Category: History / Research

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New Book Offers First Comprehensive Study of WW2 Soviet Fighters by Native English Speaker

Among the latest releases from Fonthill Media is Jason Moore’s Soviet Fighters of the Second World War, which “details the development of the Red Air Force fighters, from the dark days of Operation Barbarossa, to eventual triumph over the ruins of Berlin.”

Starting with obsolete aircraft such as the Polikarpov biplane and monoplane fighters, the Soviets then settled on two main lines of development; the inline-engined LaGG-3 and its radial-engined derivatives, the La-5 and La-7, and the inline-engined Yakovlev fighters, which were produced in greater numbers than any other series of fighters. Not only are these aircraft described in great detail, but experimental fighters are also dealt with. In addition to the descriptions, accurate color profiles are provided illustrating the evolution of these aircraft in terms of design, camouflage, and markings. From the fixed undercarriage I-15bis biplane of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, to the superb La-7 and Yak-3 fighters of the last year of the war, the fighters of the Red Air Force are all covered in this comprehensive book.

The 416 page book is described as “the first comprehensive reference work on Soviet fighters of the Second World War written by a native English speaker.” It utilizes “the most up-to-date research” to produce a “stunningly accurate” record with “previously unpublished color profiles.” It includes 192 black-and-white and 85 colour illustrations.

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New Book Details All 46 Unclassified Skunk Works Projects From WW2 On

In his new book 75 years of the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, author James C. Goodall details the 46 unclassified programs developed by the Lockheed’s legendary Skunk Works, forming a pictorial history that takes the reader from the middle part of World War II, through the Korean War, the shoot down of Francis Gary Powers on May 1, 1960, the Vietnam War, Desert Shield/Storm and beyond.

This pictorial journey will take the reader from the very beginning of the Skunk Works’ very first project (XP-80 Shooting Star) and follow the program through prototype build-up, first flight and, if they reached the frontline, operational service. This treatment will be repeated for each of the 30 unclassified program designed and built by the Skunk Works. Each program will form a chapter of at least two pages in length, with a maximum of 14 pages being allocated for programs that went into production and merit more detailed coverage, such as the P-80/F-94/T-33 family, C-130 family and, of course, the A-12 and SR-71

The title is illustrated with over a thousand photographs and drawings and spans 384 pages.

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“The Flying Machine” Spring 2021 Edition Now Available!

Aerodynamic Media, LLC is proud to announce the release of the 19th issue of The Flying Machine: Early Aero Quarterly.

Issue #19 Contents:

36 Pages – Wright Tour Guide: Examining Sites and Artifacts Connected to the Wright Brothers and the Birth of Powered Flight (Part 6); Spotlight: Shannon Air Museum’s Standard E-1; New Zealand Warbirds Association’s Siemens-Schuckert D.IV; News Briefs: Curtiss Jenny Reproduction Returns Home After 15 Years, PFM’s New Acquisitions; Products

The Flying Machine focuses exclusively on “aeroplanes” manufactured prior to 1920, as well as the current work of historians, builders, restorers, museums and collectors to preserve and promote interest in the early years of flight. Published in print and digital formats, The Flying Machine is offered on a pay-per-issue basis – no subscription required!

Join us as we pay tribute to early aircraft and the visionaries, geniuses and daredevils who conquered the air while producing some of the most fascinating, ingenious and beautiful machines in aviation’s short history. Click here to purchase!

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Surprise Special Issue Release! – Time Flies: Aviation’s Golden Age

As a new year surprise for our readers, Aerodynamic Media. LLC offers TIME FLIES: a special edition journal focused on aircraft connected to the golden age of aviation (1920s and 30s). The newly released issue offers history, aircraft reproduction and restoration project reports, as well as new / upcoming product releases. TIME FLIES is the sister publication of Aerodynamic Media’s quarterly journal THE FLYING MACHINE, which focuses on pre-1920 aircraft.

Contents: Special Edition (2021): 40 Pages – The Curious History of the Chanute Sailplane; Craftlab’s Klemm 20 B Project; Saving the Potomac Pacemaker (DC-3); News Briefs: Savoia-Marchetti S.79 Tail Surfaces Undergoing Restoration for Display, Ryan ST Reborn in Kit Form, The Definitive Reproduction NYP: The Spirit of St. Louis by JNE; Products

Click here to check out our full selection!

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“The Flying Machine” Winter 2021 Edition Now Available!

Aerodynamic Media, LLC is proud to announce the release of the 18th issue of The Flying Machine: Early Aero Quarterly.

Issue #18 Contents:

36 Pages – Wright Tour Guide: Examining Sites and Artifacts Connected to the Wright Brothers and the Birth of Powered Flight (Part 5); Running the 80 hp Le Rhône 9C; Spotlight: Racette Blériot XI-2; News Briefs: Air Zoo Wright Flyer Returns Home, Petrov Curtiss JN-4 Canuck Project, Golden Age Air Museum SPAD XIII Project Update; Products

The Flying Machine focuses exclusively on “aeroplanes” manufactured prior to 1920, as well as the current work of historians, builders, restorers, museums and collectors to preserve and promote interest in the early years of flight. Published in print and digital formats, The Flying Machine is offered on a pay-per-issue basis – no subscription required!

Join us as we pay tribute to early aircraft and the visionaries, geniuses and daredevils who conquered the air while producing some of the most fascinating, ingenious and beautiful machines in aviation’s short history. Click here to purchase!

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Now Available: “The Flying Machine” Fall 2020 Edition And More!

Aerodynamic Media, LLC is proud to announce the release of the 17th issue of The Flying Machine: Early Aero Quarterly.

