Cockpit: The Illustrated History of World War II Aircraft Interiors

This collection of World War II Combat Aircraft cockpit photographs is one of the most interesting books I have seen in a long time. Along with the favourites (the P-51, Spitfire and Corsair), there are some of the more unusual examples such as the Me-410 or the Mitsubishi "Betty". Along with a brief description of the aircraft, there is a pilot's report on the aircraft. The cockpit photographs were taken of museum and flying aircraft, so don't be surprised if you see a Bendix King GPS unit in some of the instrument panels. This book is just about perfect although I have two comments. The first is the inconsistency in the Pilot Reports. Some are from Combat Pilots, others are from people who fly the aircraft in airshows. I would have preferred combat summaries on each aircraft. The second is, and I think this would only be appreciated by someone that has sat in different cockpits, but the relative size of the cockpits has been lost. I am only commenting because I have had the priviledge to sit is some of these aircraft and the differences can be amazing. The relatively cavernous cockpit of the Corsair seems as like a hanger compared to the cramped one of the Spitfire's or the Mustang's. Now, after saying this, I have no idea how this could be conveyed in the photographs, but it was something that I noticed as I read through the book. These comments are just that and this book should be in the Library of anybody fascinated in World War II aircraft.