THIS EDITION OF AEROPLANE COLLECTORS’ ARCHIVE focuses on the broad range of fighter aircraft operated by the German Luftwaffe during the Second World War. As well as using pictures taken by German and Allied photographers, the main types are illustrated with period artwork produced by Aeroplane artist James (Jimmy) Clark together with Air Ministry instructional diagrams and more recent examples of cutaway drawings from the talented artist, John Weal.

During the war years, the Air Ministry allowed Aeroplane and Flight magazine artists and photographers access to captured Luftwaffe aircraft. While the Ministry was not in the market to promote enemy aircraft, it was important for the British technical press to gain knowledge of what the Allies were up against and to give readers, many of whom were in the Services, useful information on what the enemy was capable of producing. Some of these pictures are included, together with others taken by the German Propaganda Ministry and Luftwaffe pilots and aircrew.

Thirteen fighter types are described and presented in the rough order of their first flight dates and this clearly shows how German designers worked hard to meet the urgent needs of the Luftwaffe as the conflict turned steadily in favour of the Allies. Advanced aeronautical research was strongly supported by the Third Reich and innovative ideas were numerous among the leading designers in the main manufacturing companies, but raw materials and the Allied bombing campaign against Hitler’s fuel supplies frustrated the introduction of new fighters in sufficient numbers to overcome the ascendancy of Allied air power and change the course of the war.

The book begins with a section outlining the early biplane fighters with which the German Air Force began its comparatively short existence, and at the end of the book is a brief look at Germany’s other, less numerous fighters and the last few desperate attempts to produce expendable rocket-powered interceptors.