Heinkel He 177 Greif (9781903223932)

Heinkel He 177 Greif (9781903223932)

Heinkel's Strategic Bomber
by J. Richard Smith, Eddie J. Creek, Hardcover, 208 Pages, Published 2009 by Classics Publications.
The He177 was a formidable warplane with the potential to have been a lethal weapon for the Nazis. Unfortunately, it was ill-fated and suffered from serious problems such as an inherently poor engine design and 'knee-jerk' role diversification by the commanders in charge. Furthermore, the aircraft's development and testing was crucially damaged by the turbulent political environment of the day. Nazi leadership agonised over the aircraft's delay and deployment, and so the aircraft which enticed thousands with its daring potential, sadly failed to reach these standards.Nevertheless, the He177 was a remarkable warplane which adopted several different roles at various stages of its development. It was considered an excellent dive-bomber and strategic bomber, with the capabilities of an anti-shipping aircraft and transport and tank-destroyer. In this extensively researched new study, accomplished authors Richard Smith and Eddie Creek endeavour to shed new light on this sometimes overlooked aircraft and its unique service history. With a carefully selected collection of photographs and drawings which supplement the informative narrative, they have succeeded in producing a masterpiece which will be essential reading for all military and social historians of this period, as well as modellers keen to recreate this exceptional warplane.