Weapons and Warfare

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Purnell's illustrated encyclopedia of modern Weapons and Warfare is a partwork originating with Purnell in 1967-1969, republished under the Phoebus brand.

Its contributors and editors included Bill Gunston (aviation), Ian V. Hogg (land weapons), John Batchelor (illustrations) and editor Bernard Fitzsimons. The quality of these lead contributors ensured high quality and accuracy in the finished product.

The publication covers the twentieth century to publication, in alphabetical order, in 125 volumes. Levels of detail varied from a short paragraph such as that below, to several pages of technical and operational analysis.

X-7, Ruhrstahl

German antitant missile. X-7 was originally intended as a successor to the X-4 in the air-to-air role, using a two-stage solid propellant rocket in place of the BMW 109-448 and only a single spolier for steering. The project was later taken over by the German army as an antitant weapon fitted with a hollow-charge warhead able to penetrate more than 200 mm (7.9in) of armour at ain incidence angle of 30°. X-7 did not become operational.

Weight: 10 kg (22 lb) Speed: 100 m/s (330 ft/s) Range: 1000 m (1100 yards)

In addition to the main content there were a number of John Batchelor posters and other promotional offers.