Italian Aces of World War I, Paolo Varriale

Gregvan · 7 September 2009, 08:19 AM

Hi All,

Since the other threads mentioning this book are closed, I guess I'll start a new one.

I received my copy of this highly-anticipated book a few days ago, and can only say, "Wow! Well done Paolo!"

Italian Aces of World War 1 follows the usual format of the Osprey 'Aircraft of the Aces' series, but is even more packed with info and photos than usual. It contains(admittedly brief) biographies of every one of the 42 Italian pilots who became aces, with an annotated list of their victories, awards and their ultimate (and often saddening) fates. Paolo has contacted the families of most of the aces described in the book, and has drawn from a host of unpublished letters, diaries and rare photos to bring the human qualities of these men to life for the reader. He has packed an incredible amount of information into Osprey's small format.

Some of you will immediately ask, "If I already have the huge Schiffer book on Italian aces - also by Paolo Varriale, along with Roberto Gentilli and Antonio Iozzi - why do I need this new, and much smaller, book?" It's a good question. Of course, the massive Schiffer tome (495 pages, as opposed to the Osprey's 104) contains much more information and more photos than the new book. However, in the intervening 6 years or so since the first book's publication, Paolo has uncovered even more rare photos and marvelous tidbits of information. While the color profiles and planforms in the Osprey book are necessarily fewer in number than those in the Schiffer volume, in my personal opinion Harry Dempsey's work (in the Osprey book) is superior and not to be missed. The new book contains 32 superb profiles and 8 planform views, carefully executed to Paolo's exacting details and research - including Nieuport 11s and 17s, Hanriot H.D.1's, Spad VIIs and XIIIs as well as magnificent Macchi M.5 flying boats.

Yes, inevitably and unavoidably, many photos are to be found in both books. However, a few of these are actually of better quality in the new book, and Paolo offers some new photos as well.

In my opinion, the Osprey book is a VERY affordable and handy little book on the intruiguing aces of Italy and their stunningly beautiful aircraft (and it sits on your lap a lot easier than the Schiffer tome!). My recommendation would be to get BOTH the Schiffer book and this new one, if you can.

Greg

Kirk · 7 September 2009, 02:38 PM

Great. Just great. I get Pusher Aces yesterday and less than 24 hours later I find out there's another new book I have to buy. That's OK though. The kids can miss eating for a day or two.

Gregvan · 7 September 2009, 07:01 PM

Hey Kirk! Don't forget this one, coming very soon:

Amazon.com: No 56 Sqn RAF/RFC (Aviation Elite Units) (9781846034282): Alex Revell, Harry Dempsey: Books

Or this one:

Amazon.com: SE 5a vs Albatros D V: Western Front 1917-18 (Duel) (9781846034718): Jon Guttman, Jim Laurier, Harry Dempsey: Books

Maybe your kids can fast a day or two more.

Thomas Trauner · 8 September 2009, 02:13 AM

Thank you Greg, for bringing up this topic.

First of all:
La ringrazio, Paolo, che avete fatto il vostro lavoro !

(Thanks, Paolo, for doing all that work).

I always loved the colourful Italian planes and wondered a bit about their aces beside of Baracca and Ruffo.
This book is really very well made and provides a lot of information for this part of WWI history.
For me, a lot of details are much clearer now, even the question why the Italians had this baffling mix-up of two different roundels....

I´m really glad that Osprey still provide us with this series and I hope some more will come.

Andare a prendere il libro!

Thomas

steven brown · 8 September 2009, 09:26 AM

I agree that this book is excellent.I was startled to learn from it that between 15 and 24 june 1918, the Italians inflicted so many losses on the Austrians that they ( the Austrians ) lost 41% of their aircraft, 22% of their pilots and 19% of their observers. The Italian fighter force was obviously quite powerful by 1918. The history of the Italian air war seems like a neglected subject which this book helps rectify. An outstanding job by the author.

Balloon_Buster · 11 September 2009, 07:25 PM

I must say that one aspect of the war that I'm not up on is the Italian-Austrian Front. I've mainly concentrated on the Western Front. But I will eventually add this to my ever growing Osprey collection- after I've eaten!

JohnFitz · 12 September 2009, 06:53 AM

Hi Greg, Just wondering if there is anything in the wind about a new Austro-Hungarian fighters and particularly the Phoenix DI-II book? Otherwise, could you recommend one for the Phoenix? I have the excellent and huge,

Austro-Hungarian Army Aircraft Of World War One book. Sadly it doesn't contain any color profiles. I also have the Osprey, Austro-Hungarian Aces of World War 1 book. Cheers.
John

Gregvan · 12 September 2009, 09:19 AM

Hi JohnFitz,

Just who would you suggest who could write such a book? Maybe you should write one for Osprey yourself!

Actually, the first edition of Austro-Hungarian Army Aircraft of World War One had wonderful color profiles by Alan Durkota based on information from Dr. Martin O'Connor. However, Pete Grosz didn't want any color profiles in the second edition.

You really need to look at Marty O'Connor's wonderful Air Aces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire 1914-1918, but I realize that copies of this are difficult to find and very expensive (I think there's one on ebay right now?). Of course, Osprey did publish a book by Chant entitled Austro-Hungarian Aces of World War I which was based uncomfortably closely on Marty's book. It has a few profiles of Phoenix D.I's and D.II's.

Marty did a lengthy and terrific series on Austro-Hungarian aircraft camouflage and markings which appeared in many issues of Cross & Cockade Great Britain, starting in 1986.

Good luck,

Greg

JohnFitz · 12 September 2009, 09:58 AM

Hi Greg, I am flattered that you suggest I write a book

Of course I could not possibly do anything like you or Dr. O'Connor. The reason I have balked at buying the first A-HAA of WW1 book is because I have learned that the colors are in question. I also have learned that it really doesn't matter much in the model world as long as you have supporting documentation. I have learned a lot doing some research for my Aviatik 30.40 model build. If you haven't seen it you may take a look at "flying models". Dan-San and Koloman Mayrhofer were of major help. I think you may be the only one who could do a book on Austro-Hungarian aircraft that would be worth buying these days. Koloman probably has enough stuff to do a couple of good datafiles. I won't be holding my breath however. Thanks for your response. Cheers.
John

Barrett · 8 October 2009, 06:09 PM

Concur with Greg's assessment of the Osprey Italian aces book. A bit unusual from the normal Osprey format in that every ace's victories are listed in tabular format with enemy ID'd when possible--a Good Idea. I note that Varriale says some info is different from his previous tomes, which of course reflects ongoing research. Another Good Thing.

The colo(u)r profiles are terrific. Much more colo(u)rful than other allied markings.

Ref. the Austro-Hungarian books: Marty O'Connor was a dedicated researcher in a way I've seldom ever seen. But for him, we'd only know a fraction of the current info on A-H aces.

There are a few hardcover copies (Flying Machines Press) on Amazon between $113 and $1,039. Haven't seen an original Champlin Press copy in years. But I thoroughly enjoyed working with him at CFM Press.

Gotta agree w/Greg (again) that the Osprey title is a pale imitation. Reviewd on this site, BTW.