WWII Biplane Fighter Aces

Desert Prelude: Operation Compass

2011-08-17T21:03:00.000+02:00

A nice review of Desert Prelude: Operation Compass from Storia Militare July 2011 (in Italian)!

Desert Prelude: Operation Compass

2011-08-17T20:59:00.000+02:00

A very nice review of Desert Prelude: Operation Compass from Aeroplane August 2011!

Books for sale

2011-06-08T12:59:00.004+02:00

I’m selling of some books, which I’m having more than one example of. A list of books is available at: http://wwiibiplanefighteraces.tumblr.com/

I’m interested of exchanging them with other books and/or selling them for the indicated prize.

I’m also interested in buying whole collections of aviation books.

Please contact me with any questions.

Whirlwind: The Air War Against Japan, 1942-1945 (2011) – Barrett Tillman

2011-05-19T13:01:00.000+02:00

Barrett Tillman’s book about the air war against Japan has been available for a while but for some reason I haven’t bought it until now when it was available as a paperback. The book covers the bomber campaign against Japan by the U.S. (and to lesser extent the U.K.); first from China and later from the Pacific (Guam, Saipan etc). The layout of the book with a beginning describing the background, the main part covering the operations and a nice final analysis is very good and gives an excellent overview of the campaign. As in all books about the Pacific war, I’m always fascinated by the cultural differences between the Allies and Japan and especially the willingness of the Japanese to sacrifice their own people to a lost cause and the rivalry between the Army And Navy (which in fact also existed in the armed forces of the U.S.). Sometimes I gets the feeling that the Navy started the Pacific war just because they were jealous that the Army got all the “glory” in China. Of course the political causes and the need for resources played a major part but still the Japanese strategically view was a failure from the beginning. In any case, the book gives good value describing the development of the strategically campaign by the U.S. and the vain Japanese attempts to thwart it. Highly recommended!

Rating: 9/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Whirlwind-Air-Against-Japan-1942-1945/dp/1416584412/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1305801812&sr=1-12

First review of "Desert Prelude: Operation Compass"

2011-03-26T11:45:00.000+01:00

The first review of "Desert Prelude: Operation Compass" has arrived!
http://www.mmpbooks.biz/mmp/reviews.php?page=1&book_id=135&type=2

Swedish J 9s (Seversky P-35) on film

2011-03-15T20:39:00.002+01:00

Marvelous color-clip of Swedish J 9s (Seversky P-35) being prepared in the Philippines in 1940. These aircraft were embargoed Swedish fighters re-routed from Sweden to the Pacific.

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675060825_United-States-airmen_Far-East-Army-Air-Force-Seversky-P-35_Headquarters-17th-Pursuit-Squadron

For more info on the J 9 in Sweden (and the Philippines see Mikael Forslund nice book (http://www.mikaelforslundproduktion.com/4.html)

Desert Prelude: Operation Compass

2011-03-05T16:54:00.001+01:00

It seems that the book is available for order since I've received my "writer's copies" and according to MMP's webpage the book is available for sale (http://mmpbooks.biz/mmp/books.php?book_id=135 ) even if it's only available for pre-order at Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Desert-Prelude-Operation-Compass-White/dp/8361421181/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299338158&sr=8-1 ).

This book covers the air war during "Operation Compass" from December 1940 until the fall of Beda Fomm on 7 February 1941 and thus concludes mine and Ludovico Slongo's "Desert Prelude".

53o Stormo (Aviation Elite Units) (2010)

2011-01-27T21:12:00.000+01:00

All new books about the RegiaAeronautica in English are welcome and Marco Mattioli's new book in Osprey's Aviation Elite Units series is no exception. Mr. Mattioli is a new writer to me even if I know that he is a writer that has made some books and been published in several Italian history magazines. The book, in Osprey's well-known format, follows the 53o Stormo from the formation in 1936 until the surrender in 1943 in all the theaters of war that they fought in. During its time, the unit flew Fiat CR.32s, Fiat CR.42s, Fiat G.50bis, Macchi CMC.200s, Macchi MC.202s and finally Bf 109s. Several pilots covered on my site (which is credited in the bibliography) is present in the book including Medaglia d'oro winners Giorgio Graffer, Luigi Mariotti, Ernesto Trevisi, Guglielmo Chiarini, Giovanni Accorsi and Furio Lauri; the last of them being the only one "surviving" the award! The book includes some to me new photos and some well known. All-in-all the book is a nice addition to my library of books about the Italian Air Force. Recommended!

