The Illustrated History of Helicopters by Michael Heatley

The Illustrated History of Helicopters

by Michael Heatley

Bison Books, 1985, [First Edition], ISBN 0861242327, colour and black and white photographs throughout, colour photographic title and introductory pages, large hardcover, dustjacket

Very Good Condition, minor edge and shelf wear, minor rubbing and bumping to edges and corners, previous owners’ bookplates x2 on front endpaper, dustjacket shows minor edge and shelf wear with minor rubbing and bumping to edges and corners (see photographs)

“Helicopters are such a familiar part of modern life that it is easy to forget how rapid had been their spread and development.  Although the idea of the helicopter can certainly be traced back to Leonardo da Vinci, it was not until the 1930s that the first practical examples were built.  At the start of World War II, the helicopter speed record was some 70mph and the distance record was a mere 143 miles.  Today’s military attack helicopters can attain 200mph while civil and military machines can lift payloads up to 50,000 pounds or have operational specialties ranging from supplying offshore oil rigs in some of the most testing weather conditions to low altitude ‘nap of the earth’ flying in sophisticated combat roles….”