Grumman Aircraft: Illustrated History Books & Guides

F4F Wildcat vs A6M Zero-Sen - Pacific, 1942 (Osprey)

The Grumman F4F Wildcat and the Mitsubishi A6M Zero-sen were contemporaries, although designed to very different requirements. The Wildcat, ruggedly built to survive the rigors of carrier operations, was the best carrier fighter the US Navy had available when the USA entered World War II, and it remained the principal fighter for the US Navy and the US Marine Corps until 1942-43.
With a speed greater than 300mph, exceptional manoeuvrability, long range, and an impressive armament the slick Zero-sen could out-perform any Allied fighter in 1941-42.
The battles between the Wildcat and the Zero-sen during 1942 represent a classic duel in which pilots flying a nominally inferior fighter successfully developed air-combat tactics that negated the strengths of their opponent.

Contents: Introduction - Chronology - Design and Development - Technical Specifications - The Strategic Situation - The Combatants - Combat - Statistics and Analysis - Aftermath - Bibliography - Index.

Product details

Author:	Edward M. Young
Details:	80 pages, 9.7 x 7.3 x 0.28 in (24.5 x 18.5 x 0.7 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	photos and drawings (in b&w and color)
Language:	English
Publisher:	Osprey Publishing (GB, 2013)
Series:	Duel (54)
ISBN:	9781780963228

F6F Hellcat - Grumman's Ace Maker in World War II (Legends of Warfare)

The Grumman F6F Hellcat formed the backbone of America's carrier-based fighter force as the Allies pressed the war toward Japan. Powered by a massive and reliable Pratt & Whitney radial engine, the Hellcat racked up an incredible 19: 1 kill ratio against its foes in WWII, and 305 aviators earned ace status while flying the Hellcat. Such famed US naval aces as David McCampbell, Cecil Harris, Eugene Valencia, and Alex Vraciu all flew the Hellcat.
In addition to its wing-mounted .50-caliber machine guns, the F6F was equipped to carry bombs as well, allowing pilots to deliver up to 2,000 pounds of bombs on targets.

By the time that Hellcat production ended in November 1945, 12,275 examples had rolled off Grumman's Bethpage, Long Island, assembly line. Through carefully researched photos, many never before published, the history and details of this iconic aircraft are revealed. Part of the Legends of Warfare series.

Product details

Author:	David Doyle
Details:	112 pages, 9.1 x 9.25 x 0.71 in (23 x 23.5 x 1.8 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	210 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2018)
Series:	Legends of Warfare
ISBN:	9780764356711

F6F Hellcat vs A6M Zero-Sen - Pacific Theater 1943-44 (Osprey)

The Grumman F6F Hellcat and Mitsubishi A6M Zero-sen were the two principal opposing fighters in the brutal aerial clashes of the Pacific War from 1943 onwards. Reminiscent of the preceding F4F Wildcat, the F6F Hellcat was designed specifically to counter the earlier A6M2 Zero-sen, the strengths and weaknesses of which became fully understood by US designers after an undamaged example was recovered in the Aleutians. The powerful Hellcat had an impressive top speed, rate of climb and armament, and it retained its predecessor's incredible ruggedness.
The A6M5 Zero-sen was also born out of an earlier type, but was intended merely as a stop-gap until more modern Japanese fighters could be produced to restore performance parity with Allied aircraft. The chaotic conditions of the Japanese Aircraft industry and war economy prevented new types from being built.
Featuring detailed artwork illustrating the technical specifications of these two types and the dramatic encounters between them, this volume focuses on how these iconic fighters came into being, and how they fared as they faced one another over the Pacific skies of World War II.

Contents: Introduction - Chronology - Design and Development - Technical Specifications - The Strategic Situation - The Combatants - Combat - Statistics and Analysis - Aftermath - Further Reading - Index.