Rating 9/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/53%C2%B0-Stormo-Aviation-Elite-Units/dp/1846039770/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1296158848&sr=8-1

Desert Prelude Part 2 "Operation Compass"

2011-01-24T21:17:00.000+01:00

Latest news from the publisher is that the book will go to the printers during the first week of February.

http://www.mmpbooks.biz/mmp/books.php?book_id=135

Polikarpov I-15, I-16 and I-153 Aces (Aircraft of the Aces) (2010)

2010-08-15T21:40:00.000+02:00

Mikhail Maslov's new book in Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces series is a welcome addition to the books about Soviet pilots. Especially interesting is the chapters about the Spanish Civil War, China and Nomonhan. The book includes many to me new memoires from Soviet pilots remembering flying the Polikarpov fighters. However there are some faults in it. For example the 'aces' listing in the end of the book doesn't correspond with the text and some of the dates on claims are strange (at least compared with my own research). It also a pity that the claims isn't checked at all against known losses and claims from the Finnish air force and the Luftwaffe. All-in-all however, it is still a book worth having and is another one that slowly tears away the fogs of propaganda and myths regarding the Soviet Unions involvement in the conflict in the 30's and 40's. Now we only waits for a book by one of the real experts to be available in English - I know they exist since I have a couple in Russian but this is a language that is too difficult to penetrate to get an understanding.

Rating: 7/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Polikarpov-I-15-I-16-I-153-Aircraft/dp/1846039819/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1281900309&sr=1-2

Fiat CR.32 Aces of the Spanish Civil War (Aircraft of the Aces) (2010)

2010-08-15T20:17:00.002+02:00

Alfredo Logoluso's long awaited book about the Italians and Spanish that flew Fiat CR.32s in the Spanish Civil War is finally here and it has been worth the wait. A very good book that covers an area that is very difficult to find information about in English. Well-written by an expert with much (to me) new information (which will force me to do many additions and some changes to my site...). The book also includes many new images in Osprey's well-known format. I rank this one as one of the best in the whole series (and this is book number 94 in the series). This book also shows that it's time for a new book about the air war of the Spanish Civil War that covers the whole conflict to replace Jesus Salas Larrazabal's 41-years old "Air War Over Spain", which is still the best available in English.
If you the slightest interested in the SCW or in Italian aces from both the SCW and WWII this one is a must!

Rating: 10/10

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fiat-CR-32-Spanish-Civil-Aircraft/dp/1846039835/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1281895521&sr=8-1

Desert Prelude: Vol 1

2010-08-07T13:28:00.000+02:00

We have received a wonderful review from Stone & Stone on Desert Prelude: Vol 1 - http://stonebooks.com/archives/100801.shtml

Desert Prelude: Operation Compass

2010-06-29T19:44:00.001+02:00

Today I've seen the first version of Desert Prelude Part 2. It looks very good even if there's much work to do with the index etc.
The book can be pre-ordered from Amazon at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/8361421181/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_i4?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=19HYN7AXVB008CHD8S5Y&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128473&pf_rd_i=468294

Regia Aeronautica (2010)

2010-05-13T15:00:00.001+02:00

Chris Dunning's latest book covers Regia Aeronautica's operational history from 1923-1945. Well done and well written it covers almost all aspects of the Italian Air Force from the mission to China in 1933-1937 and the occupation of Ethiopia in 1935-1936 until the Co-Belligerent Air Force and the A.N.R of 1943-1945. Each chapter is followed by a chapter on camouflage and markings done by well-known aviation artist Richard Caruana. The book also includes a chapter about the ace Ugo Drago (http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/italy_drago.htm ). The book also has an appendix about the aircraft production which includes types produced, numbers and when they were produced; a very nice addition in a subject that's difficult to find information about.
However in my opinion the book is thin in the text with focus on images and profiles as if the scope is modelers and not the ones with (deep) interest in the Italian Air Force. As an example the marginal CAI operations is covered on roughly 4 pages of text while the remaining operations of the Regia Aeronautica in 1940-43 (North Africa, Malta, Albania/Greece, Russia and Italy) receives the same number of pages of text! The texts about the markings and camouflage (which a very well done) cover almost the same number of pages, i.e. the book is more a modelers guide than an operational history.

A slightly missed opportunity to produce THE book about the Regia Aeronautica given the expertise of the author but all-in-all a nice book, that's a must for anyone interested in the Italian Air Force due to the scarceness of books about this subject in English.

Rating 4/5

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Regia-Aeronautica-Chris-Dunning/dp/190653702X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273753780&sr=8-1

Ali Antiche no. 89 (2010)

2010-05-13T14:27:00.000+02:00

The latest number of this nice Italian magazine includes articles about the Fiat G.46 under restoration in Suffolk (UK), the restoration of the DC-3 at Caselle and an article of the craftsmanship involved in restoring vintage aircraft, which included images of the work on the landing gear spats of the Fiat CR.42. As usually very interesting and including many nice photos.

Rating 4/5

Available for subscription from: http://www.gavs.it/

One more nice review of 'Desert Prelude'

2010-05-03T21:19:00.000+02:00

A very nice review of 'Desert Prelude' from Scale Aviation Modeller.

