WGFA: First War Planes, The

[Baldrick62]

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The First War Planes Author:
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Where the fascination with WWI aviation started for me! Purnell's 'History of the World Wars' Special, '64 Pages packed with colour' as it said on the cover, was largely a compendium of articles from their late '60s/early '70s 'History of the First World War' magazines. As well as providing a loose chronology for the war in the air, it also explored technical and tactical innovations, identified notable flyers other than MvR and provided lots of photos and colour drawings of individually-marked aircraft and sqn markings. While since overtaken by later publications whcih have benefitted from the upsurge in interest and research on the subject, for its time and the princely cover price of 45p (which would have been about AU$1.20) it remains for me a great investment and a nostaglic classic.
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[prymus]

While I don't yet have this book, as someone new to the air war on the Western Front from 1914-1918 this sounds like a good book for a starter. I am looking for more info on Squadron markings and such and would ask your advice. I have "Aircraft of World War 1 1914-1918" and "Color Profiles of World War 1 Combat Planes" both of these I've enjoyed very much. But the problem with these is there is not a lot of squadron or individual markings info. Instead of spending hundreds on Osprey titles(I did order 3 Ospreys) do you know of a single(or double) volume that could give me some of the info I'm looking for? Thanks very much. Sorry for resurrecting an older thread.

[Baldrick62]

PM,
As this is a book review (ie, a reference, and now 40 years since publication), there's no need to apologize for 'resurrecting an older thread'. I wish I could give you a decent answer, but it effectively comes down to a case of which aircraft and/or which units you're looking for. If you don't want to go down the route of collector madness and financial ruin, a good bet would be Bob Pearson's profiles - http://www.cbrnp.com/RNP/CDv2/index.htm

[prymus]

Wow, thank you. Checked out the link and the CD looks like just what I want. Thanks again Baldrick62,appreciate you taking the time to point me to this.

[Boney10]

I can endorse Baldricks recommendation for the Bob Pearson cd, a very valuable reference well worth the money.
For UK squadrons check out the review for Les Rogers British aviation and Sqn markings of WW1 another gem, but expensive

[Lt. S.Kafloc]

Some good hints of where to go there chaps and nostalgia time for the Specials. Had a few of those mainly WW2 though. Still have one somewhere unless swmbo cleared it out.