Product details

Author:	Edward M. Young
Details:	80 pages, 9.8 x 7.3 x 0.31 in (25 x 18.5 x 0.8 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	photos and drawings (in b&w and color)
Language:	English
Publisher:	Osprey Publishing (GB, 2014)
Series:	Duel (62)
ISBN:	9781782008132

F8F Bearcat - Grumman's Late-War Dogfighter (Legends of Warfare)

The Grumman F8F Bearcat was a fast and agile carrier-based fighter designed for the Pacific theater. Although some were delivered before Japan's surrender, there is no evidence it saw combat in World War II. With the arrival of the jet age and the reduced threat of Japanese fighters, the U.S. Navy cut its order, resulting in a brief service career.
The Bearcat did see limited combat with French forces in Indochina but without significant impact. Despite its short military history, its exceptional performance made it a favorite in airshows and racing.

Product details

Author:	David Doyle
Details:	112 pages, 9.25 x 9.25 x 0.75 in (23.5 x 23.5 x 1.9 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	200 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2023)
Series:	Legends of Warfare
ISBN:	9780764367014

Grumman EA-6B Prowler: Flying with the US Navy and Marines Corps (Duke Hawkins)

This beautiful Duke Hawkins photo book extensively presents the Grumman EA-6B Prowler, in service with the US Navy and Marines Corps.
The book contains not only action photos, but also many "walkaround" photos that show details of the aircraft from different angles. to show. Chapters on cockpit, fuselage, armament and maintenance work.

The series "Aircraft in Detail" arose from the collaboration between pilots, aircraft technicians and modellers. This volume (No. 21) on the Grumman EA-6B Prowler is illustrated with a large number of very high quality color photographs, most of which have never been published before.

Product details

Author:	Robert Pied, Nicolas Deboeck
Details:	140 pages, 9 x 9 in (24 x 24 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	many color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	HMH Publications (B, 2021)
Series:	Aircraft in Detail (21)
ISBN:	9782931083116

Grumman F4F Wildcat : Early WWII Fighter of the US Navy (Legends of Warfare)

The F4F and FM Wildcat aircraft was the US Navy's front-line fighter in the early days of WWII. This iconic aircraft was designed and produced by Grumman, as well as the newly-formed Eastern Aircraft Division of General Motors.
As larger and more powerful fighters joined the fleet in the later stages of the war, the Wildcat remained in the fray, flying from the decks of escort carriers, which were too small to permit the operation of the later aircraft.

Pages of the book "Grumman F4F Wildcat : Early WWII Fighter of the US Navy"

The Wildcat was remarkable not only because it served through the duration of the war, but also because it was the mount of some of the nation's most distinguished aces, including Butch O'Hare and Joe Foss. This book is part of the Legends of Warfare series.

Product details

Author:	David Doyle
Details:	112 pages, 9.25 x 9 x 0.71 in (23.5 x 24 x 1.8 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	242 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2017)
Series:	Legends of Warfare
ISBN:	9780764354335

Grumman J2F Duck : US Navy, Marine Corps, Army Air Force, and Coast Guard Use in World War II (Legends of Warfare)

The Grumman J2F Duck formed the backbone of America's over water utility squadrons from 1934 until beyond WWII, setting various aviation records during this service.
A single-engine amphibious aircraft (also produced by Columbia Aircraft), the Duck saw service with the US Navy, Marine Corps, Army Air Force, and Coast Guard in a variety of roles including, reconnaissance, air-sea rescue, scouting/observation, and more.

This volume is profusely illustrated with scarce archival photographs from diverse collections, including previously unpublished images. Part of the Legends of Warfare series.

Product details

Author:	David Doyle
Details:	112 pages, 9.1 x 9.25 x 0.71 in (23 x 23.5 x 1.8 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	230 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2018)
Series:	Legends of Warfare
ISBN:	9780764354489

Grumman TBF / TBM-3 Avenger (Pilot's Flight Operation Instructions)

One of the most legendary naval aircraft of WWII, the Grumman TBF Avenger (and the General Motors-produced TBM) saw action in most of the major battles in the Pacific including Midway and Leyte Gulf.
Armed with a forward machine gun and a second in a dorsal turret, the plane could carry a 21-inch torpedo or four 500-lb. bombs, or a combination thereof.

Avengers are credited with sinking the Japanese superbattleships Musashi and Yamato. A young aviator who would later become President, George H.W. Bush flew a TBF off the carrier USS San Jacinto in 1943-44.

Originally printed by Grumman and the U.S. Navy late in the war, this revised Flight Operating Handbook taught pilots everything they needed to know before entering the cockpit. Classified "Restricted", the manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form.

