Brassey's Modern Fighters: The Ultimate Guide to In-Flight Tactics, Technology, Weapons, and Equipment [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover)

~ Mike Spick (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Today's fighter aircraft are breathtaking in their capabilities. Speed, maneuvering, firepower, and stealth combine to make these planes the ultimate in aerial combat. Modern Fighters expertly guides you through the evolution of fighter aviation--from the "stick and string" flying machines of the 1900's , through the throes of two world wars, to the sophisticated weapon systems of today.

Inside you'll find a detailed look at the technology, design, dimensions, and combat quailities of the world's fighter aircraft--from China's Chengdu F-7MG and Russia's MIIG-31 Foxhound to France's Mirage 2000 and America's F-22 Raptor. You'll also discoverup-to-date information about radar and infra-red detectionmeasures, missile guidance systems, cockpit commuications, ballistics, and stealth technology. Finally, Modern Fighters looks to the future and analyzes what it will tke to achieve and maintain air superiority in the Twenty-first century.

Clearly written, with dramatic action photograph supplemented by technical diagrams and detailed specifications, Modern Fighters is an indispensable reference for professional airmen and aviation enthusiasts alike.

About the Author

Mike Spick is a leading commentator on military aviation with more than twenty-five books to his credit, including Modern Air Combat, Illustrated Guide to Modern Attack Aircraft, and Classic Warplanes. He is currently a consultant to AirForces monthly and a contributor to Air International and Air Enthusiast.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Brassey's Inc; illustrated edition edition (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574882473
• ISBN-13: 978-1574882476
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 8.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,678,316 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good info and photos; sloppy editing, July 25, 2002

By	Frank Lin - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a worthwhile book for those interested in modern military aviation. Covered here are 16 modern fighters in service - China's J-7 and J-8, Tornado, Mirage 2000, Su-27/35 family, Mig 29, Mig 31, Harrier/AV-8, Eurofighter, Rafael, F-14, F-15, F-16, F-18, Sweden's SAAB-39 Grippen, and Taiwan's IDF, and 4 aircraft in development stage: Sukhoi's S-37 Berkut, JSF's, and F-22. Curiously, among the more fascinating fighters still in development, 3 are not covered here: India's LCA, Japan's F-2, and Russia's Mig 1.44/MFI.

It discusses some newer technologies like stealth, unmanned combat vehicles, laser weapons, and thrust-vectoring (mentioning X-31). Fighter maneuvers and tactics are also covered. Mike Spick does a good job describing each integral part of a modern fighter plane, like the propulsion system, wing aspect ratio, ejection seats, radar, etc. There are nice photos. The charts comparing performances of aircraft are interesting.

The most obvious flaw of this book is very sloppy editing. Typos are abundant. There are some errors, some obviously accidental (e.g., it mentions that Taiwan started IDF development in 1992 -- but it should be 1982 -- in 1992 IDF was well in production and Taiwan had ordered F-16 and Mirage 2000).

Also I wished that Mike Spick could give more subjective views of the aircraft. For example, how is F-16 compared to F-18? Why would an airforce choose one over the other (e.g. Spain, Canada, and Australia all chose F-18 and no F-16). Although he dose give good opinions and comparisons when talking about the Su-27 family.

Overall, still a pretty good book.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enhanced throughout with dramatic photographs, February 20, 2001

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

In Brassey's Modern Fighters: The Ultimate Guide to In-Flight Tactics, Technology, Weapons, and Equipment, military aviation expert Mike Spick provides the reader with a detailed and comprehensive survey of the technology, design, dimensions, and combat qualities of fighter aircraft from around the world and ranging from China's Chengdu F-7MG and Russia's MiG-31 Foxhound, to the French Mirage 2000 and the America F-22 Raptor. Also provided is a wealth of up-to-date information on radar, infra-red detection measures, missile guidance systems, cockpit communications, ballistics, and stealth technology. The superbly written text is enhanced throughout with dramatic photographs and is highly recommended reading for military buffs and aviation enthusiasts.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars On Brassey's Modern Fighters, June 9, 2005

A Kid's Review

Awesome!!!! Though I'm only 10, accurate photos and easy- to- read text allowed me to learn a lot about fighters.