WW1 Books

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[Pup Cam]

I thought a complementary thread to the WW1 websites one might be of use so here goes with a couple of recommendations:

Aircraft of the Aces Series by Osprey - (eg Sopwith Pup, Sopwith Triplane, Sopwith Camel, SE5A, Bristol Fighter etc)   Although, as the titles suggest, the main focus is the men themselves this series has scale drawings, descriptions of the aircraft and a good collection of colour scheme illustrations of the aircraft.  Other books on German aircraft aces are included in the series plus books on specific groups (eg Jagdstaffel 2 'Boelke')
Reasonably priced (~£12) and some very interesting tales.



The Sopwith Pup by J.M. Bruce published by Air-Britain.    A superb monograph on the Pup including hundreds of photographs and 14 sheets of detailed and, what look to be, very accurate and detailed drawings of the aircraft and its construction.   If you love or are building the Pup this is an essential book.  Recently on offer on Amazon for £19.99.



Warplanes of the First World War - Fighters by J.M.Bruce published by Macdonald - A very interesting five volume set (shame I've only got volumes 1,3 & 5!).   Small format, published late '60s and early '70s.   Includes 3 view drawings, a page or so of text and photographs.  All the well known aircraft are there of course but the really interesting thing about the series is all of the rare, unknown  and sometimes bizarre aircraft.     

Sopwith Aircraft by Mick Davis published by The Crowood Press - A good book with 12 chapters introducing the man and the Company followed by a chapter on each the well known aircraft and then details of some of the lesser known ones.   Information includes the aircraft specifications, allocations to units and typical aircraft, and details of the operational service.  Some interesting photographs of aircraft under construction and some detailed drawings of specific features eg the patented variable incidence tailplane used on the 11/2 Strutter and the Pup and the air brakes  on the 11/2 Strutter.

Currently out of print but there is a book seller (sorry don't know the name, but it was at Farnborough and the August 08 Old Warden display) with a big pile of them knocking them out at £15 (Cover price £25).   Available from some dealers on Amazon starting at £45 (so that's to be avoided then!)



Catch it if you can.     I believe there was another book in the series but I can't remember which Company it was on - might have been the Royal Aircraft Factory.

Alan B

[danishpasty]

Not a regular in DP (But still dreaming of a Mick Reeves Camel) so please forgive me if this was mentioned before the Great Crash

For anyone interested in Air War in WW1, Winged Victory by V.M Yeats is superb. Written as a semi autobiographical account, the book tels the story of a Camel Pilot in France during 1918. Yeats began flying with the RFC and went on to log 248 hours in Camels, crashed 4 times, was shot down twice and died in 1934 of TB brought on by the stress of war flying. Its a beautifully written book, by turns funny and tragic, and whilst a work of fiction it is as valuable a piece of reference material as any colour profile or a good three view drawing.
Cheers, Rob

[rcfanuk]

Rob, I do know a man with a full MR Camel kit for sale if you are interested?

Steve

[Michael_Rolls]

Not a regular in DP (But still dreaming of a Mick Reeves Camel) so please forgive me if this was mentioned before the Great Crash

For anyone interested in Air War in WW1, Winged Victory by V.M Yeats is superb. Written as a semi autobiographical account, the book tels the story of a Camel Pilot in France during 1918. Yeats began flying with the RFC and went on to log 248 hours in Camels, crashed 4 times, was shot down twice and died in 1934 of TB brought on by the stress of war flying. Its a beautifully written book, by turns funny and tragic, and whilst a work of fiction it is as valuable a piece of reference material as any colour profile or a good three view drawing.
Cheers, Rob

An absolutely superb book. Another one as good is Saggitarius Rising, by C.S. Lewis and 'No Parachute' - the name of the authir escpaes me, though ( )
Mike

[danishpasty]

Rob, I do know a man with a full MR Camel kit for sale if you are interested?

Steve

Mmmmmmmm........1/4 or 1/3 scale. Probably a bit preature either way for me as I am a newbie to flying. (still at the dual control on the club foamie stage) but maybe I could find a place for it on the shelf of doom. Rob

[Mudflap]

It's 1/3 scale Mr Pasty

[tekiM]

...'No Parachute' - the name of the authir escpaes me, though ( )
Mike

Arthur Gould Lee.  Also the author of "Sopwith Scout 7309" - about his time on Pups.  Retired from the RAF after WW2 as an AVM.

Mike

[Michael_Rolls]

Arthur Gould Lee.  Also the author of "Sopwith Scout 7309" - about his time on Pups.  Retired from the RAF after WW2 as an AVM.

