Combat Helicopters Since 1942 – Historical Book – Blandford Press from Blandford Press

Description

In the short space of four decades the helicopter has developed from a barely controllable flying oddity into a versatile and highly lethal tactical weapon indispensable to the waging of war on land and sea. The Germans were the first to exploit the military potential of rotary-winged aircraft as early as 1942. From their first uses as a means of extending military man’s limited capabilities for scouting and for reaching the parts other vehicles could not reach they are now arbiters of the battle field. This photo-history traces that evolution and presents all the roles by covering the many conflicts and emergencies in which the ‘chopper’ has been involved.

All helicopter roles are covered – gunships; anti-armor; close-support; casualty-evacuation; anti-submarine warfare; air-sea rescue and aircrew retrieval; airborne early warning; heavy lift; and forward observation liaison. The specialized rocket pods, missiles, ‘gatling’ guns, chain guns, chemical canisters, HE and cluster bombs, mines, torpedoes, sonars, radars and infra-red equipment that can be fitted to helicopters give the modern helicopter fearful versatility.