Spy Planes – Illustrated Guide from the First World War to the Present Day

Spy Planes – Illustrated Guide from the First World War to the Present Day is a reference work devoted to the history of reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft. Written by Norman Polmar and John F. Bessette, it traces the evolution of these specialised aircraft, used to gather strategic intelligence from the earliest days of aviation through to the modern era.

The book examines the role of spy planes in military doctrine, their design, development and operational deployment. The source entry notably mentions subjects such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, the fate of Gary Powers' U-2, the Open Skies treaty and the US Air Force's Big Safari programme. The work describes 70 famous spy planes and includes photographs as well as detailed technical data sheets covering their main specifications.

This book is aimed at enthusiasts of military aviation, readers interested in aerial intelligence, collectors of fine historical books and fans of specialised aircraft. From propeller-driven planes to jets, it highlights these "eyes in the sky" that have shaped more than a century of military history.

Why choose this product?

• Strong subject: military aviation, espionage and aerial reconnaissance.
• Illustrated work with photographs and technical data sheets.
• Covers a broad period, from the First World War to the present day.
• Of interest to enthusiasts of history, aviation and military technology.
• Format suited to readers and collectors alike.

Pairs well with:
Complement with a book on Second World War aviation, a work on combat aircraft, a vintage military cap or an aviation-inspired accessory.