{"title":"Martin W Bowman","description":"\u003cp\u003eMartin W Bowman’s works delve into the daring exploits and technical histories of aviation, capturing the spirit of travel and adventure from the skies. His books offer detailed accounts of iconic aircraft and the pilots who mastered them, blending engaging storytelling with meticulous research.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaders can expect vivid narratives that bring to life the challenges and triumphs of aerial pioneers, perfect for enthusiasts of military aviation and those fascinated by the thrill of airborne exploration.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-men-who-flew-the-vought-f4u-corsair-by-martin-w-bowman-9781399014946","title":"The Men Who Flew the Vought F4U Corsair","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst flown in 1940, the prototype Vought F4U Corsair instantly became the fastest fighter in the world and the fastest US aircraft of any description. Powered by a huge 18-cylinder Pratt and Whitney Double Wasp engine driving an enormous 13 feet 4-inch propeller, the first Corsairs were capable of 417mph. This figure would rise to nearly 450mph in later versions despite the fact that fuel load and overall weight was increased.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eProduction began in 1941, not only by Vought but also by Goodyear and Brewster. The F4U entered service with the US Navy in September 1942, although carrier-borne operations were initiated a little later not by the Americans but by the British Fleet Air Arm. The aircraft subsequently came to be extensively used from land and sea by the US Marines, Royal Navy and Royal New Zealand Air Force.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFamous squadrons like VMF-214 'The Black Sheep' and VF-17 'Jolly Rogers', along with many others, maintained total ascendancy over the Japanese for the rest of the war—a remarkable achievement for a single type. After the Second World War, the Corsair stayed in production and was used with distinction by the French in Indo-China and again by the US Navy in Korea. Since then, Corsairs have achieved significant success in air races and more and more are being restored to fly for museums and warbird enthusiasts the world over.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMartin Bowman's comprehensive new book combines technical information and detailed development history with a fascinating combat history told, in many cases, by the Second World War pilots themselves. Well researched, readable and illustrated with dozens of rare and previously unpublished photographs, \u003cem\u003eThe Men Who Flew the Vought F4U Corsair\u003c\/em\u003e is the perfect book for any fan of the 'bent wing bird'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAUTHOR:\u003c\/strong\u003e Martin W. Bowman is one of Britain's best-known aviation historians and authors. His previous books have included works such as \u003cem\u003eLegend of the Lancaster\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eConfounding the Reich\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eDuxford and the Big Wings\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eClash of Eagles\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eLost Wings of World War I\u003c\/em\u003e and numerous titles in the exhaustive Air War series providing extensive coverage of operations carried out on D-Day and during the Market-Garden offensive at Arnhem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47900652896492,"sku":"9781399014946","price":56.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}]}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/martin-w-bowman.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}