The book, Aircraft Profile:  Avro Manchester (# 260) is part of a series of Profile Publications centered on chronicling the development and use of ground-breaking or interesting aircraft during the 20th century.  "Aircraft Profile: Avro Manchester (# 260)" tells the interesting story of the development and use of the Avro Manchester from late 1940 through 1942.  The Avro Manchester was designed to be a twin-engine heavy bomber for the Royal Air Force Bomber Command but was compromised from the very beginning by underpowered and unreliable engines.  While the Manchester was called upon by the British Royal Air Force to bomb targets in occupied Europe during World War II, it was ultimately retired early in the war from active front-line units.  The Avro Manchester was, however, an important stepping-stone to the development of the four-engine Avro Lancaster heavy bomber used so successfully later in the war.  A little over 200 Avro Manchester's were produced during the 1941 - 1941 timeframe before manufacturing ceased.  In addition to the Royal Air Force, the Avro Manchester was also flown by units of the Royal Canadian Air Force during the war.  The major sections of "Aircraft Profile: Avro Manchester (# 260)" are as follows: 1) Introduction; 2) Manchester prototypes; 3) Manchester Mk. 1 A; 4) Peak -- And Swan Song; 5) The Victoria Cross Manchester; 6) More 1,000-bomber raids and 7) Epilogue.  In addition to an informative narrative, "Aircraft Profile: Avro Manchester (# 260)" includes the following features: 1) 36 vintage black and white photographs; 2) 2 black and white illustrations; 3) 5 color illustrations; 4) 3 color side aircraft profile illustrations and 5) 1 five-view color aircraft profile illustration of Avro Manchester (L 7319 "EM-S") of No. 207 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Waddington, Lincolnshire.  "Aircraft Profile: Avro Manchester (# 260)" is sure to appeal to both aviation enthusiasts and modelers alike. This book is 23 pages and is in very good condition.  The author is Chaz Bowyer.  Edition published in March 1974.