Product details

Author:	Periscope Film.com
Details:	110 pages, 11 x 8.5 x 0.2 in (28 x 21.5 x 0.5 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	many photos and drawings
Language:	English
Publisher:	Periscope Film (USA, 2006)
Series:	Pilot's Flight Operation Instructions
ISBN:	9781411693876

Night Cats and Corsairs - The Operational History of Grumman and Vought Night Fighter Aircraft, 1942-1953

The threat of enemy aircraft striking American naval forces at night with impunity during World War II led the Navy to seek fighter aircraft capable of stopping this threat.
Trace the history of radar-equipped night fighter aircraft produced for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps by the American aircraft companies Grumman and Vought before the arrival of jets with nocturnal capabilities.

World War II squadrons operated night variants of the Vought F4U-2 Corsair and Grumman F6F-3/5N Hellcat while post-war night fighter units were equipped with the Grumman F7F-3N Tigercat and/or Vought F4U-5N/NL.

"Night Cats and Corsairs" contains never before published color and black and white photographs covering the night variants of the F6F Hellcat, F7F Tigercat, F4U-2 and F4U-5N/NL Corsairs.

Product details

Author:	Alan C. Carey
Details:	216 pages, 10.8 x 8.25 x 0.91 in (27.5 x 21 x 2.3 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	200 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2013)
ISBN:	9780764343735

TBF/TBM Avenger - Grumman's First Torpedo Bomber in World War II (Legends of Warfare)

The Grumman TBF Avenger was the most successful torpedo bomber in the US fleet during WWII. Developed before the US entered the war, it first saw combat at the Battle of Midway. The demand for this versatile carrier-based aircraft, capable of carrying bombs, depth charges, and torpedoes, quickly exceeded Grumman's production capacity.
As a result, General Motors' Eastern Aircraft Division was contracted to build additional units, which were designated TBM. Both the TBF and TBM variants remained in service long after WWII.

This book uses carefully researched, high-quality photographs - many never before published - to provide a detailed history of this iconic aircraft. The images bring the TBF and TBM to life, allowing readers to experience the aircraft's legacy in the skies.

Product details

Author:	David Doyle
Details:	112 pages, 9.1 x 9.1 x 0.71 in (23 x 23 x 1.8 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	175 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2020)
Series:	Legends of Warfare
ISBN:	9780764359392

The Grumman Albatross - A History of the Legendary Seaplane

The Albatross was the premier fixed-wing rescue aircraft for the U.S. Air Force and Coast Guard. Its very colorful history begins in 1946 and spans nearly a quarter of a century, including service with twenty-two foreign nations.
With a total of 466 built by Grumman, more than eighty examples still thrive on the civil register. The Albatross also saw extensive service in the Korean and Vietnam wars.
The fascinating history of this unique aircraft is complemented by over 200 photographs including many in color showing the great variations in color schemes and markings.

Product details

Author:	Wayne Mutza
Details:	128 pages, 11 x 8.7 x 0.43 in (28 x 22 x 1.1 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	over 200 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2004)
ISBN:	9780887409134

Les derniers F6F-5 Hellcat

The Hellcat has always been presented as the "Conqueror of the Pacific"; it is thanks to this aircraft that American pilots were able to defeat the Japanese "Zeroes". This collection will help you understand why.

Grumman engineers have placed particular emphasis on the safety and comfort of the pilots. The various circuits have been doubled. Thus the landing gear can be extended thanks to two hydraulic circuits and a compressed air bottle. The armor is much more important than that of its adversary. The engine is very powerful and robust, its 46 liters of displacement are limited to 2 100 hp; it would have been possible to double this power, but to the detriment of the engine potential, and for maritime overflights you need an engine that "lasts".
The plane is a little heavy but history has shown that it was the right choice.

This beautiful plane unfortunately had many accidents, like all those of its time. Despite this, its performance was comparable to that of the first jet fighters.

Product details

Author:	Max Siffre
Details:	76 pages, 9 x 6.7 x 0.2 in (24 x 17 x 0.5 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	many b&w and color photos
Language:	French
Publisher:	Cépaduès Editions (F, 2009)
ISBN:	9782854288490