More reviews on Desert Prelude

2010-04-30T14:00:00.000+02:00

http://mmpbooks.biz/mmp/reviews.php?page=1&book_id=119&type=2

Gladiator Ace: Bill 'Cherry' Vale, the RAF's Forgotten Fighter Ace (2010)

2010-04-30T13:58:00.001+02:00

New book written by Brian Cull with Ludovico Slongo and myself.
This book is now available from Amazon at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gladiator-Ace-Cherry-Forgotten-Fighter/dp/184425657X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272628415&sr=1-1

More reviews on Desert Prelude

2010-04-19T21:58:00.000+02:00

http://mmpbooks.biz/mmp/reviews.php?page=1&book_id=119&type=2

Goon in the Block (2010)

2010-04-17T14:51:00.000+02:00

New book written by Don Edy about his exploits with 33 RAF Squadron in the Western Desert. The book can be ordered from: http://www.goonintheblock.com/

Desert Prelude

2010-04-16T13:08:00.000+02:00

"Desert Prelude: Early Clashes" is now available from Motor Books - http://www.motorbooks.co.uk/notes.asp?bookid=98784 .

Piece of Cake (1988)

2010-04-12T20:53:00.001+02:00

I bought a copy of 'Piece of Cake' on DVD. This 6-episode TV-series based on Derek Robinson's novel covers the 'Hornet' Squadron during the phoney-war and Battle of Britain. The story is highly fictionalized (typically no Spitfires in France etc.). But what the series do is delivering some stunning flying (and some bits and pieces from the Battle of Britain movie), but the new flying really stands out and it's incredibly 'cocky' - no display flying here and the Hanna's is on top of this game. A true feast for the eye! This old series was made in the 80's and has not been surpassed in view of the flying -why can't they do more series like this with real stuff? Nowadays there are large numbers of Spitfires flying with the odd Hurricane, Bf 109 and even Japanese aircraft. Isn't it time for a high quality aviation movie/TV-series in the style of Band of Brothers/The Pacific?

Also a couple of words on Derek Robinson. A highly recommended writer of fun aviation novels. He's not always kind to the RAF but he has a very typical humor always with a twinkle in the eye.

Recommended!

5/5

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Piece-Cake-DVD-Boyd-Gaines/dp/B000NTDPDM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1271097155&sr=1-2 (this version includes subtexts)

Beaufighter wreck in the Mediterranean

2010-03-27T13:55:00.001+01:00

A nice YouTube clip!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxwymljzTeA&NR=1

First review of Desert Prelude

2010-03-24T20:01:00.000+01:00

The first review of Desert Prelude has arrived!
See more at: http://mmpbooks.biz/mmp/reviews.php?page=1&book_id=119&title=No title&type=2

Arawasi International Extra 1 (2009)

2010-03-17T18:13:00.000+01:00

Arawasi International Extra 1 is a 50-page compilation of the five first numbers of the Arawasi magazine stating in 2007. This is an excellent magazine, which primarily concentrates on the IJAAF, filled with hard to get material (at least in English and to me) on Japanese aviation. In my particular interested there are articles about the Kawasaki K-10 'Perry', the attack by the 10th I F Chutai' attack on Kai Tak airfield on 8 December 1941 (see: http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/sino-japanese-1941.htm ) and the Nanking Nationalist Air Force. I will for certainly buy more magazines from this publisher!

Rating 4/5

Available from: http://www.arawasi.jp/

Air War over Spain (2009)

2010-03-16T19:31:00.001+01:00

Books about the air war during the Spanish Civil War are always welcome. Thus is this book by Rafael A. Permuy Lópes a nice addition in my library. The book covers aviators, aircraft and air units of the Nationalist and Republican Air Forces during 1936-1939. It includes many to me new images and profiles but unfortunately (in my opinion) it gives too much of an overview, i.e. no details on pilots (or very limited) and/or combats. Recommended to anyone new to the subject.

Rating 3/5

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Air-Over-Spain-Classic-Colours/dp/1906537100/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268763732&sr=1-1

Desert Prelude: Early clashes (2010)

2010-03-05T10:16:00.001+01:00

Mine and Ludovico Slongo's latest book "Desert Prelude: Early clashes" is now available from the publisher MMP at: http://mmpbooks.biz/mmp/books.php?book_id=119.
It will be available from amazon in a week or so.

Hawker Fury & Nimrod (2006)

2010-03-05T09:54:00.000+01:00

Another book written by Alex Crawford. This time about the Hawker Fury & Nimrod in MMP's Orange Series. Again well-written and full with interesting information and images. The use of the Fury during the SCW and WWI is well covered and for anyone interested in British 30's fighters this is a must. Recommended.

Rating 4/5

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hawker-Fury-Nimrod-MMP-Orange/dp/8389450410/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267778923&sr=8-1

Hawker Hart Family (2008)

2010-03-01T17:40:00.000+01:00

A book in MMP's Orange Series written by the expert on British 30's biplanes, Alex Crawford. As all his works, it is well-written and full of interesting and new images. The book covers the Hawker Hart, Osprey, Demon, Audax, Hardy, Hartbeeste, Hind and Hector with their service in various Air Forces prior and during the Second World War. As a Swede, I was particularly interested in the service of the Hart (Swedish Harts in combat: http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/sweden_f19.htm) and Osprey in Sweden and this chapter is well written even if it's a little short (probably due to space limitations). The book has 172 pages with the story of the use etc and these pages are followed 84 pages with on various survivors and restoration projects for a total of 256 pages. Recommended!

