Born William Tudor Gunston in London in 1927, Gunston was educated at Pinner County Grammar School, where in his spare time he was Flight Sergeant in the school Air Training Corps squadron, and for several months librarian of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Gunston joined the Royal Air Force and was sent to University College, Durham from 1945-46, then served as a pilot for three years during which he flew many types of aircraft including the De Havilland Vampire jet fighter. After leaving the RAF he joined the staff of Flight International magazine, where he was appointed Technical Editor in 1955. Since 1969 he has been part of the production team on the annual publication Jane's All the World's Aircraft and was editor of Jane's Aero-Engines from 1995 to 2007.

a very partial listing

• Plane Speaking, Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1991 ISBN 1-85260-166-3
• Mikoyan MiG-21, Osprey, 1986 ISBN 0-85045-652-5
• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the World's Modern Military Aircraft ISBN 978-0-86101-010-3
• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the World's Rockets and Missiles ISBN 0-8317-7415-0
• Soviet Air Power
• The US War Machine
• Submarines in Colour - Blandford Colour Series - Blandford - 1976 - ISBN 0-7137-0780-1
• Modern Fighting Aircraft ISBN 0-86101-158-9
• The Illustrated Directory of Fighting Aircraft of World War II ISBN 0-7603-0722-9
• Fighters of the Fifties, Specialty Press, 1981 ISBN 0-933424-32-9
• Early Supersonic Fighters of the West London: Ian Allan Ltd., 1973. ISBN 0-7110-0636-9.
• Bombers of the West. London: Ian Allan Ltd., 1973. ISBN 0-7110-0456-0.
• Faster Than Sound: The Story of Supersonic Flight. London: Haynes, 1992. ISBN 1-85260-317-8.
• Attack Aircraft of the West London: Ian Allan Ltd., 1974. ISBN 0-7110-0523-0.
• An Illustrated Guide to Military Helicopters, London: Salamander Books Ltd, 1981. ISBN 0-86101-110-4.
• An Illustrated Guide to the Israeli Air Force, London: Salamander Books Ltd, 1982. ISBN 0-86101-140-6.
• An Illustrated Guide to Future Fighters and Combat Aircraft, London: Salamander Books Ltd, 1984. ISBN 0-86101-163-5.