Issue #17 Contents:

36 Pages – Building and Flying Fokker D.VII N7756J; Craftlab Updates (Part 2): A Historic Flight; Spotlight: SAM / VAM SPAD VII B9913; News Briefs: Boscombe Down Aviation Collection Opens New Royal Flying Corps Exhibition, Mazer Fokker Dr.1 Project Update, Shaw Sopwith Camel Project Update; Products

We also have two additional new releases, including The Flying Machine 2020 Collection, featuring all four issues released this year, and our new 2021 calendar:

The Flying Machine 2021 Calendar compiles 12 beautiful, full-color photos of early aircraft located around the world, with a focus on some of the outstanding reproductions and restorations that have been featured in The Flying Machine journal during its first four years of publication. The calendar measures approx 11″ x 14″ (closed).

All of our new releases are now available in print and digital format from our online store. Click here to check them out, along with our complete selection of resources!

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WW1 French Pilot Photo Album With 260 Photos Offered For Sale

A “large, 38 x 30cm” WW1 photo album is available for sale. According to the listing, the album contains “260 original WW1 photos, plus 15 loose photos” and belonged to to Adjutant André Marie de Limur 25th Dragoons, later Escadrille N49 and N89.

The album reportedly contains only WW1 photos (1914-16), and starts off with Limur’s service in the Army in 1914 – 15. The listing states (in part):

There are a couple of aircraft photos earlier in the album (Pegoud’s), however its not until we get to photo 86 onwards that photos are of the Limur’s aviation service. However from here onwards almost everything is aviation. Initially, photos seem to be of training, lots of shots of various two seaters types; Voisen, Caudron, Nieuport’s, FBA seaplanes.., fellow pilots, machine gun and gunnery practice etc. However by photo 162, the Limur has clearly been assigned to a fighter squadron and by 166 is the first mention of Escadrille N49. From here onwards the album contents is all N49 with a large number of shots of Nieuport Scouts and the squadron’s fighter pilots; many of whom are named, some of whom are Aces. The is a great number of variation in uniforms and insignia; the pilots coming from different regiments and corps; visiting dignitaries, medals being worn, lots of candid shots of pilots at rest and leisure, crashes, 7 aerial photos, etc. There are some great shots of Nieuport XI’s on the airfields and looks like N49 had several Nieuport XII too, indeed one shot has Limur standing next to one with ‘FOC’ painted on it.

Loose photos also reportedly feature “a couple of” Spad VIIs as well. The album is located in the UK and is currently being offered for £2,195. Click here to check out the complete listing on eBay. A previously featured German pilot photo album is also available in a separate listing.

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“The Flying Machine” Summer 2020 Edition Now Available!

Aerodynamic Media, LLC is proud to announce the release of the 16th issue of The Flying Machine: Early Aero Quarterly.

Issue #16 Contents:

36 Pages – New Zealand Warbirds Association’s New Bristol Fighter; Craftlab Updates; Avro Student Pilot and Draughtsman: S.V. Setty; Pfalz D.VIII Takes Flight; Spotlight: Air Zoo Sopwith Camel; News Briefs: Fokker D.VII Reproduction Performs Maiden Flight, National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Begins Restoration of Thomas-Morse Scout; Products

The Flying Machine focuses exclusively on “aeroplanes” manufactured prior to 1920, as well as the current work of historians, builders, restorers, museums and collectors to preserve and promote interest in the early years of flight. Published in print and digital formats, The Flying Machine is offered on a pay-per-issue basis – no subscription required!

Join us as we pay tribute to early aircraft and the visionaries, geniuses and daredevils who conquered the air while producing some of the most fascinating, ingenious and beautiful machines in aviation’s short history. Click here to purchase!

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For Sale: “WW1 German Pilot Photo Album” With Approx. 240 Images

A “WW1 German pilot photo album” reportedly containing approximately 240 images has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Very large hardbound photo album about 50 x 34 cm, with approximately 240 photos on carton type pages. Photos range in size from 5 x 5cm to very large 35 x 27cm! All photos are very sharp and in great condition. Each page is protected by a clear divider page and this has probably helped keep the photos in such good condition. The content of the album is excellent, though as the photos are not labelled, bar a few faintly in pencil, the unit is not clear though appears to be FA 290b and the photos date from 1918, certainly pilots graves seem to be from this unit and thoses pilots or observer badges that are clear enough, are Bavarian. Continue reading For Sale: “WW1 German Pilot Photo Album” With Approx. 240 Images

Please Note: This post contains an eBay affiliate link. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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“The Flying Machine” Spring 2020 Edition Now Available!

Aerodynamic Media, LLC is proud to announce the release of the 15th issue of The Flying Machine: Early Aero Quarterly.

Issue #15 Contents:

36 pages – Skinning a Camel; Lycoming to Le Rhône: Converting and Flying a Rotary-Powered Fokker Dr.1; Spotlight: TVAL’s New Fokker D.VII; News Briefs: Hiller Aviation Museum’s New Fokker Dr.1 Goes on Display, Brian Coughlin’s Fokker Dr.1 Project, Brian Coughlin’s Sopwith Camel Project; Products

The Flying Machine focuses exclusively on “aeroplanes” manufactured prior to 1920, as well as the current work of historians, builders, restorers, museums and collectors to preserve and promote interest in the early years of flight. Published in print and digital formats, The Flying Machine is offered on a pay-per-issue basis – no subscription required!

Join us as we pay tribute to early aircraft and the visionaries, geniuses and daredevils who conquered the air while producing some of the most fascinating, ingenious and beautiful machines in aviation’s short history.

Click here to purchase!