Rating 4/5

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hawker-Hart-Family-MMP-Orange/dp/8389450623/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267461008&sr=1-3

Douglas Bader

2010-02-17T15:13:00.000+01:00

Interesting article on Douglas Bader in todays Express: http://dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/158680/Bader-a-flawed-hero

Blackburn Skua & Roc (2007)

2010-02-15T21:20:00.002+01:00

An interesting monograph about the FAA's first monoplane, the Skua, and turreted version Roc written by Matthew Willis in Mushrooms Orange Series. Well-written in the series typical style even if a little thin (i.e. none) on appendices with squadron use and claims etc, which had made the book excellent. Still a nice addition to the collection and recommended to any interested in the FAA.

Rating 3/5

Unfortunately it seems to have been sold out (it seem that I've bought one of the last on Amazon).

Gladiators over Norway (1942)

2010-02-15T18:08:00.001+01:00

A small 42-pages gem from1942 written by Victor MacClure, who apparently interviewed a number of the survivors from 263 Squadron. The book covers the Squadrons operations during the two fateful campaigns in Norway in 1940. The name of the Squadron is not told in the book, probably due to wartime censorship. It's the same for the pilots but with little knowledge in the campaign and unit it is easy to decipher the nicknames on them. I'm slightly surprised in the honest way this British fiasco is described and thus it's interesting read. A very nice addition to my library.

A good start to read more about the pilots in the Norwegian campaign is my site at: http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator_norway_kills.htm

Rating 4/5

Desert Prelude - Early Clashes (2009)

2010-02-03T21:11:00.000+01:00

According to the publisher, the publishing date is set to 1 March 2010.

Sample pages are available from the publisher at: http://stratusbooks.com.pl/str/books_pdf/119.pdf

Reviews of Fiat CR.42 Aces of World War 2 (2009)

2010-02-03T14:13:00.000+01:00

Some reviews of the Fiat CR.42 Aces of World War 2 book:

http://www.ipmsusa2.org/reviews2/aircraft/books/osprey-publ/osprey_cr42-aces.htm

http://modelingmadness.com/scotts/books/osprey/aviation/cr42aces.htm

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/ref/osp/book_osp_aoa90.shtml

http://www.amazon.co.jp/Fiat-CR-42-Aces-World-Aircraft/dp/1846034272/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=english-books&qid=1265202509&sr=1-1 (in Japanese!)

http://www.amazon.de/Fiat-CR-42-Aces-World-Aircraft/dp/1846034272/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books-intl-de&qid=1265202540&sr=1-1 (in German)

http://www.amazon.com/Fiat-CR-42-Aces-World-Aircraft/dp/1846034272/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265202606&sr=1-1 (3 reviews)

The book is available from: http://www.amazon.com/Fiat-CR-42-Aces-World-Aircraft/dp/1846034272/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265202606&sr=1-1

Desert Prelude

2010-01-16T15:15:00.005+01:00

After a long wait and hard work, it finally seems that Ludovico Slongo's and mine "Desert Prelude" will be published during the spring of 2010. The size of the book has caused the publisher MMPBooks (http://www.mmpbooks.biz/mmp/index.php) to split it into two parts and it's the first part that due for publishing this spring. This first part will cover operations from 10 June 1940 until 30 November 1940. It will have around 220 pages in A4 format. I recently finished working with the names that are to be included in the index and this includes more than 1200 names (more than 700 Italian and 450 Commonwealth).

Italian War Graves

2009-12-27T16:58:00.000+01:00

A couple of weeks ago, Gianmaria Spagnoletti tiped me about the "Italian version" of the The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (http://www.cwgc.org/) which can be found at the Ministro Della Difesa (http://www.difesa.it/Ministro/Commissariato+Generale+per+le+Onoranze+ai+Caduti+in+Guerra/) - select: "Banca Dati sulle sepolture dei Caduti in Guerra" and when the new page opens select: "Accedi al sistema di ricerca". A realy useful tool!

Regia Aeronautica 2010

2009-11-29T14:20:00.000+01:00

Looks like 2010 will be a good year for anyone interested in the Regia Aeronautica!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Royal-Italian-Air-Force-1923-1945/dp/0764333739/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259500572&sr=8-1

Scheduled for 20 Feb 2010

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/190653702X/ref=s9_sima_gw_s0_p14_t1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=13F3AVJ4NX7JQ9E2NXWY&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467198433&pf_rd_i=468294
Schedueld for 1 Jun 2010

Fiat CR.42 Aces of World War 2 (2009)

2009-11-28T18:24:00.000+01:00

This year's Christmas present?
Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fiat-CR-42-Aces-World-Aircraft/dp/1846034272/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259428613&sr=8-1

Courage Alone: The Italian Air Force 1940-1943 (2009)

2009-10-14T20:33:00.003+02:00

This is revised and updated version of Chris Dunning's since long time sold-out "Courage Alone" from 1998. The new edition includes many new images but so far I haven't found any new information (I haven't gone through all unit histories yet). The book covers every Gruppo and Autonomo Squadriglia histories, areas of operations, allocations, OOBs, aircraft types etc. Two new things in the book are two appendices with extracts from the technical manuals for the Ca.310 and CR.32 (not adding very much). It also list the Regia Aeronautica aces (which still unfortunately includes the error that Franco Lucchini (http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/italy_lucchini.htm) claimed five victories in Spain - in fact he only claimed an I-15 as a solo victory on 21/02/38. It is still the best reference source on the Regia Aeronautica available in English but if you have the first edition, there is no need to buy this version (if you're not like me, who wants to buy everything available on Italian aviation, that is...). However, if you don't have the previous edition and is the slightest interested in the Regia Aeronautica, this is definitively a must! Highly recommended!

