Britain’s Cold War Fighters explores the creation and development of the jet fighter, tracing the emergence of the first jet designs (the Meteor and Vampire) through to the first-generation jets which entered service with the RAF and Fleet Air Arm. Each aircraft type will be examined, looking at how the design was created and how this translated into an operational aircraft. The basic development and service history of each type will be examined, with a narrative that links the linear appearance of each new design, leading to the present day and the latest generation of Typhoon aircraft. Other aircraft types explored will include Hunter, Lightning, Phantom, Javelin and Tornado F2/3.

A beautiful and comprehensive study of the UK’s design and manufacture of its fighter programme from the end of the Second World War to present, Britain’s Cold War Fighters is of much importance to aviation and military historians, modellers as well as those interested in the growing popularity of the Cold War. Highly illustrated with many unpublished photos, interviews and eyewitness accounts, this an ideal companion piece to Fonthill Media’s Britain’s Cold War Bombers and is the subject of a BBC documentary currently in commission.

THE AUTHOR

Tim McLelland is an experienced and recognised author specialising in military aerospace subjects. He is also the writer of numerous well-known titles and contributor to many leading aerospace magazines. McLelland has flown in a wide range of military aircraft such as the Tornado, Harrier and Lightning, and has also taken part in four Red Arrows display routines. McLelland is a Vulcan specialist and has many contacts connected with the aircraft type including crew and designers. His previous book for Fonthill Media was the critically acclaimed Britain’s Cold War Bombers.