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by John W. H. Taylor.
Hardback (4.1×6.3 inches). 312 pages. 2024 reprint of 1954/1955 book.
This 2024 compact reprint shrinks down to tiny dimensions what I suppose was a full page 1955/1956 book. It also consolidates four different publications, including RAF, US/Canadian, Continental Europe, and Helicopters. Jet and Prop planes, helicopters, and airships are included. So are the advertisements — interesting.
Most aircraft are one to a page, although some are multiples per page. Each page with an individual aircraft contains a black and white photo, specs, recognition features, remarks, and a trio of black with white outline illustrations (side, front, and bottom). Some of the newer aircraft, like the Hawker Hunter, note that some specs are classified.
Also, while it looks complete, I’m not sure if every military aircraft is included, although a number of WWII-era planes are included — was the ME-109 and JU-52 still being used by Germany?
This reprint uses a dual page number system — the original page number is not the same as the reprint page number. When you jump from one 1955 publication to another, the new volume restarts the numbering while the reprint numbering scheme continues on. Hence the original page number for the Convair F-102A is 20 while the reprint page number is 110. The index uses the original page numbers.
It’s tiny, but packs a lot of information for its time. I only skimmed through it, but thumbing through Cold War era aircraft proved interesting from time to time.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
