Tony Buttler joined High Duty Alloys in 1974 as a metallurgist and for nearly 20 years was involved in the testing of aluminium and titanium airframe and engine components. After leaving HDA, he earned his Masters degree in Archives and Library Studies at Loughborough University, and in 1996 began his career as an aviation historian. He has since written 30 books and numerous articles, and has become particularly well known for his work on prototypes and secret projects. He lives in Worcestershire, UK.

Yefim Gordon is an aviation journalist and photographer who has been researching Soviet/Russian aviation history for more than forty years.

He has authored and coauthored more than 120 books on the subject and published hundreds of features and photographs in Russian and foreign aviation magazines.