WGFE: Genesis of Fighter Aviation in WWI (Aeronaut)

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Book Title:

Genesis of Fighter Aviation in WWI (Aeronaut)

Author:

Jack Herris

ISBN:

ISBN-13: 978-1935881360

Category:

Reference

Format:

Paperback

Summary:

A Centennial Perspective on Great War Aviation #20

by Jack Herris (Author), Bob Pearson (Illustrator), Steve Anderson (Cover Design), Aaron Weaver (Cover Design)

From the publisher:

This is the story of the origin and development of fighter aviation during World War I, the first air war, and the legend of the fighter ace. The story combines the exploits of the aces, the evolution of combat tactics, and the technical development of fighter aircraft from its primitive beginnings to the armistice, presaging the aerial arms race that continues today, when the fighter is the key offensive aerial weapon. The book has 550 photos (36 in color), 170 color profiles, and 280 pages, and is of interest to aviation historians, enthusiasts, and modelers alike.

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Series: Great War Aviation Series
Paperback: 280 pages
Publisher: Aeronaut Books (August 29, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1935881361
ISBN-13: 978-1935881360
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.7 x 11 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds

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I'll be completely honest... $60 is not cheap, and I may not have purchased this title if not for a gift card burning a hole in my pocket. That being said, I'm quite pleased with this title. Unlike other titles in this series, Genesis of Fighter Aviation in World War I investigates the development of "fighter" aircraft on both sides of the lines... a welcome deviation from the norm.

I enjoyed reading through this title, although little here is earthshakingly new (though, to be fair, there were a number of photos of which I was unfamiliar). As with the other titles in this series, it is lavishly decorated with black and white photos and color plates, supported by concise, informative text.

Despite its cost, I recommend this title, especially if you're looking to start/grow your Great War library. For those who already own a number of the Aeronaut titles, this edition of the Centennial Series is one of my favorites. Although some of the photos are repeats from earlier editions (as has been noted for this series), the inclusion of Allied aircraft adds something to the series it was lacking.

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Table of Contents:

• Introduction
• Before the Fighter
• The First Fighters
• Second Generation Fighters
• Third Generation Fighters
• Fourth Generation Fighters
• Fifth Generation Fighters
• Sixth Generation Fighters
• Other Fronts (Italian, Eastern, Middle East)
• Fighters Weird and Wonderful (Night Fighters, Zeppelin Hunters, Convoy Escort, Armored, Seaplane, Shipboard)
• Fighter Engines
• Fighter Genesis in Retrospect
• Appendix #1: Leading Aces & Their Scores
• Appendix #2: Frontesband Inventory of German Biplane Fighters at the Front
• Appendix #3: Frontesband Inventory of German Triplane Fighters at the Front
• Bibliography, Index, and Afterward