 Vickers
Viscount
Airliner Tech Series Volume 11
By Robin Macrae Dunn
Specialty Press, 2004
ISBN 1-58007-065-5
Softbound, 104 Pages
Available from Specialty Press for $16.95
Airline afficianados have another volume from Specialty Press to consider
for their bookshelf. This one is about the Vickers Viscount. If you're
familiar with the series, you know what to expect. What? You haven't seen
the Airliner Tech series yet? If you like or love airliners, it's a must
have. Not just this volume, the entire series. In line with the rest of
the series, the Vickers Viscount volume gives you 104 8 1/2" x 11"
between semi-stiff (softbound) covers. Profusely illustrated, you'll find
250 b&w photos and 25 color photos.
Claiming a richly deserved place in commercial aviation history as the
world's first turboprop airliner -and making 'Rolls-Royce Dart' a virtual
household name with just about any aviation nut - ahem, enthusiast, the
aircraft served for 50 years before it was supplanted by the jet age.
All of this information, in great detail, and more is found within the
covers of the book.
It starts as it should with the initial concepts and early developments.
Yet another chapter deals with the construction details of the aircraft
and includes many photos of assembly stages along with detail cutaway
drawings. Other chapters focus on developments of the basic aircraft,
including increasing it's range and ultimately stretching the aircraft
to increase it's payload
Day to day operations are covered in detail and that's where you'll
find the color shots. Modelers who like to build up collections of an
airliner subject in various livery will love this section because it includes
beautiful views of airlines that either no longer exist or are rarely
seen. For example: Bahamas; Iraqi Airways; Sudan Airways; Pluna; South
African Airways; Bouraq and Scottish Airways.
You'll also find four appendices. Appendix A uses three pages to list
all Vickers Type Numbers. Moving on to Appendix B, it's single page provides
specifications on all variants. Appendix C is a two page Model Kit Guide
(written by yours truly) dealing with what Viscount models have been produced
and how hard or easy they are to find. Finally, Appendix D consumes one
page with Significant Dates.
I doubt that you'll be able to find all this information in a single
volume anywhere else, especially at the $16.95 price tag this one carries,
so why try? Pick one up from your favorite bookstore or hobby shop. Or
order one from their website (you
can also call them at 1-800-895-4585). Be aware that if you choose this
option, there's a $4.95 shipping and handling fee per order (not per book).
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