Stephen H. King

[Varese2002]

Recently I discovered this book of Stephen H. King about the Antoinette airplanes. It is just out and I did not knew about it Without hesitation I immediately ordered it. Are there people on the Forum who have the book already ?



More information at http://www.hubertlathamwindkiller.com/Index.htm.

Kees

[Varese2002]

Although this book has a subject that was history before the Great War started in earnest in 1914, I like to add a few words to this remarkably well written book about pre-1914 French aviation history.

The subject of the book are the machines dreamt up by Léon Levavasseur, who leaps off the pages of this book as a genius with eccentricities. He was the man who designed the Antoinette engines and the Antoinette monoplanes and drove everybody (and himself) like mad to realize the designs. He was the typical perfectionist, only the best was good enough for his aeroplanes. His machines were really works of art. An example of the machine can still be seen in the Musée de l'Air in Paris.
With amazement one reads the scene in the book about the revolutionary futuristic Monobloc monoplane 'competing' in the 1911 French military trials.

Writing about the Antoinettes dreamt up by Levavasseur also evokes naturally the master dandy flyer Hubert Latham. He gets also full coverage in this book, with as highlight the two abortive Channel flights (Blériot came first though.......).

This book gives a fine account of pre-1914 flying, especially as the writer Stephen H. King has unearthed a lot of illustrations (some of the l'Aérophile collection now in the Library of Congress). These pictures are splendidly represented, most of them belying their almost 100 year age.

A unique book, which is a must read / have for everybody interested in this period of early aviation.

Mr. King has a website with additional pictures and postcards related to the Antoinettes and Hubert Latham here. Also his first book the Windkiller is covered there.

Kees

[Pips]

Certainly one for my Christmas list. Sounds an excellent read.

[mriccio]

A must read, for sure...

I am particularly interested in the Antoinette engines and the Antoinette monoplanes.