49th Fighter Group

William Hess is the official historian for the American Fighter Aces Association, and is one of the most highly respected aviation writers of his generation. A B-17 crewman during World War 2, Hess has written over 40 books during his long and distinguished career. An airbrush artist with years of experience, Chris Davey has become Osprey's principal illustrator of RAF aircraft, having produced the profiles for over a dozen books since 1994. His most recent work includes Aircraft of the Aces 38: 'Tomahawk and Kittyhawk Aces of the RAF and Commonwealth' and Combat Aircraft 31: 'Lancaster Squadrons 1942-43.' He is particularly adept at 'big' aircraft like the Halifax and Sunderland.