Derek Wood (1930 – 2 May 2003) was the author of
Jane's World Aircraft Recognition Handbook. ISBN 0-7106-0343-6. Wood was the editor of "
Jane's" the publishers of a wide range of military handbooks and weekly defence newsletters until he retired in 1993. For more than 30 years Derek was the doyen of aviation specialists in Fleet Street and enjoyed a reputation for unimpeachable integrity. He was renowned, not only for his expertise and keen intellect, but also for his steadfast refusal to compromise moral stands in a notoriously competitive field.