Rating 5/5

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Courage-Alone-Italian-Force-1940-1943/dp/1902109090/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255543456&sr=1-1

Ali Antiche no. 87 (2009)

2009-09-28T21:19:00.000+02:00

The latest number of this Italian magazine produced by the Gruppo Amici Velivoli Storici includes as usual a number of interesting articles. The magazine includes translations to English of the main articles. This number includes an interesting article about the Caproni Ca.114 in Peru during 1935-1944. The Ca.114 was the "loser" in the competition for a new fighter to the Regia Aeronautica that was won by the Fiat CR.32. 12 aircraft were exported to Peru and used up until 1944. Another article covers the development of the Fiat 7002 helicopter from 1957 until the project was cancelled in the early 60's. The helicopter was powered with a "jet" configuration, i.e. jet efflux from the rotor blades tips. Recommended for anyone interested in the more unknown parts of Italian aviation.

Rating 4/5

Available for subscription from: www.gavs.it

Hitler's Gulf War: The Fight For Iraq 1941 (2009)

2009-09-27T13:59:00.003+02:00

This book, written by Barrie G. James, covers the war in Iraq in 1941 when the Iraqis opportunistically revolted against the British after vague promises from the Germans and Italians on assistance. The British were in a grave situation in the spring of 1941, being hard pressed by Rommel in North Africa, having been pushed out of Greece and awaiting the invasion of Crete. At this time, the Iraqi government decided to revolt against the British, trying to push them out of the country, which would have placed the British in a very dangerous situation cutting the communications between the Middle East and India. This is a little known campaign, which have only been covered in a few books. This book doesn't add anything new regarding the air war (excellent covered in C. Shores' "Dust clouds in the Middle East" and Tony Dudgeon's "Hidden victory" and "The war that never was") while the ground war is equally good covered in Robert Lyman's "Iraq 1941". However, what it does add in an easy way is the political background and play of the situation in Iraqi before and during the campaign. This is very interesting reading given the situation that have prevailed in the country up until today and the situation in the whole Middle East. Unfortunately the book doesn't have any images nor any maps and suffers from having been dramatized by having dialogue added, which feels strange in a history book. The book ends with a good epilogue with the fate of the main participants after the campaign, a good bibliography and a usable index.
The verdict is a good book that in an easy way covers a dramatic campaign and complex situation but without adding anything new about the air war. Recommended.

Rating: 3/5

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hitlers-Gulf-War-Fight-Iraq/dp/184884090X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254052640&sr=1-1

Gladiator: Finn Thorsager - fra jagerpilot til flykaptein (2009)

2009-09-05T15:58:00.003+02:00

Tor Idar Larsen has written a biography over Finn Thorsager (http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/norway_thorsagen.htm ). The book is on 209 pages and covers Thorsager's career from his youth via the Norwegian Air Force and the RAF to the end of his career in the SAS. It's a very nice book and includes some unique images. Books about the Scandinavian pilots in the RAF are very rare and this book covers this period very well. Unfortunately, the book is written in Norwegian and thus will only be accessible to a Scandinavian market. In addition, it lacks an index, which makes it difficult to use as reference in the future (many other Norwegian pilots features in the book). However, these are only minor issues and if you're a Scandinavian with interest in this period this is highly recommended book!

Rating 4/5

Available from: http://www.finnthorsager.com/index.html

Luftwaffe pictures

2009-06-17T21:41:00.000+02:00

I found some interesting pictures taken by Luftwaffe pilots in Russia.

http://englishrussia.com/?p=2952#more-2952

In the Skies of France, a Chronicle of JG 2 "Richthofen": Volume 1: 1934-1940

2009-05-21T13:01:00.003+02:00

The book is written by Erik Mombeeck and Jean-Louise Roba with Chris Goss and has 316 pages. The book covers the history of JG 2 from 1940 until the end of 1940 and includes the units operation in the battle of France and Britain on a day-by-day basis. What I likes is that it tries to verify when possible the units it fought against and made claims/suffered losses to. It also includes many personal recounts. The book is ended with appendix with losses and an index. Recommended!

Rating 4/5

Available from: http://www.luftwaffe.be/

Air War Over Finland 1939-1945

2009-05-11T19:45:00.001+02:00

Kari Stenman has made "Air War Over Finland" available on DVD. This is an old gem that I've had on VHS for years. Actually, I spent plenty of money and time trying to convert into some format useable on the computer last Christmas but to avail, thus this release is a most welcome one! The DVD is in black and white and is 62 minutes covering the Finnish Air Force during the Second World War thus including many unusual aircraft filmed both on the ground and in the air (including Gladiators and Fiat G.50s). The film includes Finnish, Swedish or English narration. This is a real must if you have the slightest interest in this subject!

