As soon as the first aeroplane had proved its value in war it became a target, and the fighter pilot was born. This book tells the story of the men and the aircraft in which they fought, from the rudimentary beginnings of tactics to the sophisticated technology of the present day. Using diagrammatic paintings and pinpoint line artwork, the author illustrates the often complex manoeuvres of air combat, and tells the stories of fighter aces such as Baron von Richthofen, Albert Ball, Saburo Sakai, "Sailor" Malan and Joseph McConnell. The book includes strategy and tactics from World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Falklands and the Gulf.