A Brief History Of The Royal Flying Corps In World War I

[Pips]

If only the histories of the German and French Air Services were available in the same style (and in English) as The Royal Flying Corps In World War One.

At least with Hostile Skies (by James Hudson) the USAS is well covered. And as good a read as Ralph Baker's book.

[CivvyCivvy]

Definitely one to get Kilian. His description of the original RFC in 1914 and their first few months of war are rivetting. As Pips says, if only there were books like this of the French and German Air Services. Very well written, and unputdownable.

[Breguet]

If you liked that book try:

Per Ardua - the Rise of British Airpower 1911 - 1939 - ST. GEORGE SAUNDERS, HILARY

This in fan-tas-tic. It is a 4 vol set (unfortuanately Hilary St George Sanders didn't get to finish it all before he died and it was finished by others) the 1st vol dealing with our period MOST comprehensively.

[ceaserhull]

Killian,

I must agree with all the positive comments and reccomendations about this book from fellow members - have had a copy for a number of years (got it from a second hand book shop in Hay-on Wye). Importantly it is well written researched and accessible - all at the same time. It covers all the key aspects of the development of the RFC. As another contributor commented would be good to have similair books available on the Germen and French Air forces.

Well worth buying.

[jerryle]

Get it quick - It's unavailable from Amazon UK and the cheapest through their linked sellers is over £30.

I missed one on ebay auction a few months back and ended up getting from an ebay trader for the £9.99 cover price.

I'm about a third of the way through and am enjoying it immensely - I like the way in which it draws attention to the key role of observation and the role of scouts in supporting the 2 seaters in that activity - I grew up getting the mistaken impression (from reading fiction) that WW1 was all about gladiatorial combat in single seaters!

As I said - get one a.s.a.p.

[Kilian]

Thanks jerryle for your concern. I just bought it from Ian Allan Publishing for £16.24 incl. air mail shipping, an unbeatable price for a brit import

There are several good offers in abebooks from Canada, $12 and $15 but shippnig was too high for me.

Kilian