Rating 5/5

Available from: http://www.kolumbus.fi/kari.stenman/

Storming the Bombers, a Chronicle of JG 4, Luftwaffe's 4th Fighter Wing: Volume 1: 1942-1944

2009-05-11T18:41:00.002+02:00

An English edition of Erik Mombeeck's book. The book has 242 pages and covers the operations of JG 4 from the establishment in 1942 until September 1944. The book covers the operations in a day-by-day account with all losses and claims made by the Geschwader. Unfortunately there is now attempt to verify either losses nor claims against Allied records. Especially interesting (at least to me) is the operations over Italy from 28 December 1943 until 1 August 1944 where the book partially covers a gap among my books. However, again no verification against Allied records nor anything about the Italian forces. A must for anyone with a deep interest in the Luftwaffe and a useful addition to anyone interested in the operations over Italy.

Rating 4/5

Available from: http://www.luftwaffe.be/

Gloster Gladiator and Hawker Hart: In Combat with the Swedish Voluntary Wing F19, Finland 1940

2009-04-26T12:43:00.001+02:00

The Swedish author Mikael Forslund has written a book in English about the voluntary Swedish unit F 19, which took part in the Finnish-Soviet Winter War of 1939-40. This is a most welcome addition to the literature about the air war between Finland and Soviet Union in 1939-45 and this is the first time a Swedish author uses information from the Soviet side as well. The book is written in Mikael’s usual style with many images and individual profiles of all combat aircraft used by the unit.
Highly recommended!

Rating 5/5

The book is available directly from the author at http://www.mikaelforslundproduktion.com/4.html

Ki-43 ‘Oscar’ Aces of World War 2 (Aircraft of the Aces)

2009-04-15T21:10:00.001+02:00

Number 85 in Osprey’s Aircraft of the Aces series. This one is written by Hiroshi Ichimura, which is a new name to me but a most welcome one since Japanese writers writing or translated into English are rare. The Ki-43 is a subject that interest me much since I’m writing quite a lot about the Sino-Japanese air war and the type was very prominent from the summer of 1942 until the end of the war. This period is very good covered in the typical style of the series. Included are also the IJAAF operations with the type over Malaya, Burma, New Guinea and Philippines. It’s very nice to read a book written by a Japanese about a Japanese type since there is a lot of books covering these theatres but the are mostly written by US/British writers with focus on the Allied side of operations and the ‘other side of the hill’ is not well covered in English.
Recommended!

Rating 4/5

Available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1846034086/ref=sib_rdr_dp

P-36 Hawk Aces of World War 2 (Aircraft of the Aces) (2009)

2009-04-08T21:17:00.001+02:00

Number 86 in Osprey’s series ‘Aircraft of the Aces’ is written by Lionel Persyn, Kari Stenman and Andrew Thomas. The latter two is among my favourite writers while Persyn is new to me. The book is written in the typical Osprey style. The book covers the operational use of the P-36 in France, Finland, the UK, South Africa, and the US. The P-36 is not well-published and since I’ve previously mostly focused on the P-36 use in Finland much of the info is new to me. If you like the books in this series, this one is a nice addition.

Rating 4/5

The book is available from http://www.amazon.co.uk/P-36-Hawk-Aces-World-Aircraft/dp/1846034094/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239216403&sr=8-1

Air war in East Africa 1940-1941: The RAF versus the Italian Air Force

2009-04-04T08:32:00.001+02:00

I bought this book written by Jon Sutherland and Diane Canwell with high expectations since the subject is one of my big interests. Unfortunately I was very disappointed when I started to read it since the authors has not used any Italian sources in the book (and it seems also like they have not used any official RAF or SAAF records either). This means that the book by all means could have been written in the 50’s or 60’s when all books took the Allied claims for fact without verifying with the other side (i.e. prior “Fighter over the Desert”). C. Shores’ 13-year-old “Dust Clouds In the Middle East” is much better and if you have this book there is no need to buy “Air War East Africa 1940-1941”. The only ones I can recommend this book to is the ones who have never read anything about this conflict and still I would recommend to go for “Dust Clouds…” first.

Rating 2/5

The book is available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Air-War-East-Africa-1940-41/dp/1844158160/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238826110&sr=8-1

Nachtjagd War Diaries Vol 2 An Operational History of the German Night Fighter Force in the West, April 1944 - May 1945

2009-03-24T21:34:00.002+01:00

Part 2 of Dr. Theo Boiten’s masterpiece (this one written together with Roderick J. Mackenzie. The same comments goes for this volume as for volume 1 (see below). Unfortunately, there is no searchable index in the book which is a pity and somewhat limits the use of the book as a reference. However, volume 2 ends with and index on all Luftwaffe night-fighter pilots with one or more victories and their fate, which is most useable.
Recommended!

