I see a bunch of these books, for various WWII aircraft, and was wondering what the consensus was on their quality. Any info?
Crowood aviation series
- Thread starter Capt. Vick
- Start date
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fubar57
General
I like them Jim but I'm no expert and take things as they are. Lots of info though its seems abbreviated and lots of photos and diagrams. Both Peter Jacobs and Martin Bowman (Hurricane and Mosquito receptively) are authors and I've never heard bad things about them
buffnut453
Captain
They're like the proverbial curate's egg...good in parts. Some of the titles are excellent, while others a not so great. It all depends on the author. They are well illustrated but I'm not sure there's anything particularly startling about the photos they use in many of the volumes. Certainly many have been published before. Similarly, the text will not win any awards for uncovering new or deep/meaningful insights about the aircraft type covered.
My recommendation is to be selective and check whether the Crowood book adds anything to your existing library. If it does provide new material, then go ahead and get it. If not, leave it in the bookshop.
My recommendation is to be selective and check whether the Crowood book adds anything to your existing library. If it does provide new material, then go ahead and get it. If not, leave it in the bookshop.
- Thread starter
- #4
Hmmm...food for thought. Thank you gentlemen.
Shortround6
Major General
I would 2nd Buffnut's assessment. I have few and the there doesn't appear to be any standard format or formula. One may have a lot of technical details and information about production but not much on operational use while the book on a different aircraft may be weak on technical details/performance and spend a much higher percentage of pages on operational history.
special ed
1st Sergeant
- 4,848
- May 13, 2018
I have been pleased with mine. They seem expensive to me, so I used to get them from discount/ out of print sources at a good price, but now are seldom in the lists I get.
There are some "bad ones".
At discounted prices for some of the older ones, you can't really go wrong. Just be aware that some them will be dated such as the one's on the B737 or B747. I'd be careful on some of the more inflated ones as well. For example, Darling's book on the Buccaneer was a great buy for $15-$20.00, it's kinda' hard to justify it for most of us at the $150.00 some editions are priced at.
At discounted prices for some of the older ones, you can't really go wrong. Just be aware that some them will be dated such as the one's on the B737 or B747. I'd be careful on some of the more inflated ones as well. For example, Darling's book on the Buccaneer was a great buy for $15-$20.00, it's kinda' hard to justify it for most of us at the $150.00 some editions are priced at.
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