Jane's All the World's Aircraft
Encyclopedia
Jane's All the World's Aircraft is an aviation
annual publication
founded by Fred T. Jane
in 1909. It is published by Jane's Information Group
.
Jane's All the World's Aircraft has chronicled a century of ever-accelerating aviation progress and recorded the particulars of an unprecedented number of flying machines, using the widest possible interpretation of that phrase, in the most minute detail. Six editors have had the privilege of commenting upon the significant aircraft and events of manned flight since the first edition appeared in November 1909 as All the World's Airships (Aeroplanes and Dirigibles). This first publication was seen as being ahead of its time but even the skeletal book showed the strength of Fred T Jane's standardised approach to data collection. The first edition even carried a pre-addressed return proforma for aviation pioneers to supply the details of new machines.
Besides listing the different types of aircraft by nationality, the first issues covered aerial societies, journals and flying grounds and cost just 21 shillings
(£1.05). Jane himself had a desire to fly and he was nearly killed doing so in 1909 whilst attempting a flight on Dartmoor
. His aircraft caught fire, but he merely commented that it would be one less machine to include in his forthcoming work. As with Jane's Fighting Ships, Jane received extensive help from enthusiasts worldwide, including Louis Blériot
, A.V. Roe
and Prince Heinrich of Prussia
.
Jane censored the 1914 issue, which was published just after the outbreak of the First World War, blacking out whole sections describing British equipment and organisation. He noted in it that, for all practical purposes, aircraft have no more to do with peace than submarines. The work's accuracy helped morale by dispelling alarmist rumours about imminent German air raids, showing that the Germans did not possess anything but the smallest fleet of airships. Respect for the accuracy of Jane's All the World's Aircraft transcended political enmities. Cold War
notwithstanding, Soviet
authorities supplied Jane's with information. Such was the technical reference book's reputation that Argentina
even provided details of its aircraft during the Falkland's Conflict
in 1982. Altogether, there have been only 97 editions, mainly due to disruptions during the two World Wars.
2009 was the 100th Year of Jane's All the World's Aircraft.
had joined him as editor, and was the main editor of the 1945 edition. In the 70's and 80's John W. R. Taylor
was the chief editor, with Bridgman as assistant editor. Paul Jackson, the current editor, took over as Editor in 1995.
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
annual publication
Annual publication
An annual publication, more often called simply an annual, is a book or a magazine, comic book or comic strip published yearly. For example, a weekly or monthly publication may produce an Annual featuring similar materials to the regular publication....
founded by Fred T. Jane
Fred T. Jane
John Fredrick Thomas Jane was the founding editor of reference books on warships and aircraft . He also once kidnapped Victor Grayson MP in a political stunt....
in 1909. It is published by Jane's Information Group
Jane's Information Group
Jane's Information Group is a publishing company specializing in transportation and military topics.-History:It was founded by Fred T...
.
Jane's All the World's Aircraft has chronicled a century of ever-accelerating aviation progress and recorded the particulars of an unprecedented number of flying machines, using the widest possible interpretation of that phrase, in the most minute detail. Six editors have had the privilege of commenting upon the significant aircraft and events of manned flight since the first edition appeared in November 1909 as All the World's Airships (Aeroplanes and Dirigibles). This first publication was seen as being ahead of its time but even the skeletal book showed the strength of Fred T Jane's standardised approach to data collection. The first edition even carried a pre-addressed return proforma for aviation pioneers to supply the details of new machines.
Besides listing the different types of aircraft by nationality, the first issues covered aerial societies, journals and flying grounds and cost just 21 shillings
Guinea (British coin)
The guinea is a coin that was minted in the Kingdom of England and later in the Kingdom of Great Britain and the United Kingdom between 1663 and 1813...
(£1.05). Jane himself had a desire to fly and he was nearly killed doing so in 1909 whilst attempting a flight on Dartmoor
Dartmoor
Dartmoor is an area of moorland in south Devon, England. Protected by National Park status, it covers .The granite upland dates from the Carboniferous period of geological history. The moorland is capped with many exposed granite hilltops known as tors, providing habitats for Dartmoor wildlife. The...
. His aircraft caught fire, but he merely commented that it would be one less machine to include in his forthcoming work. As with Jane's Fighting Ships, Jane received extensive help from enthusiasts worldwide, including Louis Blériot
Louis Blériot
Louis Charles Joseph Blériot was a French aviator, inventor and engineer. In 1909 he completed the first flight across a large body of water in a heavier-than-air craft, when he crossed the English Channel. For this achievement, he received a prize of £1,000...
, A.V. Roe
Alliott Verdon Roe
Sir Edwin Alliott Verdon Roe OBE, FRAeS was a pioneer English pilot and aircraft manufacturer, and founder in 1910 of the Avro company...
and Prince Heinrich of Prussia
Prince Heinrich of Prussia
Prince Henry of Prussia was a younger brother of German Emperor William II and a Prince of Prussia...
.
Jane censored the 1914 issue, which was published just after the outbreak of the First World War, blacking out whole sections describing British equipment and organisation. He noted in it that, for all practical purposes, aircraft have no more to do with peace than submarines. The work's accuracy helped morale by dispelling alarmist rumours about imminent German air raids, showing that the Germans did not possess anything but the smallest fleet of airships. Respect for the accuracy of Jane's All the World's Aircraft transcended political enmities. Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
notwithstanding, Soviet
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
authorities supplied Jane's with information. Such was the technical reference book's reputation that Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
even provided details of its aircraft during the Falkland's Conflict
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
in 1982. Altogether, there have been only 97 editions, mainly due to disruptions during the two World Wars.
2009 was the 100th Year of Jane's All the World's Aircraft.
Editors
The 1919 edition was edited by C. G. Grey. By 1938, Leonard BridgmanLeonard Bridgman
Leonard Bridgman was the editor of Jane's All the World's Aircraft from 1941 to 1959.-First assignment:Bridgman's first assignment in aviation was in 1913, aged 18, when one of his drawings was used to illustrate the Hendon Air Race programme...
had joined him as editor, and was the main editor of the 1945 edition. In the 70's and 80's John W. R. Taylor
John W. R. Taylor
John William Ransom Taylor was a British aviation expert and editor. He edited Jane's All the World's Aircraft for three decades during the Cold War...
was the chief editor, with Bridgman as assistant editor. Paul Jackson, the current editor, took over as Editor in 1995.
- Fred T Jane, founding editor, 1909-1915
- C G Grey, 1916-1940
- Leonard Bridgman, 1941-1959
- John W R Taylor, 1960-1989
- Mark Lambert, 1990-1994
- Paul Jackson, 1995-present