Technical Books > Planes & Trains

A veritable 'tour de force' of authentic steam railway action in colour. The late Derek Cross was a British geologist and keen steam railway enthusiast who visited New Zealand in the 1950s. Many of his black and white photos from his travels around New Zealand have been published in books and magazines, but only a small number of his colour slides have been seen before. This book contains 380 out of the approx 900 slides he took, organised geographically from north to south, and nearly all of them are hitherto unseen. All are rep... read more

The development of Russian military aviation did not end with the collapse of Communism. The Su-27 has seen considerable upgrading in recent years. In effect, all versions of the Su-27 Flanker from the Su-27M onwards can be regarded as a new generation of combat aircraft -- by Russian standards. The book describes how the Sukhoi Company strives to make the most of a good design, adapting it to today's changing requirements by integrating new weapons and state-of-the-art avionics. First published 2001.

It is difficult to overestimate the excitement that accompanied the birth of the Spitfire. An aircraft imbued with balletic grace and extraordinary versatility, it was powered by a piston engine and a propeller, yet came tantalisingly close to breaking the sound barrier. First flown in 1936, the Spitfire soon came to symbolize Britain's defiance of Nazi Germany in the summer of 1940. Flown by pilots of many nations, it saw service as far afield as Australia and the Soviet Union. Spitfire: The Biography is a celebration of a grea... read more

An exhilarating and highly personal story of flight by the world-famous adventurer and businessman. "As far back as stories go, pioneers have reached for the skies. In the last two hundred years, they have mastered the air and made the modern world possible. Today they are bringing outer space within our reach. They're inventors and toymakers, amateurs and adventurers, visionaries, dreamers and, yes, crackpots. Some have called them irresponsible, even dangerous. But I have met many of them. I have worked with them, and fund... read more

Return To Flight is a Spitfire enthusiasts dream. It covers the people associated with the Spitfire; the history of Spitfire PV270; the career of New Zealand Spitfire Ace, Al Deere; and the experiences of the pilots who flew these fighter planes. It also includes a detailed look at the first restoration of a Spitfire PV270 in New Zealand and photographs of it in action. 304 pages 372 colour & 121 b/w illustrations

Jim Shaughnessy is a revered name among railway photographers. This collection, the best of his work over a forty-year career, features photographs taken between 1946 and 1988, with an emphasis on the American railroad culture of the fifties and sixties. Jeff Brouws - a railway authority and photo historian - has contributed a biographical essay that traces Shaughnessy's beginnings photographing steam locomotives in Troy, New York, to his documentation of the dramatic steam-to-diesel transition, with an emphasis on the northeastern... read more

This work is aimed at private helicopter pilots, aircraft maintenance personnel, aviation enthusiasts, and commercial and military pilots. Case studies and first-hand accident accounts flesh out the descriptions and make for fascinating reading. It also features detailed examples of accident causes. Acquire the Life-Saving Skills Needed to Eliminate or Reduce Most Helicopter Accidents A vital resource for pilots, helicopter enthusiasts, and aircraft maintenance technicians, "Fatal Traps for Helicopter Pilots" analyzes all as... read more

The fifth edition of the bestselling guide to the world's aircraft Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide is the only guide that allows the general public access to information from the world-famous Jane's All the World's Aircraft (first published in 1909), used by international aviation and military organisations and professionals. This revised and fully up-to-date edition is jam-packed with colour photographs and technical data to reflect recent developments in the aviation industry. This edition includes a complete list of interna... read more

The biannual Warbirds over Wanaka airshow attracts up to 100,000 visitors every two years. An idea originated by pioneer Tim Wallis, the show is world-renowned and as a consequence attracts pilots and their aircraft and visitors with an interest in aviation, military history, machinery of old from all over the world.This book is the official record of the events at the show, both those on the ground and in the air. The photographers are experienced in their chosen fields, whether it be photographing aircraft on the ground, in the a... read more

The New Zealand National Airways Corporation (NAC) was created by the post-war Labour Government nationalising all private airlines and forming the first State-owned Enterprise. During its 31 years of operation NAC was New Zealand's major domestic airline until it was merged with Air New Zealand in 1978. In its early years it also flew international routes in the South Pacific. First published March 2007.

Captures the thrill and excitement of the 4-day airshow. Spectacular aircraft come from all over the world to perform amazing aerial feats at one of the world's largest historical airshows. First published October 2008.