of the Luftwaffe's night 'Blitz' on Britain. Flown by specialised nightfighter squadrons ' several of them elite pre-war Auxiliary Air Force units ' it was the first nightfighter to be equipped with an...

Bell X-1 by Peter E. Davies

Bf-109 Defence Of The Reich Ac by OspreyItem Number: OSPACE68Aircraft of the Aces 68Illustrator: John WealAbout this bookThis volume tells the story of the daylight air battles over Germany through the eyes of the Bf 109 aces involved. It traces the development of the aerial defence of the Reich from its small beginnings to arguably the most savage and costliest campaign in the history of aerial warfare. The Luftwaffe pilots explain their tactics and relate their experiences ' in the early...

Bf-109d/E Aces 1939-41 by OspreyItem Number: OSPACE11About this bookThe period covered in this volume was considered to be the 'glory years' for the Jagdwaffe - fresh from the experience gained in the Spanish Civil War - and for the Bf 109 in particular. Many famous pilots scored their first kills in the classic dogfights staged over Poland, Western Europe, the Channel and finally southern England. Some 40 Knight's Crosses were awarded in 1940 alone. However, after sweeping all before them in...

Blue Division Soldier 1941-45 Spanish Volunteer on the Eastern Front by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPWAR142Warrior 142Author: Carlos Caballero JuradoIllustrator: Ramiro BujeiroAbout this bookThe all-volunteer -Blue Division- was a formation that allowed Franco-s technically neutral Spain to support Nazi Germany-s invasion of Russia. Following initial training in Germany, the Blue Division-s units were sent to the Eastern Front in August 1941, where, after a 40-day march to the front, the...

Bmp Infantry Fighting Vehicle by OspreyItem Number: OSPNVG12New Vanguard 12Author: Steven J ZalogaIllustrator: Peter SarsonAbout this bookThe Russian BMP infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) was one of the most significant innovations in infantry tactics in the latter half of the 20th century. Built in response to the threat of nuclear warfare, it was the world's first IFV, providing the infantry squad with unprecedented firepower, mobility and protection. With over 55,000 manufactured since 1966,...

In the mid-1960s, the Soviet Union unveiled the BMP, the first true infantry fighting vehicle. A revolutionary design, the BMP marked a significant departure from the traditional armoured personnel carrier, with a lower silhouette and heavier armament than rival APCs. One of the most fearsome light-armoured vehicles of its day, it caused great consternation on the other side of the Iron Curtain as the Americans scrambled to design a machine to rival the BMP. The result was the M2/M3 Bradley....

Brewster F2a Buffalo Aces Ww-2 by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPACE91 Aircraft of the Aces 91Authors: Kari Stenman Andrew ThomasIllustrator: Chris DaveyAbout this bookAlthough designed and built for the US Navy, the F2A fought in only one major US engagement, the battle of Midway, in which F2A pilots managed to shoot down a number of Japanese fighters. Soon replaced by the navy, the F2A was exported to Britain, where it was nicknamed the -Buffalo- thanks to its stubby appearance. The...

Bristol F2 Fighter Aces Ww-I by OspreyItem Number: OSPACE79Aircraft of the Aces 79Author: Jon GuttmanIllustrator: Harry DempseyAbout this bookThis is the history of the best Allied fighter-destroyer of World War I and the pilots who flew it. Numerous ace teams earned the 'Biff' grudging respect from its German opponents, as the crews operated the plane not as a standard two-seater, but as a single-seat with a 'sting in the tail' in the form of a rear gunner with a Lewis machine gun. This book...

In 1906, the Germans began building their own dreadnought fleet armed with larger guns, word of which soon reached the British Admiralty. This raised the spectre that the British dreadnought fleet would be outgunned, and prompted the Admiralty to order the building of their own "super dreadnoughts-. The first of these new dreadnoughts were laid down in 1909, and entered service three years later. The British public supported this programme, and the slogan "we want eight and cannot wait- became...

British Aircraft Carriers 1939-45 by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPNVG168New Vanguard 168Author: Angus KonstamIllustrator: Tony BryanAbout this bookWith war against Germany looming, Britain pushed forward its carrier program in the late 1930s. In 1938, the Royal Navy launched the HMS Ark Royal, its first-ever purpose-built aircraft carrier. This was quickly followed by others, including the highly-successful Illustrious class. Smaller and tougher than their American cousins, the British...

British Anti-Tank Artillery by OspreyItem Number: OSPNVG98New Vanguard 98Author: Chris HenryIllustrator: Brian DelfAbout this bookThe rapid development of the tank as an offensive weapon following its introduction in World War I gave artillery theorists cause for concern during the 1920s and 1930s. By the beginning of World War II anti-tank guns had been developed, initially at around 37mm and 2 pounds in weight of shot. By the end of the war, monster anti-tank weapons were being developed,...

