At the beginning of the First World War, aviation was still in its infancy. The engine power of the aircraft was usually only 100 hp, there was hardly any offensive armament apart from the usual carbines or pistols. The only exception was France, whose planes were already equipped with machine guns and bombs. As the leading aviation nation, France maintained this lead until the 1920s. Even before 1914, Ottoman, Italian and American planes had thrown self-made explosive devices at their opponents in limited conflicts, mostly border disputes, but they were still a long way from a bomb war.
Only in the First World War all parties did use the aircraft as a new weapon for dropping explosive devices. In addition to the ongoing development of the aircraft and their armament, the equipment of the aviators was improved enormously. As early as 1917, the radio system made it possible to find the exact location of your own location, so that the pilots could find their own airfield even without a view. This publication describes the technical development from the first pigeon types to the metal aircraft during the First World War.
Following types are described:
Tauben - Flugzeuge, Albatros D.I ? D.Va, LVG C.VI, Halberstadt Cl.IV, Sopwith F.1 Camel, Nieuport 17/23.
240 pictures and illustrations (some in colour) as well as 4 colour profiles.

Author(s): Michael Schmeelke
Publisher: VDM
Pages: 116
Language: German
Edition: 1
Year of publication: 2020
Dimensions: 29,7 x 21 cm
Binding: Hardcover