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| If you are into Grumman's WWII aircraft, then this title will make a great addition to your library. Number 68 in the Famouse Airplanes of the World (FAOW) series, this book covers all the variants of the Wildcat, from the prototype to the FM-2 and Martlets. As with just about any book on a WWII aircraft type, the color section is thin, with most of the color pictures being of restored F4Fs. There are some pictures of wartime F4Fs in glorious color, including one of an FAA Martlet. The real meat of the book, though, is in the black and white pictures. Everything from the silver doped prototypes to the dark blue FM-2s is depicted in clear photos. All the text is in Japanese, but the phrase "a picture says a thousand words" is definitely true here. At the end of the book is a series of scale drawings showing all the major marks of the Wildcat and Martlet. Overall, this is another great book in the FAOW series. Chris Banyai-Riepl Famous Airplanes of the World No. 68 Review sample purchased from Aviation Usk. |  |
| What a surprise to find this book on my doorstep one day. I really didn't know much about the book when I ordered it, so I didn't know what to expect. What I got was an incredible reference book on all the Victoria Cross airmen of the First World War. Each airman has his own chapter dedicated to him, and the detail that is given is simply astounding. From their early days in schools and colleges to their first flight training to the war, nothing is left out. The author goes to great lengths to provide an unbiased view of these pilots, and has relied on sources from both sides of the war. This approach brings some interesting points out in the lives of these brave men, including some that aren't especially polite to the VC holder. From early 1915 and William B. Rhodes-Moorhouse to after the end of the war with Edward Mannock, each aviator's story is told in words and pictures. To top off this excellent book, there are profiles of each VC aircraft beautifully done by Bob Pearson, who's Voodoos are in this month's issue. If you have even a passing interest in the First World War, this is definitely well worth adding to your library. Chris Banyai-Riepl Victoria Cross | 
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