Let's Get to Know the "History of Turkish Air Warfare Industry" Book
In this edition, two additional topics have been included; the lives and work of Mr. Nuri Killigil and Mr. Şakir Zümre. Another important improvement is the expansion of the section on UAVs and the Conclusion.
Author Osman YALÇIN presents the expanded fourth edition of this reference work on the history of the Turkish air warfare industry to the Turkish reader. The book, which was first published in 2009, is an important reference document that describes the developments in the Turkish air warfare industry for more than 100 years in the most comprehensive way.
Who is the author Osman YALÇIN?
The author of this valuable work, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Osman YALÇIN was born in 1971 in Anamur, Dereköy. In 1990, he graduated from the Air Technical Schools Command and served at various levels of the Turkish Air Force, working in the supply class for 17 years. He holds degrees in history and economics from Anadolu University. He received his first master's degree from Gazi University in 2004 with a thesis on the "History of Air Force Organization" and his second master's degree in international relations from Ufuk University in 2007. He completed his PhD at Gazi University in 2008 with the thesis "History of Turkish Air Warfare Industry". Between 2007 and 2010, he worked as a history officer at the Air Force Headquarters and pioneered studies to make important events and developments in the glorious history of the Air Force more known. In 2010, YALÇIN was appointed as a lecturer at the Air Force Academy and retired from the Turkish Armed Forces on August 30, 2018. In 2019, he was awarded the title of associate professor.
How and Why Was the History of the Turkish Air Warfare Industry Written?
In his book, the author answers this question as follows:
"This study on the History of the Turkish Air Warfare Industry was worked on as a doctoral thesis under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Mustafa Turan, Head of Gazi University History Department, and was accepted by the jury on July 23, 2008, following its completion with the contributions of my esteemed instructor. Today, it is open to public access among the theses in YÖK. Subsequently, the first edition was published in 2009 by the Air Force Command with the directive and foreword of Air General Aydoğan Babaoğlu, the Commander of the Turkish Air Force at the time, by the Directorate of Air Press and Publications.
In 2010, on the occasion of 2011 being the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish Air Force, it was brought to the agenda that the second edition would be published by Türkiye İş Bankası Kültür Yayınları. The inclusion of the 100th Anniversary Project was realized upon the directive of Air Lieutenant General Abidin Ünal, Chief of Staff at the time, and Air General Hasan Aksay, Commander of the 28th Air Force. With its inclusion in the 100th Anniversary Project, the text of the revised work has been expanded by approximately 30%, the variety of illustrations used has increased, and the appendices have been expanded.
The first edition of the revised and improved work was published in 2013. In 2016, the errors identified for the 2nd edition of the work were corrected, UAVs were briefly covered under the title of New Horizons and Developments, and the Foreword of the then Commander of the Air Force, Air General Abidin Ünal, was included in the work. The third and final edition of the work was published in 2019 without any additions."
What are the Topics Added in the New Edition (4th Edition) of the History of the Turkish Air Warfare Industry?
In the new edition of the work titled Turkish Air Warfare Industry by the author Assoc. Prof. Dr. Osman YALÇIN in Kronik Publications, some updates and additions were made.
The criticisms identified against the work have been examined and those that are considered to be correct have been included in this study. Two additional topics have been included in this edition; the lives and works of Mr. Nuri Killigil and Mr. Şakir Zümre. Another important improvement is the expansion of the section on UAVs and the Conclusion.
Author's Wish May the Turkish-made airplanes be heard
I dedicate my work to our martyrs and veterans who put their lives on the line for our nation to live a life of freedom and dignity, to those who have served Turkish military aviation and the Turkish Air Warfare Industry since its foundation, and to all aviators who have dedicated and will dedicate their hearts to make the Republic of Turkey one of the leading countries in the skies and in space. I ask Almighty Allah to ensure that the sound of Turkish-made aircraft flown by Turkish sons and daughters and the uninterrupted air dominance in the skies of Turkey will not be missing until the end of time.
Conclusion
The fourth edition of the History of the Turkish Air Warfare Industry is about to take its place on the shelves. I was one of the readers of this valuable work, the first edition of which was published in 2009. It is still one of the cornerstone books in my bookshelf, which I still use and reference. Now, with its expanded volume in its new edition and deepening subject coverage, it is certain that it fills an important gap in the Turkish aerospace industry. I believe that this latest expanded edition is eagerly awaited by all Turkish readers who closely follow the developments in the Turkish aviation and space industry, that it will have many readers, and that it will make many more editions.
Author Assoc. Prof. Dr. (Ret.) Av. Lt. Lt. Col. Osman YALÇIN, and I wish him to continue enlightening the Turkish Air Warfare Industry with this and similar valuable works.
