Volume 26, Number 2
Book Review
Pfalz Scout Aces of World War I Pfalz Scout Aces of WWI
Greg VanWyngarden
Osprey Publishing
Soft cover, 96 pages
US $22.95
www.OspreyPublishing.com
Once again, from the delightful pen of author and WWI German Air Service expert Greg VanWyngarden, comes another bookshelf gem on our favorite topic.
Those of you who are familiar with Osprey’s excellent “Aircraft of the Aces” series will instantly recognize the format of this work. The 71st installment of this series is as fresh and unique as ever, bringing us yet another volume of work on an airplane that receives little fanfare and even less credit in history books.
Book Review
Pfalz Scout Aces of World War I Pfalz Scout Aces of WWI
Greg VanWyngarden
Osprey Publishing
Soft cover, 96 pages
US $22.95
www.OspreyPublishing.com
Once again, from the delightful pen of author and WWI German Air Service expert Greg VanWyngarden, comes another bookshelf gem on our favorite topic.
Those of you who are familiar with Osprey’s excellent “Aircraft of the Aces” series will instantly recognize the format of this work. The 71st installment of this series is as fresh and unique as ever, bringing us yet another volume of work on an airplane that receives little fanfare and even less credit in history books.
Pfalz was a major aircraft manufacturer in the Great War, but for reasons that still mystify, it was heavily overshadowed at every turn. The outstanding Pfalz DrI triplane will eternally live under the cloud of the Fokker DrI. The maneuverable Pfalz DIII and DIIIa series were workhorses in late 1917 but remain obscured by the more popular Albatros D series. Even in late 1918, the robust Pfalz DXII would fall into anonymity against the legendary Fokker DVII.
So to find a work – any work – dedicated to the airplanes produced by Pfalz is a treat. To find one that also includes the units and aces who flew it is extraordinary.
“Pfalz Scout Aces of WWI” follows the template set by previous “Aircraft of the Aces” installments by working chronologically, beginning with the monoplane E-types from Pfalz (yes, they built them) into the more familiar D series.
As always, the photos are interspersed with the text, sparing readers the frustrating experience of finding them grouped together in the middle of the book and nowhere near the relevant passage. The ten-page Color Plates section covers all major Pfalz productions and will make modelers drool over the color schemes and details.
But of course, every book is ultimately about people and this one is no exception. The stories, times and adventures of pilots including Werner Voss, Ernst Udet, Joachim von Hippel, Justus Grassman and many more are told in brief anecdotes and engaging short stories.
The material produced by Greg VanWyngarden is routinely excellent, and “Pfalz Scout Aces of World War I” maintains that standard.
So to find a work – any work – dedicated to the airplanes produced by Pfalz is a treat. To find one that also includes the units and aces who flew it is extraordinary.
“Pfalz Scout Aces of WWI” follows the template set by previous “Aircraft of the Aces” installments by working chronologically, beginning with the monoplane E-types from Pfalz (yes, they built them) into the more familiar D series.
As always, the photos are interspersed with the text, sparing readers the frustrating experience of finding them grouped together in the middle of the book and nowhere near the relevant passage. The ten-page Color Plates section covers all major Pfalz productions and will make modelers drool over the color schemes and details.
But of course, every book is ultimately about people and this one is no exception. The stories, times and adventures of pilots including Werner Voss, Ernst Udet, Joachim von Hippel, Justus Grassman and many more are told in brief anecdotes and engaging short stories.
The material produced by Greg VanWyngarden is routinely excellent, and “Pfalz Scout Aces of World War I” maintains that standard.
RSS Feed