Mike

That's it  - I thought I remembered the name Gould but didn't like to perhaps mislead. Not heard of his other book - must try and track it down. Thanks
Mike

[bungy86]

Hi all,

just thought i had to post in hear as we are talking of books, i believe this one definitely needs a mention! knights of the air by Ezra bowmen.
it isn't a reference book for a specific model but the book just congers up the feel of the pioneering airmen and the way the air war was seen in those days as a "gentlemans sport" really is a cracking book, i love it. great illustrations and paintings of the ace's, there uniforms, weapons, medals and also aviation advertising and propergander at the time.

[Teus]

A must have.....................   

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Ghosts 2010 WW-I Calendar

WW1 Books

[rcfanuk]

The FE2B flies again! recreating a WWI Legend

WW1 Books

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Link Here

In only three years The Vintage Aviator Ltd. built a perfect replica of the FE2b.

It’s been almost a century since these iconic British two-seaters took to the sky and thanks to TVAL we have one flying again today. The road to success was not an easy one with many challenges along the way.

What better way to document the whole process than to get together with Albatros Productions and produce a publication that chronicles the event. And what a publication it is!

Including the covers, this A4 sized edition contains 68 jam-packed pages. There are over 70 contemporary black and white photographs as well as a further 87 in colour. These latter pictures show the steps involved in making this reproduction aircraft and include shots of every facet of its construction.

Steve

[martinw]

At the risk of being considered advertising, I keep a catalogue of aviation books available on Amazon UK with a comprehensive WW1 section here:

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Aviation Books on Amazon UK

[Rittmeister]

I can't be getting into catalogs of aircraft and pilots.  I simply can't afford it.  If I started looking at that, I would probably buy 20 or 30 books.  Then my money would be gone and my building time would be nonexistent.  I did, however read what I would consider a great book, I think from Osprey, titled "Richthofen's Circus".  It told of those squadrons during the war, the people and the planes.  It is very sad that so many pilots died, on both sides. 
there I go again.  It seems the older I get, the wussier I get.  I wasn't at all like this during my 20 years active duty.

Bob

[Pup Cam]

For the engine enthusiast and bargain hunter ......

The equivelent of the Haynes Manual for You are not allowed to view links.
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Clerget 9B & 9BF engines

for £1-65  

I also couldn't resist this how to build a 1/4 scale You are not allowed to view links.
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Bentley BR2 Rotary  Engine

for £15-95.   I first saw this engine in the '80s at the Model Engineer exhibition, a truely superb bit of work that makes a hell of a draught.   Now there's a project to sharpen up those turning skills!



Both available from You are not allowed to view links.
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Camden Miniature Steam Services

.   Never used them before, (would have been) quick service, very good but make sure they get your address right     An error in the house number of 1 added an extra 5 days to the delivery

Alan

[Rittmeister]

Well, I've done it!  I got into the Windsock Datafile catalog!!  I was good, however and only bought 4 books.  Considering the price of postage, and what I think I saw in the exchange rate I liiked up afterwards, I think I should have bought more.  When they arrive I'll be reading and re-reading for a while.

Thanks,

Bob

[bobt]

An absolutely superb book. Another one as good is Saggitarius Rising, by C.S. Lewis and 'No Parachute' - the name of the authir escpaes me, though ( )
Mike

Read 'Saggitarius Rising' It was totally different to how I imagined it would be, a remarkable insight into the minds of the men involved. 

[sprintst]

Hi all looking for windsock datafile 58 for the morane type n if some one could let me know where i can get one thanks 


Rich....

[Teus]

Send you a Pm Rich,

Teus

[Lucky Dog]

I am throughly enjoying (if that's the proper word) Bloody April by Peter Hart.

 

WW1 Books

From the back cover:
"Peter Hart tells the story of the air war over Arras, using the voices of the men who were actually there: tales from survivors shot down by the "red Barn" himself, descriptions of frenzied dogfights and dramatic crash landings in the waste of No Man's Land. All this put firmly into the context of the Battle of Arras as a whole and the overall framework of the Allied strategy for 1917."

[Pup Cam]

I finished "No Parachute" a few weeks back, as others have said, an excellent book.   I must track down Saggitarius Rising.

I've also just finished reading:

"Naval Eight: A History Of No. 8 Squadron R. N. A. S. - Afterwards No. 208 Squadron R. A. F. - From Its Formation In 1916 Until The Armistice In 1918"



An excellent, if relatively expensive, book published by the Imperial War Museum.    Each chapter is written by various serving members at the time - a C.O., a Flight Commander, a Flying Officer, an Armament Officer and one from "The Lower Deck" (it was the RNAS remember).   Interesting to learn about the different perspectives and of course many of the famous names are mentioned.

Alan