Coined in the pioneer years of military aviation during World War I, the term ‘dogfight’ refers to an aerial battle between two opposing aircraft, with each pilot making the most of his machine’s speed and manoeuvrability to shoot down his opponent with guns or rockets.
Dogfight is a fascinating exploration of the world’s finest combat aircraft, compared and contrasted with opposing types – from the German Fokker Triplane of World War I, ranged against the Allied SPAD XIII, through famous World War II adversaries such as the Hurricane and the Bf 109, to modern aircraft which have met in combat such as the MiG-29 and the F-16. Aircraft that served in similar roles during World War II, such as the Lockheed Hudson and the Fw 200 Kondor, are also featured, as are types such as trainers and transport aircraft that served on opposing sides during the Cold War.
Each aircraft is illustrated with a spectacular three-quarter-view artwork, accompanied by detailed specifications and development history. The particular squadron history of the illustrated aircraft is also provided. A second spread features first-hand accounts of the merits and disadvantages of both aircraft – and where relevant an account of actual air combat between the two – accompanied by colour and black-and-white archive photography.