Breguet 14

Windsock Datafile Special
By Alan D. Toelle
Albatros Productions, Ltd., 2003
ISBN 1-902207-61-0
Softbound, 80 Pages
Available from Roll Models for $41.00

Reviewed by Matt Bittner

While little has been written on the Breguet 14, it was actually a very important aircraft during the First World War and immediately after. With approximately 5000 built during and after the war, it was a type produced in large enough quantity and generally liked by it's pilots.

This particular Datafile Special has been wanted by many people for quite a long time. While I think it may have been announced close to two years ago, it was definitely worth the wait. On the first few pages Mr. Toelle says of how he wanted to show primarily the war-time Breguets in terms of the "external and differentiating features". He does this to a wonderful degree.

The first thing that hits you when you open the book are the excellent color profiles. These color plates adorn not only the inside and outside, front and back covers, but there are also eight more pages inside with more color.

In the book you learn not only how many were produced, by each manufacturer, but you also learn about all of the different nose types and which engines they flew with. There are close up photos of the various gun rings on the observer's cockpit, bombs and their bomb racks, as well as some close-up photos of areas where rigging is attached. There are also close up photos of the various noses.

If I had to complain - and with this type of book, long in coming, I almost don't want to - it would be in two areas. First, all of the captions contain numbers that are supposed to go along with the photos. Unfortunately those numbers don't exist on the photos. While some captions state things like "upper left", "lower right, next page" some don't and it can be confusing. My last complaint actually borders on personal tastes. All of the Datafile Specials up to this one included scale drawings of some sort. Unfortunately this one doesn't, and it would really help to show the different noses/engine configurations side by side. However, I do realise that adding drawings of this magnitude would probably have delayed the book, so in the end I'm more happy the book is published than I am with included drawings. Maybe there could be an addendum at some point with the drawings included.

Do not let these small points dissuade you from purchasing this book. It's the only book so far on the Breguet 14 and it was sorely needed. Even with the high price the book is worth every penny and it comes highly recommended.