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Transportation History

Cockpit

An Illustrated History of World War II Aircraft Interiors

by (author) Donald Nijboer

photographs by Dan Patterson

Publisher
Boston Mills Press
Initial publish date
Sep 2006
Category
History, World War II, Aviation
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781550464887
    Publish Date
    Sep 2006
    List Price
    $24.95
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781550463743
    Publish Date
    Oct 1998
    List Price
    $49.95

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Out of print

This edition is not currently available in bookstores. Check your local library or search for used copies at Abebooks.

Description

The Second World War was a classic period in the development and perfection of propeller-driven aircraft. Built during the crisis of wartime, these aircraft and the cockpits within them were marvels of technology, ingenuity and design. Cockpit is the first book that puts the reader into the pilot's seat of these superb classic aircraft.

Cockpit is rich in historical photographs of the insides of dozens of the most celebrated, and feared, aircraft-American, British, Japanese, Russian and German. These vintage photographs and a candid "pilot's perspective" on each interior offer a unique behind-the-scenes view not only of the extraordinary aircraft, but also of the heroic men who flew them. Cockpits depicted include:

  • Lockheed P-38 Lightning
  • Hawker Hurricane
  • Grumman Wildcat
  • Mitsubishi Zero-Sen
  • Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Yakovlev Yak-3
  • Gloster Gladiator
  • Messerschmitt ME 262

About the authors

Donald Nijboer is co-author, with photographer Dan Patterson, of Cockpit: An Illustrated History of World War II Aircraft Interiors, Gunner: An Illustrated History of World War II Aircraft Turrets and Gun Positions and Cockpits of the Cold War. He lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Donald Nijboer's profile page

Dan Patterson's profile page

Editorial Reviews

The writer [Donald Nijboer] and photographer Dan Patterson have triumphed in recording the "offices" of 37 front-line aircraft of World War II.

Air Pictorial

A great title suited to the modeler but with enough information to appease the ardent enthusiast. It would even be a good coffee table type and to my eyes is presented a bit that way. Having said that I do not believe it detracts from it in any way. Recommended.

HyperScale.com

The cockpit photographs are superb ... you can not only read every tiny placard, but see where a mechanic's screwdriver slipped while tightening up an access panel.

Pilot

As you thumb through this book, you'll swear you can smell oil and av-gas.

Air and Space Smithsonian

[Globe and Mail 2006 Holiday Gift Book selection]

Globe and Mail

[reviewed with Gunner] A plethora of wonderful colour images both original and modern ... of such high quality that they yield some excellent information ... The large format wartime colour photos are simply fantastic. Highly recommended for aircraft fanatics and modellers too.

TMMI (Tamiya Model Magazine International)