I must thank Professors Robert J. W. Evans and Sir Hew Strachan for their guidance, perceptive insights, and encouragement.
For his assistance on matters of style and grace, and for excising as many infelicities as possible, I shall always be grateful to my late friend Mr. Rodney Allan.
I could not have completed this book without the assistance of the archivists in Budapest: at the Defense Ministry Archives and Library, Mr. Balázs Kiss and Ms. Judit Hegedűs; at the National Archives, Ms. Ildikó Szerényi and Mr. Ádám Török; at the Transportation Museum and Archives, Mr. Sándor Krizsán. I am especially indebted to Professor Miklós M. Szabó (Lt. Gen., ret.), author of the best works on the Hungarian Air Force. Professor Szabó is a tireless correspondent and made time to meet me in Budapest. That meeting was facilitated by János Isaszegi, PhD (Maj. Gen., ret.), who also helped me with publications from Zrinyi Press. Colonel Greg Clawson and his wife Laura provided amazing hospitality during my trips to Hungary. Professor Eric Weaver of Debrecen University pointed me to critical sources and provided invaluable editorial assistance throughout the project. I thank my extraordinary friends, Szabolcs Takács and Andrea Szentendrei, whose calls and emails on my behalf are the least of their contributions.
The photographs are courtesy of Mr. Péter Zámbori (by way of Dr. Szabó), Mr. Dénes Bernád, various contributors to the Fortepan.hu online collection, and the Norsk Luftfahrtmuseum.
The faculty of the US Air Force School of Advanced Air and Space Studies have such enthusiasm for their work that I was inspired to join them. Professors Tom Hughes, Rich Muller, and Hal Winton have been particularly helpful with the thinking and writing; Professors Steve Chiabotti and Steve Wright and Ms. Sheila McKitt have been wonders of administrative support.
My parents, Gene and Ginny Renner, raised me with a love of reading, which has led indirectly to this project.
Finally, I thank my lovely wife, Jenny. For everything.