If you thrill to the sound - er, music - of those mighty radial engines of the 1940s that powered spectacular bombers, transports, and patrol aircraft, this book is a "must have." Feast your eyes on these beautiful airplanes and the superb photography with which they are captured, and let your imagination wander. You will find examples of the Consolidated B-24 Liberator (with a PB-4Y Privateer thrown in for good measure), the Boeing B-17, the Douglas A-26 Invader, the Fairchild C-23 Provider, the Grumman HU-16 Albatross, the Lockheed P-2V Neptune, the Consolidated-Vultee (Convair) PBY Catalina, the Grumman S-2 tracker, and (saving the best for last) several versions of Lockheed's Constellation.
Each of these magnificent flying machines has been resurrected from a dilapidated or abandoned hulk, as the "before and after" pictures so starkly demonstrate. Graham Robson describes each aircraft and its history, along with other related and fascinating facts. Included are spectacular air-to-air shots, as well as a few interior and cockpit photos.
My criticisms are few. First, not every surviving and airworthy bomber has been included. For example, I would have like to have seen a picture or two of the following B-17s: Yankee Lady, Fuddy Duddy, and a Bit O' Lace. I am also surprised that the B-25 Mitchell (e.g., Executive Briefing and Yankee Warrior) is not mentioned at all. I also wish the two surviving Avro Lancasters (the one owned by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum and the other operated by the Battle of Britain Memorial) had been included. Second, if you like transports such as the Curtiss C-46, Douglas C-47 and C-54, Consolidated C-87 (disguised as B-24D Diamond Lil), and Junkers Ju-52, you will have to turn elsewhere. Fortunately, there is Graham Robson's follow-up book, Propliner Renaissance to cover most of that ground.
Nevertheless, for anyone who loves these wonderful old planes, I am happy to recommend this book with two thumbs up.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from other countries
Antoine Roberto
lovely coffee table book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 6, 2014Irish Transport Books
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 13, 2016