Cobra! Bell Aircraft Corporation 1934-1946 (Schiffer 0887409113)

Category Aviation Books, Subcategory Aircraft Manufacturers, ISBN/Box 0887409113, Publisher/Brand Schiffer, Author Matthews, Birch, Format a4, No. Pages 432, Version hb, Language English

Cobra! is a comprehensive, meticulously researched and fully documented history of Bell Aircraft Corporation and their piston engine fighters built during the Great Depression and through World War II. While the story centers on techincal aspects of the various fighters, significant attention is also devoted to those key individuals who conceived, built and flew these innovative designs. In addition to aircraft development, Cobra! surveys the combat use of the P-39 and P-63 fighters in the hands of American, French, Italian, and Soviet pilots. The story continues after World War II when a number of Bell surplus fighters were successfully modified for air racing. Birch Matthews is also the author of Wet Wings & Drop Tanks: Recollection of American Transcontinental Air Racing 1928-1970, and Mustang: The Racing Thoroughbred(with Dustin W. Carter).