Air Stories — page 82: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

AIR STORIES books on aviation. It is the work of a well-known American airman, a former War-time ‘‘ ace ’’ of the Bulgarian Flying Corps, and though he makes extensive use of peculiarly American flying terms they are all now so familiar in this country as to present no difficulty to English readers. With the aid of some 425 technically-accurate drawings, the author first makes clear the basic principles of flight, then, step by step, takes the reader through a comprehensive course in flying instruction from the first flight to blind flying and aerobatics. This ‘‘ tabloid ’’ method of instruction affords a rapid grasp of the subject, and even the functions and working principles of such compli- cated instruments as the radio compass, the direc- tional gyro, the automatic pilot and the artificial horizon become obvious at a glance. The publishers credit the author with having incorporated in this book everything about flying that can possibly be taught by word and picture, and if this is rather too high a claim for anyone but a publisher to make, it may at least be agreed that this book probably comes nearer to achieving it than any yet published. AIR POWER ‘© The Royal Air Force’: By Air Vice- Marshal E. L. Gossage: William Hodge & Co. : 2s. 6d. THIS highly-topical little book is based on a series of lectures on Air Power which the author delivered at London University, and deals with the contribution of the Royal Air Force to our national security. It traces the development of Air Power from the epoch-marking day in July, 1917, when the first daylight air raid was launched on London, and goes on to discuss aviation’s part in conjunction with naval and military operations and in the defence of our coasts. Subsequent chapters deal with the réle of Air Power in the defence system of the Empire and in the present-day methods of safeguarding the British Isles against aerial invasion. Naturally so wide and complex a theme cannot fully be dealt with in the scope of four lectures, but this book serves admirably as an introduction to a subject of which every taxpayer, and certainly every member of the rising generation, should have, at least, a sound general knowledge. And certainly there can be few men better qualified to write of the R.A.F.’s contribution to the defence of England and the Empire than Air Vice-Marshal Gossage, who, after extensive administrative experience of the Royal Air Force overseas, is now, as the Air officer commanding No. 11 (Fighter) Group, in charge of those fighter squadrons upon which the Empire’s capital would largely rely for its defence in the event of aerial attack. ACES OF FRANCE “French War Birds’’?: By “‘ Vigilant” : John Hamilton: 8s. 6d. A COMPANION volume to the same author’s ‘German War Birds,’’ this is an enthralling account of some of the greatest, as well as some of the lesser-known, airmen who achieved ‘‘ ace- me *? in the French Air Service during the Great ar. To a large extent the stories of the French ‘* aces ’’ must be the history of that famous French scout squadron, Les Cigognes, or ‘‘ The Storks,’’ for at one time or another the names of most of France’s greatest air fighters were to be found on the roster of this squadron. In the several chapters which he devotes to ‘‘ The Storks,’’ ‘‘ Vigilant ’’ gives an intimate picture of the daily life of this great fighter unit, describing manners and customs altogether different from those that obtained among British and German airmen. Against this realistic background, there come to life again the historic figures of such heroes as Nungesser, ‘‘ somewhat pompous in manner, and likes to advertise himself both in the air and on the ground,’’ and who ‘‘ has a plate in his head and a false roof to his mouth, which makes him speak queerly’’; Duellin, ‘‘a typical cavalry- man,’’ who does not care how close he approaches an opponent and who delights in telling of the occasion when he came so near that ‘‘ the German pilot’s blood splashed his windscreen '’; Pere Brocard, the ‘‘ King Stork ’’ ; the delicate Guyne- mer, and a host of others no less famous. Nor were Frenchmen the only ones to bring fame to the records of Les Cigognes, for, more cosmo- politan than the R.F.C., the French Air Service accepted foreigners of almost any nationality, pro- vided their credentials were satisfactory. Thus, among ‘‘ The Storks,’’ there were a Japanese, Baron Chigueno ; two Russians, Brodowitch and Krutaigne ; a Chinaman, Tsu, who scored four victories, and Frank Baylies, an American and a former member of the Lafayette Squadron. Réne Fonck, Pierre and Jean Navarre and Roland Garros—the exploits of each one of whom would provide sufficient material tor a book more exciting than any fiction—are all dealt with at length, and their human weaknesses no less than their amazing skill and courage in action are well described. The result is a fascinating work that probably gives a better idea of War-time conditions in the French Air Service and a more intimate picture of the airmen whose names are now emblazoned in French history than any other book yet published in this country. MORE THAN A DIARY ‘The Airman’s Diary, 1938”: George Newnes and Letts Quikref Diaries Ltd: 1s. 6d. and 2s. 6d. THE 1938 edition of this popular diary has been vastly improved by the addition of a number of new articles to the preliminary matter, and the intro- duction of a 16-page photographic section showing the development of British aircraft from the time a the Grahame-White box-kite up to the present ay. The new matter includes articles on How to Join the R.A.F., a List of Air V.C.’s, and a Short History of the R.A.F. There are also all regular features of previous issues, such as the lists of R.A.F. Squdrons, Notable Flights and World Records, Flying Clubs and Schools, Aircraft and Engine Manufacturers, all of which have been brought right up-to-date. stantly useful diary for air-minded people of all ages. BOOKS RECEIVED The following new books will be reviewed in a subsequent number :— ‘“‘] Wanted Wings.” By Beirne Lay. Chapman & I'74 Altogether, a unique and con- . Hall, ros. 6d. ‘Air War.” By W. O’D. Pierce. Watts & Co., 2s. 6d. Connicloookxs.Conn