Type of bind: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 358.4183
EAN num: 9780517459935
ISBN number: 0517459930
Label: Crescent
Manufacturer: Crescent
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 632
Printing Date: September 02, 1987
Publishing house: Crescent
Release Date: September 02, 1987
Sale Popularity Level: 427748
Studio: Crescent
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
A remarkable overview of World War II aviation encompasses more than four hundred full-colour photographs and illustrations, twenty-four foldout panels, detailed cutaway views, and authoritative profiles of twelve aircraft that changed the course of the war.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers -
I fell in love with this book when I was 10 years old, and I can say without hesitation that I owe my subsequent fascination with military history directly from thumbing through its pages at that early age. The other reviewers are not exaggerating, this book is THE BIBLE of WWII aviation. The aircraft profiled, though limited to 12 key models, are wisely chosen, all having had an enormous impact on the war, being in service through most, if not all, of the conflict, and all being instumental in their nations war efforts (and final victory as in the case of the Allied machines).
This book occupies a proud space on my bookshelf, and every now and then I will take it down and nostaligically thumb through its slightly worn pages. It never gets old. If this book was $300 it would still be a good buy.
What really takes the cake is without a doubt the full colour fold outs by Watanabe. If you can find better ones elsewhere I am Kaiser Willhelm! The planes practically leap out at you; every screw, nut, and bolt is there. On several profiles the detail is so astounding you can see the oil streaks on the engine cowling and the weathered paint at the wing root where the pilot would have stepped time and again to climb into his cockpit and zoom into history.
Even if you only have a passing interest in WWII, you must buy this book. Do it now, before it is too late!
Rated by buyers -
My parents bought me this book when i was just a kid probably 25 years ago. It's one of my treasured possessions and was a foundational part of my lifelong love of history. Like some of the other reviewers, I will NEVER let this book out of my possession. Even those with no appreciation for aircraft history (e.g. my wife) are blown away by this book. This truly is one of the most unusual books I've ever read, in that it effectively teaches thru unbelievable art. This is out there, but I think it's akin to looking thru daVinci's sketches on anatomy. The massive foldouts are worth the price alone. If you've got a WWII-era aviation buff around, this will forever put you in their good graces.
Rated by buyers -
I think that everything has been said if you read the other reviews but it was not possible for me not to tell my happiness when I discover it in reality. I was relly surprised about the beautiful illustrations and the size of this book, it's simply HUGE !
A must-have for any aircraft enthusiast.
Rated by buyers -
I bought this book new from the Smithsonian Museum bookstore when I was just a kid. Now some 20-odd years later it still sits on the shelf right behind my desk, and I still frequently comb through its pages with the same enthusiasm I had when it was new. I will never let this book out of my possesion.
It's so valuable to me I had to find another copy for my business partner and fellow R/C fanatic so that he wouldn't have to keep borrowing mine! ;D ...that's why I decided to drop my 2-cents in here.
If you are an airplane buff, or more importantly, if you have any passion for the top planes of WWII, this book is not optional. You MUST have it. Period. Once you open it, you will understand what I am saying.
Rated by buyers -
If you enjoy WWII aircraft, and appreciate the breath taking detail and accuracy of Rikyu Watanabe illustrations, you must have this book. I found my copy 3 years ago at OshKosh, and have been offered (...)for it - no way was I parting with it. It is, without question, the finest piece of reference / art work on these 12 aircraft I have ever seen. Vet, IFR Priv. pilot, R/C aircraft modeler.
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