Rating 4/5

The book is available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nachtjagd-Diaries-Operational-History-Fighter/dp/1906592004/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237926481&sr=8-2

Nachtjagd War Diaries Vol 1 An Operational History of the German Night Fighter Force in the West, September 1939 - March 1944

2009-03-17T21:40:00.002+01:00

Dr. Theo Boiten has written an excellent book about the German night-fighter force during the Second World War. The book is a nice combination of detailed information of each night’s operations and lists with all German claims made during each night. All claims is also verified, if possible, with Allied losses. I like very much this kind of book with with day-by-day texts followed up with lists of the claims. The only thing I miss is an additional listing on the losses of the night-fighter force (like in Keskinen/Stenman’s Suomen Ilmavoimat series) and an index (but that is perhaps in Vol. 2, but that volume, I will order as soon as possible.
Recommended!

Rating 4/5

The book is available from: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nachtjagd-Diaries-Operational-History-September/dp/095547356X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237314700&sr=1-1

Ali D’Africa

2009-03-09T20:29:00.003+01:00

Exciting news!

During March, the book ”Ali D’Africa” will be available from Istituto Bibliografico Napoleone IBN.
This book is written by Michele Palermo and my friend and co-writer on this blog Ludovico Slongo and covers the 1o Stormo C.T. in North Africa from November 1941 to July 1942.
I have had the opportunity to read the manuscript and it’s very good with lots of interesting information. Still today, the best source to the air war over North Africa is Christopher Shores and Hans Ring’s now out-dated “Fighters over the desert” from 1969. In this book the Italian units is very poorly covered and almost all Allied combats/losses are verified against Luftwaffe records and the part taken by the Regia Aeronautica is neglected (must possible due to lack of sources at the time of writing). “Ali D’Africa” remedies this regarding the 1o Stormo and compares the unit’s combats with available Allied and Luftwaffe records showing that the Italian units played an important part on the Axis side.
This book is, to my knowledge, the first covering this period in detail written by Italian researchers/historians made available in English. This is a very important event!
The book is written in dual Italian/English and will cost € 18. It’s available for pre-orders from IBN@aviolibri.it

Rating 5/5

Catalina to Sweden

2009-03-01T21:24:00.002+01:00

Interesting news!
A Consolidated PBY-5A Cztalina is on its way to Sweden. It's a former Spanish waterbomer, which will be flown to Sweden during the spring/summer.
For more info see:
http://waterbomber.blogg.se/

Bagration to Berlin: The Final Air Battles in the East 1944-1945

2009-02-25T21:10:00.003+01:00

I’ve finished reading Christer Bergström’s “Bagration to Berlin’, which is his fourth and last book in his series about the air war over the Eastern Front in WWII for Classic Publications. This book covers the period from summer 1943 until May 1945. As with the three other books, this one is excellent, covering the operations from both sides. Together with the three others, it gives a very good overview of the air war on the Eastern Front and is a must for anyone interested in this area.

Rating 4/5

The book is available from Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bagration-Berlin-Final-Battles-1944-1945/dp/1903223911/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235592011&sr=8-1

Keith Park

2009-02-16T19:24:00.000+01:00

It seems like Sir Keith Park is on his way in from the 'cold': http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10556832

Frantisek Cyprich

2009-02-16T07:49:00.000+01:00

The Slovak fighter ace Frantisek Cyprich (http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/slovakia_cyprich.htm) passed away on 31 January 2009 as the last of the Slovak aces.
Cyprich has long been thought to be the last pilot to claim a biplane victory when he shot down a Ju 52 on 2 September 1944. However, during mine and Ludovico Slongo’s research for our CR.42 aces book we were in contact with the Hungarian researcher and historian Csaba Becze. His research has shown that one of the NSGr. 7’s pilots claimed a P-38 during combat on 8 February 1945. Unfortunately, his name is not known and nothing more remains about his identity in the existing documents. What is known is that the 14th FG lost two P-38s in this mission.
This combat seems to be the last biplane victory ever claimed.
For more info see: http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/falco_germany.htm

Aircraft over Sweden and Scandinavia

2009-02-12T21:34:00.001+01:00

A real cool page, which shows all aircraft in the air over Sweden and Scandinavia. It’s in Swedish but is really easy to understand – just click on one aircraft and you’ll see were it’s coming from (Från) and where it’s heading (Till), type, carrier, speed, height etc. Updated every 5th second!
http://www.flygradar.nu/karta.php

P-35A, AT-12 and P-66 in Swedish Service as J9, B6 and J10

2009-02-10T21:38:00.001+01:00

The Swedish author Mikael Forslund has written a new book and this time in English! In 1939-40, Sweden ordered 120 Seversky/Republic P-35s, 88 Seversky/Republic AT-12s and 144 Vultee Vanguards but due to an U.S. embargo on export of armament due to the ongoing war only 60 P-35s and 2 AT-12s were delivered to Sweden. The book covers the use of these aircraft in Sweden were they were put in hard use. The book has a multitude of pictures and covers the fate of all of the aircraft.
Nice effort to cover a couple of unusual aircraft in a small Air Force and highly recommended!

Rating 4/5

The book is available directly from Mikael at: http://www.mikaelforslundproduktion.com/4.html or from Amazon.

