RAPID FIRE: THE DEVELOPMENT OF AUTOMATIC CANNON, HEAVY MACHINE GUNS AND THEIR AMMUNITION FOR ARMIES, NAVIES AND AIR FORCES.

Shrewsbury: Airlife, 2000. 297 pp, 10" H. Profusely illustrated in b&w and colour with photographs, technical drawings. "(A) comprehensive account of the development and use of heavy machine guns, automatic cannon and their ammunition. (This book) covers weapons (12.7-57mm plus a few others) developed in every nation throughout the 20th century, whether used by armies, navies or air forces. (It) is concerned with the history of these weapons and their ammunition (and) contains tabulated data for them, as well as a cartridge identification guide. The author also gives an understanding of the factors which have influenced both the designers of the weapons and the military procurement authorities which acquired them. Emphasis is very much on weapons which saw service, but some important experimental types, and some recent developments which have yet to be adopted, are included. Developments in gunsights and fire control and their effect on the accuracy of aircraft and AA fire are described. The problems experienced in mounting heavy guns in aircraft, and the effectiveness of the armament choices made by warring powers, are covered in detail. Armour penetration and the current calibre war amongst light armoured fighting vehicles are examined. There is also an appendix on anti-tank rifles which gives comprehensive coverage of these weapons, their ammunition and their usefulness, together with information about modern heavy rifles." Book has cigarette odour, previos owner's ink notation at the top corner of the free front endpaper, slight bump at the bottom of the spine. Dust jacket has very light browning at the top edge and at the top 1/3 rd of the spine, very light wrinkling at the bottom of the spine.. Not Signed. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good.