Synopses & Reviews
This first-of-its-kind, definitive book offers a fascinating textual and visual tour of civilian, military, and commercial aviation from the earliest balloon flights to today's most advanced aircraft.
Featuring 100 newly commissioned and historic maps as well as 200 related photographs, navigation charts, and historic artifacts, the Smithsonian Atlas of World Aviation charts the awe-inspiring history of flight around the world. Dana Bell, a leading expert on aviation history, explains the fascinating stories behind aviation's great technological advances and provides historic and social context that highlights the many ways in which these advances have changed the course of human history.
Groundbreaking maps and charts include:
- Locations of first flights and early transatlantic flights
- Pan American Airways international mail and passenger routes
- Air sequences of the Battle of Britain, Battle of the Bulge, and Berlin Airlift
- Modern-day flight charts, national aircraft markings, and civil aviation codes
History's greatest aviation achievements come alive as never before through detailed visualization and compelling narrative. A must-have for all flight and history enthusiasts.
About the Author
Dana Bell is a leading expert on the history of aviation. Now retired after thirty years with the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, he was formerly Technical Information Specialist at the NASM Archives and also worked at the U.S. Air Force Still Photo Depository. He is the author of more than twenty books on aviation subjects, including At the Controls; Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Directory of Airplanes; and One Hundred Years of World Military Aircraft.