Michael J. H. Taylor

A selection of contemporary topical articles on aviation matters of the day - 1986, that is. Page 139 illustrates a number of members of Sutton Coldfield Model Makers' Society - particularly John Bricknell and George Wright -at the Moth Club meeting at Woburn in 1985. Neither of those named are still with us; George has passed on, whilst John was stricken with dementia and in a few short years went from a vital member of the Society to a shadow of his former self with little vestige of the show more man he once was remaining, before his passing.

But this was the reason for my acquiring this book. To my surprise, on closer examination I found an added bonus: an article by the Irish science fiction writer Bob Shaw, in his earlier incarnation as a PR officer for Shorts. In this case, it was a piece on flying Skyvans with the Sultan of Oman's air force from makeshift airstrips in the desert. I knew Bob for a number of years, and his writing displayed a very easy way with prose. On the strength of this article, he applied that just as much to his professional aviation writing as to his science fiction. show less

This is really just a scrapbook of some interesting aircraft, more than half of which really are not that "weird," but are commonly included in many other books about "regular" aircraft. In fact, many other "weird" aircraft that could have been included are not. The textual commentary on the aircraft is extremely limited and not very interesting nor does it provide information that is not readily available online. I get the impression the author and/or the publisher needed some cash so show more he/they slapped this volume together and marketed it. Overall, a disappointment. show less

I couldn't get into the story line. However, there are seasons in one's life for books, which is why I never give them away. I will try to read it again in my future and, who knows? I may absolutely love it then.

Over 250 of the world's most important, influential aircraft, from the first powered aircraft, the Wright Brother's 'Flyer' to Northrop's highly advanced B-2 stealth bomber. Commercial aircraft such as the Douglas DC-3 Dakota and the new A380 double decker Airbus, are detailed as are many of the classic fighters and bombers from World War II, such as the Supermarine Spitfire, North American P-51 Mustang and Boeing B-17 Fortress.

All the essential detail is here. Fascinating histories of the show more design, development, manufacture, and service life of each aircraft are accompanied by a technical specification highlighting on its most important variants. Each is illustrated by a large and detailed color side view artwork, a three-view general arrangement line drawing, and supported with additional photographs. show less