The First World War in the Air

? An illustrated history of early wartime aviation

? Charts the development of aerial warfare and the brave young airmen who took their lives in their hands

The four years between 1914 and 1918 saw an incredible growth in air power. Beginning with the flimsy early aircraft, seemingly held together just by string and fabric, the author paints a picture of a bygone era when nobody knew quite what could be achieved, or how aircraft could be used.

From the early years of the First World War, when men took to the air without guns or parachutes, to the final stage of the conflict when huge, streamlined airplane fleets dominated the skies, this is a story of courage and dedication, of sudden death and public adulation for men whose life expectancy was measured in days rather than months.

This book is an account of how the development of aerial warfare took place. Drawing on much original material such as diaries and combat reports, it charts the growth of air power during the war years. Original photographs and artwork add to the atmosphere of the time.

The air aces, the castor oil and the sudden rattle of machine guns, the Dawn Patrol, Zeppelin raids, dogfights and acts of supreme valor are all here. In wonderful detail, this is the story of how brave young airmen took their lives in their hands and pushed the boundaries of courage and knowledge to the limits.

REVIEWS

“…a good read and useful starting point to any modeler just getting interested in WWII aviation.”


Model Airplane International



“Phil Carradice has accomplished a difficult task: he has wriiten an overview of World War I aviation that is concise and factual yet still interesting. This highly illustrated book comes very close to telling the complete story of military aviation in World War I…interesting, scholarly and all encompassing…”
Over the Front