Commissioning Editor Tony Holmes takes us through what we can expect from the long-running Combat Aircraft series in 2026.

 There is plenty to look forward to from the Combat Aircraft series as it approaches 30 years since the first title was released in the spring of 1997. Seven books are planned for release in 2026, with four of them covering Luftwaffe subject matter – the interest in German World War 2 aviation shows no sign of diminishing. RAF enthusiasts will also be well served with new releases thanks to titles on Mosquito Units in the Far East (which also covers RAAF operations with the elegannt de Havilland aircraft) and Lightning Units of the Cold War. Finally, an unsung warrior of the latter, undeclared, conflict is also the subject of the seventh Combat Aircraft title of 2026, the Boeing B-47 Stratojet being Strategic Air Command’s first truly effective multi-engined jet bomber.

 

Heinkel He 219 Units

Martin Streetly, Gareth Hector, Janusz Światłoń

29/01/2026

An illustrated study of the famous Heinkel He 219 – the Luftwaffe's only operational purpose-built nightfighter – and its role in the bitterly contested nocturnal defence of the Reich.

Originally conceived as a high-performance reconnaissance aircraft, the Heinkel He 219 went on to become the Luftwaffe’s only operational purpose-built nightfighter. Despite its many sterling qualities (including ejector seats for its two crewmen), the type’s production was bedevilled by political manoeuvring. Consequently, it was only used in strength by one unit – the Luftwaffe’s Nachtjagdgeschwader 1.

In this volume, respected historian Martin Streetly examines the development of the He 219, from its origins through to its operational service against the RAF’s ever-more destructive night offensive. First-hand accounts from Nachtjagdverband crew shed light on the He 219’s successes and failures in battle, while archive photographs and newly commissioned artwork demonstrate the unique design and technology of this near-legendary aircraft.

 

Fw 190 Jabo Units in the West

Malcolm V Lowe, Gareth Hector, Jim Laurier

26/02/2026

An illustrated study of the Luftwaffe’s iconic Fw 190 Jabo units and their high-speed, low-level attacks on the south coast of England and in opposition to D-Day.

The service debut of the Fw 190 in the late summer of 1941 marked a quantum leap in the Luftwaffe’s capability to oppose the RAF on the Channel Front. Conceived to be purely a fighter, the type soon revealed its potential as a Jabo fighter-bomber, and it quickly matured into a highly effective ‘hit-and-run’ coastal raider as it took over the role from the Bf 109F Jabo. This progress was aided both by frequent refinements from Focke-Wulf and the development of sub-types designed specifically for air-to-ground operations, equipping the aircraft to deliver useful munitions loads and also to look after itself when meeting British fighter interception.

This engaging study sees Luftwaffe historian Malcolm V Lowe chart the action-packed history of the Fw 190 Jabo force on the Channel Front. Following the aircraft from its origins to its successful strikes on valued targets on England’s south coast and eventual combat following the D-Day landings of June 1944, the text complements first-hand accounts from both Luftwaffe pilots and their RAF opponents with photographs from private archives and 22 specially commissioned profile artworks.

 

Junkers Ju 88C Day and Nightfighters

Chris Goss, Gareth Hector, Janusz Światłoń

23/04/2026

An illustrated account of the action-packed combat missions carried out by the Luftwaffe’s powerfully armed Junkers Ju 88C day and nightfighters.

The Junkers Ju 88A was the Luftwaffe’s most effective medium bomber for much of World War 2, and its high speed and surprising agility made it an ideal candidate for conversion into a Zerstörer (destroyer) fighter. Initially designed to be used as a long-range bomber escort, the solid-nosed Ju 88C fighter boasted powerful cannon that meant the aircraft was ideally suited to the nightfighter role. Its unrivalled endurance also allowed the Ju 88C to undertake sweeps of the Bay of Biscay from airfields on the French Atlantic coast in search of Allied maritime patrol aircraft hunting U-boats.

Luftwaffe historian Chris Goss details the action-packed service history of the Ju 88C through first-hand accounts and combat reports from the crews that flew the twin-engined Zerstörer. Newly commissioned profile artworks and more than 50 photographs of aircraft and crews help reveal the aircraft’s conversion from a fast bomber into a deadly heavy fighter that proved to be the scourge of Allied bomber and patrol aircraft alike.

 

Fw 190 Schlacht Units

Robert Forsyth, Gareth Hector, Janusz Światłoń

30/07/2026

An illustrated account of the Fw 190 ‘tank-buster’ and its operations on the Eastern, Western and Mediterranean Fronts from 1942–45.