British Battlecruisers 1939-45 by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPNVG88 New Vanguard 88Author: Angus KonstamIllustrator: Tony BryanAbout this bookWhen war broke out in 1939, only three true battlecruisers remained in the Royal Navy including HMS -Hood-, the world's largest and fastest capital ship for much of her life, which would be destroyed in action against the German battleship -Bismarck-. Out of the remaining two battlecruisers (-Repulse- and -Renown-) one was sunk by Japanese aircraft...

British Battleships 1939-45 by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPNVG154Author: Angus KonstamIllustrators: Tony Bryan Paul WrightAbout this bookWith the outbreak of World War II, Britain-s Royal Navy and her fleet of battleships would be at the forefront of her defence. Yet ten of the 12 battleships were already over 20 years old, having served in World War I, and required extensive modifications to allow them to perform a vital service throughout the six long years of conflict. This title...

British Battleships 1939-45 "Nelson and King George V Classes" by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPNVG160New Vanguard 160Author: Angus KonstamIllustrators: Tony Bryan Paul WrightAbout this bookWith the outbreak of World War II, Britain-s Royal Navy and her fleet of battleships would be at the forefront of her defence. Yet ten of the twelve battleships were already over twenty years old, having served in World War I, and required extensive modifications to allow them to perform a vital service...

About this Osprey Publishing BookWith Hitler's army rampaging across Europe, Winston Churchill ordered the creation of a special fighting force - the Commandos. These valiant men were volunteers drawn from the ranks of the British Army, formed into a Special Service Brigade and put through a rigorous but highly effective training programme. Over the course of World War II they would see action in every major theatre of operation and are credited with numerous feats of gallantry during the...

This book investigates the design, development and operation of the machines deployed by the British Guards Armoured Division during World War 2, including the Stuart Light Tank, the Sherman Medium Tank and the Crusader Cruiser Tank . The division's experiences in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany are all covered.

Author: Angus KonstamIllustrator: Paul WrightAbout this bookThe idea of a heavy cruiser emerged in the aftermath of World War I, and was closely linked to the limits set by the inter-war Washington Naval Treaty. The pre-World War I concept of armoured cruisers had been abandoned, but in their stead the Admiralty saw a place for powerful cruisers, able to patrol the sea lanes of the British Empire, and which were well-armed enough that they could destroy enemy commerce cruisers. The result was...

In an age when infantry units manoeuvred and fought in rigid blocks, the idea of encouraging initiative and allowing a unit to 'skirmish' was regarded as revolutionary and fell out of favour in the years following the French-Indian and American Revolutionary wars. It was revived by far-sighted British and foreign-mercenary officers, who observed the way in which French Revolutionary armies deployed skirmishers to prepare the way for their assault columns.Offering a detailed analysis of the...

British Mark I Tank 1916 by OspreyItem Number: OSPNVG100New Vanguard 100Author: David FletcherIllustrator: Tony BryanAbout this bookIn 1915 a machine christened Little Willie changed the way that wars were fought. Little Willie was a fully tracked armoured vehicle that could break a trench system. Its development was completed in December 1915, but by then it had already been superseded by an improved design, Mother. This was the first rhomboid tank, and the prototype for the Mark 1 which...

British Motor Gun Boats 1939- by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPNVG166Author: Angus KonstamIllustrator: Tony BryanAbout this bookMotor Gun Boats were the -Spitfires of the Seas- of the Royal Navy. Bristling with small-calibre guns and machine guns, they served in a variety of roles during the War. In the early war period they battled against German E-boats in the English Channel, then went on the offensive, searching the enemy shore for targets of opportunity. At other times, they ran...

Providing a unique glimpse into the experiences of regular British and French infantry during the French and Indian War, Stuart Reid reveals what it was like to fight in three battles at the height of the struggle for Canada: La Belle-Famille, the Plains of Abraham and Sainte-Foy. In 1755, Britain and France both decided to escalate a low intensity frontier war that had started the previous year by dispatching regular troops to their respective colonies in North America. Far from home, both...

British Submarines 1939-45 by Osprey PublishingItem Number: OSPNVG129New Vanguard 129Author: Innes McCartneyIllustrator: Tony BryanAbout this bookThe submarine was the invisible but formidable weapon of the Royal Navy during World War II. This book examines the three major classes - 'S', 'T' and 'U' - detailing their design, development and modification. The major submarine engagements of the war are recounted, including the Norwegian campaign, the battle of Malta in March 1942, Operation...