Militærhistorie

2009-02-10T19:27:00.001+01:00

A recommended military magazine from Norway. Unfortunately it only in Norwegian but if you’re a ‘Scandinavian’ it well worth to have a look at this well-produced magazine!

http://www.mht.no

Searching the CWGC more easily

2009-02-08T22:19:00.000+01:00

Well hidden inside a site about crypts is this nice little page, which helps you search through the CWGC (http://www.cwgc.org/ ) for a specific unit.
A very useful tool!

http://www.hut-six.co.uk/cgi-bin/search39-47.php

Giuseppe Ruzzin

2009-02-08T12:19:00.001+01:00

I’ve been reached by the sad news that Giuseppe Ruzzin (http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/italy_ruzzin.htm) passed away on 6 February 2009.
Giuseppe Ruzzin was one of the first pilots I managed to get in contact with when I started to research biplane fighters aces more than 10 years ago when he kindly replied on an mail from about his experience during the Spanish Civil War.

Italian-French air war in June 1940

2009-02-03T07:36:00.001+01:00

An interesting topic on the TOCH-forum - http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=15850 regarding the Italian-French air war in June 1940. On my site, I have the following pilots making claims during this period:

13 June
Teresio Martinoli - http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/italy_martinoli.htm
Dino Carta - http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/italy_carta.htm

15 June
Anelli, Giulio - http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/italy_anelli.htm (the whole action on 15 June is described on this page and respectively pilots page)
Benassi, Bruno
Benedetti, Mario
Bobba, Guido
Bodini, Virginio
Bortolini, Gaetano
Caselli, Nino
Clerici, Lorenzo
Colombo, Francesco
Daverio, Mario
Ferrari, Giovanni
Fibbia, Guido
Fratini, Delfino
Garfagnoli, Pietro
Gatti, Franco
Giuntella, Giulio Cesare
Giuntella, Giulio Cesare
Graffer, Giorgio
Grillo, Giacomo
Guidi, Ugo
Lazzari, Antonio
Lodi, Gino
Lolli, Carlo
Longhi, Felice
Magaldi, Nicola
Mariotti, Luigi
Marzocca, Raffaele
Molinari, Eduardo
Negri, Giovanni
Pacini, Achille
Parmiggiani, Eudo
Pasquetti, Luigi
Pongiluppi, Virgilio
Pratelli, Rolando
Rolando, Fortunato
Rossi, Paolo
Ruzzin, Giuseppe
Salvadori, Giuseppe
Salvi, Eugenio
Sozzi, Felice
Spigaglia, Alberto
Squassoni, Felice
Stefani, Emilio
Tessari, Arrigoto
Viola, Natale
Vosilla, Ferrucio
Zotti, Bruno
Zuffi, Giuseppe Enrico

23 June
Clizio Nioi - http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/italy_nioi.htm

If anyone can provide additional info on this period, please feel free to contact me!

The Red Baron

2009-02-02T19:13:00.002+01:00

New techniques (CGI) bring new possibilities to do films with aircraft not available any longer. “The Red Baron” from 2008 is one example of this and as an aviation and movie enthusiast, I’m always eagerly awaits new aviation movies. Unfortunately this movie suffers from the same problem as “Flyboys” from 2007, in that the massed scenes with aircraft in the air isn’t convincing, this both from directional and technical aspects. However, the movie points in the right direction and hopefully the CGI technique will improve quickly and that a good director comes along, who can make an aviation movie that truly competes with “The Battle of Britain” from 1969 as the best aviation movie.

Rating 3/5

Since Peter Jackson (“Lords of the Rings”) is a big aviation fan, perhaps he would be the right one to do a real epic about/with aviation?

Photos

2009-02-01T22:08:00.002+01:00

I’m looking for photos from the Commonwealth Air Forces (RAF, RAAF and SAAF) in North Africa and Greece during the period 1940-41 for a couple of book projects. Any contributions would be most welcome!

A History of Chinese Aviation

2009-01-31T10:50:00.002+01:00

Lennart Andersson is a Swedish historian/researcher, who’s an expert on the period between the wars. Recently he published “A History of Chinese Aviation: Encyclopedia of Aircraft and Aviation in China until 1949”.
Highly recommended about a topic which is difficult to find info on.

Rating 4/5

The book is available through: http://z-bok.se/InEnglish.html

Suomen Ilmavoimat

2009-01-29T20:41:00.004+01:00

I received part six of Keskinen/Stenman’s excellent “Suomen Ilmavoimat” recently. This dual language series is a must if you’re interested in Finnish Air Force during the Second World War!

Rating 5/5

The books are available from http://www.kolumbus.fi/kari.stenman/

2009-01-29T11:06:00.007+01:00

In an interesting discussion at the TOCH forum a interesting link turned up:
http://www.maxwell.af.mil/au/aul/aupress/
At this site several interesting books are available for download as pdf.

My blogg

2009-01-29T10:10:00.003+01:00

This is an attempt to start a blogg about aviation (and other) matters slightly out of the scope of my site, to promote good books, interesting web-sites etc.

/Håkan