Osprey Publishing

Osprey Publishing produces military history books, including titles about naval aviation, aircraft carriers and military operations. Based in Oxford, United Kingdom, the publisher is part of Bloomsbury Publishing plc. Its aviation subjects include US Navy aircraft carriers and US Air Force Special Operations Forces. Readers can explore individual aircraft classes, naval campaigns and the development of military aviation through illustrated historical studies.

Aviation and Aircraft Carrier Books

Aircraft carriers are a major subject in Osprey's aviation book selection. Its titles cover different classes of US Navy carriers and their roles across several periods of military history.

Books listed by the publisher include:

• US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1922-45
• US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45
• Lexington-Class Aircraft Carriers 1927-46
• Essex-Class Aircraft Carriers 1945-91
• Midway-Class Aircraft Carriers 1945-92
• US Air Force Special Operations Forces

These titles give readers different ways to study military aviation. Some focus on particular carrier classes, while others cover wider periods of naval aviation history. The selection also includes subjects connected to air force operations.

The Lexington Class Aircraft Carriers

One illustrated Osprey study examines the Lexington class, the US Navy's first fleet carriers. Lexington and Saratoga began as part of a group of six battlecruisers ordered in 1916.

The ships were laid down in 1920 and 1921. The Washington Naval Treaty changed their future, but permission to convert some hulls into aircraft carriers saved Lexington and Saratoga.

When completed, they were the largest aircraft carriers in existence. They carried large air groups and helped establish a flight deck design used on later carriers.

Lexington took part in carrier raids in early 1942 before sinking at the Battle of the Coral Sea. Saratoga served in Pacific campaigns and helped develop night carrier operations in 1944 and 1945.

The book follows these ships from their original battlecruiser designs through their service during World War II.

Military History Beyond Aviation

Osprey also publishes military history covering ships, armies and campaigns outside aviation. Listed subjects include the US Navy Pacific Fleet in 1941 and 1942 and the Royal Navy Task Force during the Falklands conflict in 1982.

Its catalogue also includes military games, with titles such as Bolt Action and Oathmark.

This gives readers access to both aviation history and other military subjects within the same publishing catalogue.

Part of Bloomsbury Publishing

Osprey Publishing and Osprey Games belong to Bloomsbury Publishing plc. Bloomsbury was established in 1986 and publishes books across several fields, including fiction, academic subjects and children's literature.

Osprey also invites readers to suggest future titles and vote for their favourites through a monthly book vote.

For pilots and aviation enthusiasts interested in military aircraft, Osprey provides books on carrier operations, naval aviation history and air force subjects. Its illustrated studies are particularly relevant to readers who want to understand how military aviation developed.