The Fw 190 offered the Luftwaffe a reliable successor to the iconic Ju 87 Stuka, for the aircraft was able to operate from primitive forward airfields in both the freezing winters of the Soviet Union and the desert heat of North Africa. Converted by Focke-Wulf from a radial-engined fighter into a deadly fighter-bomber and ground-attack aircraft, it used its aerial gun platform, wide-tracked undercarriage and powerful BMW engine to devastating effect on the Eastern, Western and Mediterranean Fronts between 1942–45.

In this new study, leading Luftwaffe historian Robert Forsyth examines all aspects of the Fw 190 and its career as a ‘tank-buster’, detailing the considerable damage it wrought upon Allied armour, troop concentrations, bridges and road junctions. First-hand accounts from Schlachtflieger  bring to life the operational and tactical histories of the aircraft, and are complemented by archive photos and newly commissioned artwork that vividly demonstrate the Fw 190’s use by Schlachtgeschwadern.

 

Mosquitos Units in the Far East

Jeremy Walsh, Gareth Hector, Janusz Światłoń

27/08/2026

An illustrated history of the remarkable de Havilland Mosquito, from its unusual design and construction through to its pivotal actions the Far East.

Mosquitos operated by the RAF and RAAF played an important role in forcing the Japanese retreat from Burma and the Far East in the final years of World War 2. Combining innovative composite-wood construction, world-class performance and beautifully balanced handling, the ‘Mossie’ excelled in intruder/strike and long-range photo-reconnaissance roles, despite its vulnerability to the hot, humid climate and challenging weather conditions. Moreover, Mosquito crews undertook their missions with great skill and determination, whether skimming over the jungle targeting supply lines, attacking of artillery emplacements, denying airspace to the Japanese or identifying the enemy’s command centres.

In this new study, Mosquito specialist Jeremy Walsh (whose father flew the aircraft in the Far East in 1944–45) reviews the type’s background, its operational history across both RAF and RAAF squadrons in the Far East and its contribution to Allied success in this often ‘forgotten’ theatre. Accounts from aircrew bring first-hand perspectives to the story, while archive photographs and 22 newly commissioned aircraft profiles bring Mosquito operations to life.

 

B-47 Stratojet Units of the Cold War

C Mike Habermehl, Gareth Hector, Jim Laurier

22/10/2026

An illustrated account of the development and operations of the B-47 Stratojet, one of the most influential aircraft of the Cold War.

The B-47 Stratojet was the most numerous jet bomber to ever serve with the US Air Force’s Strategic Air Command (SAC), being arguably Boeing’s most significant aircraft. Initially plagued by design and production problems, it eventually proved itself to be a capable medium-range bomber, an influential testbed and an effective reconnaissance platform, paving the way for the successes of the long-lived B-52 Startofortress and the KC-135 Startotanker that followed. The Stratojet also provided SAC with lessons – sometimes at the cost of lives – that moved operations such as aerial refuelling, combat tactics, global reconnaissance and strategic deterrence from the glacial pace of World War 2 into the jet age of the Cold War.

This detailed new study sees Stratojet expert C Mike Habermehl draw upon more than 50 years of research to assemble a complete operational history of the B-47 in all of its roles. First-hand accounts, archive photographs and profile artwork are combined with SAC correspondence, documents and manuals to bring to life the fascinating story of this profoundly influential aircraft.

 

RAF Lightning Units of the Cold War

Michael Napier, Gareth Hector, Janusz Światłoń

19/11/2026

An illustrated study of the Lightning interceptor and its eventful operational history as one of the RAF’s most effective aircraft of the Cold War era.

The Mach 2-capable English Electric Lightning is perhaps the most iconic RAF aeroplane of the Cold War. Boasting a massive increase in performance and improved radar and weapons systems over its predecessors, the Lightning brought new capabilities to the RAF’s air defences. Tactics were adapted to fit the aircraft, including incorporating air-to-air refuelling as a routine part of operations because of the Lightning’s notoriously short range.

Retired fighter pilot Mike Napier draws on first-hand accounts from RAF aviators to tell the story of Britain’s ultimate Cold War jet fighter. Covering everything from the aircraft’s exercises with other NATO air forces to its interception of Soviet long-range ‘Badger’ and ‘Bear’ bombers in the late 1960s, this volume complements the aircraft’s colourful operational history with 20 profile artworks and photography from both official and personal archives.