Books by William Wolf

'Off Target' relates in detail the then "Secret" research, development, and combat employment of these early guided bombs, missiles, and drones from 1917 to 1948. Using formerly Secret/Confidential manuals, reports, microfilm print outs, and photos, author Wolf, gives the air war historian and enthusiast an in depth look at this unknown topic.

In 1935, the intent of the Army Air Corps was to build a potential intercontinental bomber, a “Guardian of the Hemisphere”; they granted Donald Douglas a contract to build the world’s largest bomber. Over the past 75 years, there have only been a few magazine articles on the gigantic Douglas XB-19 bomber, usually showing it in photos dwarfing the aircraft around it. Since the XB-19 project was top secret and there was only one example, there is little information remaining for researchers. William Wolf presents this enigmatic bomber, a “Flying Laboratory” that was the precursor to America’s first intercontinental bomber, the Continental B-36 Peacemaker. Wolf has used original Douglas and Army Air Force documents and very rare (as few were needed for one bomber) Erection & Maintenance Manuals in this history, which also includes never-seen-before photos and color profiles. This volume is a must for the aviation historian, enthusiast, and modeler.

Lost in the air combat and air ace fanfare of World War II was the dangerous, unheralded and vital role played by USAAF fighter-bomber pilots over the Mediterranean and northwest Europe. Four times as many pilots were lost during strafing and ground attack sorties than were lost against the Luftwaffe in aerial combat. This extensive book is the first in-depth examination of American air-to-ground attack and explores numerous aspects of the subject. The three priorities of the fighter-bomber air superiority, interdiction and close air support along with combat reports and pilot narratives are put into the context of the various ground operations. The fighter-bomber pilot risked his life every day against the thickest flak in the war to deprive the enemy of vital reinforcements and supplies, altering his strategy and movement.

In the savage air combat over Guadalcanal and then the equally bloody air battles up Solomon chain, New Georgia and Bougainville, 13th Fighter Command took a back seat to Marine aviation in personnel, equipment, supply, operations, and publicity.

In Volume 2, of a planned three-volume set, the author continues his definitive history of the 5th Fighter Command combining grand world strategy and Pacific strategy with subsequent land and air campaigns. This book describes the 5FC as it continues on the offensive after the reduction of Rabaul in November 1943 and then decimates Japanese air power over western New Guinea, and on its approach to the Philippines. The final destruction of Japanese air and ground forces during the Philippines' Campaigns until V-J Day concludes this ultimate chronicle of the Fifth Fighter Command making this history a must for every World War II aviation enthusiast. Volume three will cover: 5FC vs. Japan: Aces, Units, Aircraft, and Tactics.

Following his previous Ultimate Look volumes on the B-29, B-32, B-18, and B-25, and volumes one and two in this series, Wolf continues his definitive history of U.S. aerial armament in World War II. Drawing from his extensive library, microfilm archives, and technical manuals Wolf covers: Dive Bombers, Fighter Bombers, Rockets, Napalm, Torpedoes, Depth Charges, Aerial Mines, GT-1 Glide Pattern Torpedo, Speedee Bomb, Hydrobomb, Disney Rocket-Assisted Bomb, Very Heavy Conventional Bombs, Atomic Bomb, Poison Gas and Biological Bombs, Leaflets, Animal Aerial Weapons. There is an extensive chapter on guided missiles including GB (Glide Bomb) Series, VB (Vertical Bomb) Series, Drones (Aphrodite, Anvil, Castor, Willie Orphan, XBQ-1/2/3 and PQ Series, and USN TDR drones), SWOD (Special Weapons Ordnance Device) Series (Robin, Pelican, Moth, and Bat/SWOD Mk9), Glomb, Gargoyle, Gorgon, JB: Jet Bomb Series (JB-1 through 10).

Over the years the B-32 has been described only in a small number of magazine articles and in a booklet that have generally given a superficial and incomplete account, maligning the bomber, fairly or not, as a mediocre design besieged with developmental problems and a lackluster combat record. Consolidated B-32 Dominator - The Ultimate Look: from Drawing Board to Scrapyard is the definitive description and appraisal of this neglected bombers development, testing, manufacture, and combat experience. The author used company design and production information, flight and test evaluations, along with previously unexplored Flight Manuals and Consolidated-Vultee Erection and Maintenance Manuals. From rare microfilm of original material and insights and personal narratives of the personnel involved, Wolf has gathered information on the pre-combat testing and all the combat missions of the bomber in the Pacific.