In the history of aviation, World War II represents a classic period in the refinement and perfection of the propeller driven military flying machine.  The twelve aircraft featured in this book, designed, tested and built amidst the urgency of war as formidable weapons of destruction were also the at the zenith of modern technology up to that point.  Included in this massive book which is actually a compendeum of twelve previously published individual volumes are complete specifications and performance figures, the narratives of the pilots who flew them all complemented by beautiful, detailed and often "huge" illustrations.  The many illustrations include: 1) General View; 2) Cutaway; 3) Engine; 4) Cockpit layout; 5) Engine Cutaway; 6) Armament set-up; 9) Fire arcs; 10) Electrical & mechanical configurations and 11) multiple camouflage schemes.  This book is 643 pages and is in excellent condiotion.  The authors are Jeffrey L. Ethell, David A. Anderton, Bill Sweetman, Roger Freeman, Robert C. Mikesh, Frederick A Johnson, Alex Vanags-Baginski and Robert Grinsell with Rikyu Watanabe (illustrations).  Eidtion published in 1996.