Classic World War II Aircraft Cutaways [Hardcover]

Bill Gunston (Author)

Book Description

Series: Aircraft Cutaways | Publication Date: October 14, 1995

Established in the early days of aviation, "Flight" and "The Aeroplane" were considered essential reading for all aviation enthusiasts of the period, "Aeroplane Monthly", the latter's successor, is today viewed in a similar vein. All three publications have set exacting standards for technical drawings over the years. Many of these fine cutaways, featuring virtually every major combat type, are being republished here after years in the archives. All the major Allied and Axis combat types of World War II are covered in this period work, and the cutaways are accompanied by the best photography from the huge "Aeroplane" picture archive, individual specifications, and a potted history of each type and of the cutaway artists themselves by aviation historian Bill Gunston.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Osprey's Aircraft Cutaways series tells the stories of the most innovative aircraft companies in the world, in authoritative texts supported by cutaway drawings, colour profiles, and archival photography.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 150 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (October 14, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855325268
• ISBN-13: 978-1855325265
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 9.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,971,018 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great cutaways, covers many obscure British aircraft, February 23, 2006

By 

DL - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classic World War II Aircraft Cutaways (Hardcover)

This book contains a collection of aircraft cutaways which were published in several British aviation journals during World War II. The book offers a unique perspective because unlike most modern reproductions, the cutaways were drawn from real aircraft by artists visiting the factories. Some details on the cutaways have been omitted for contemporary security reasons.

Each aircraft takes up two pages -- a page of text where the author comments on history and personal experience with the aircraft in question as well as on the accuracy of the cutaways and the omitted details, and a full-page cutaway. The cutaways for some of the larger aircraft span two pages (mercifully, done as a fold-out so none of the detail is lost in the binding crease).

The text is well-written although I could stand less lamenting (justified as it may be) about the decline of British aviation industry. The cutaways themselves are hand-drawn and while they don't have hundreds of items labeled in the key, they do represent the pinnacle of this lost artform.

The book covers predominantly British aircraft, including some rather obscure contraptions. Covered are: Whitley III (twice, by two different artists), Lysander I, Oxford I, Blenheim I and IV, Spitfire I (plus a Spitfire V labeled as Spitfire I), Gladiator I, Anson I, Sunderland I, Hurricane I, Henley, Hampden I, Bombay I, Skua I, Ju 86, Bf 109E and F, He 111, Stirling I, Halifax I and III, Hs 126, Do 17, Bf 110, Ju 87, Do 217, Fw 190, Catalina I, Lancaster I, Me 210, Ju 88, Beaufighter IF, Airacobra I, Mosquito II, Auster IV, Firefly I, Mustang I, Miles Messenger, B-17G Flying Fortress, Tomahawk I, Battle I/III, Wellington II, Miles Master I, Albemarle I, York I, Typhoon IB, Barracuda II, P-38 Lightning, Hamilcar, and Tempest V.

The book also covers several aircraft engines: Bristol Hercules XVI (including a great illustration of the complex sleeve-valve mechanism), Bristol Pegasus X, Napier Dagger, Napier Sabre II, Rolls-Royce Merlin I and XX, Rolls-Royce Griffon, Bristol Centaurus, BMW 801, and Daimler-Benz DB 601.

Highly recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History on two fronts, April 23, 2004

By 

BCP "bsa210" (Auckland, New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classic World War II Aircraft Cutaways (Hardcover)

This is a history of both classic aircraftof WW2, and the development of the cutaway artform early years. Text includes both original extracts from the magazines "Flight" (for whom he later worked) and "The Aeroplane" from the war years, as well as commentary by Bill Gunston from a position of hindsight. Information on the artists as well. Like all Gunston's books, a sardonic strain of humour is evident, as well as some personal memories. It leaves me wishing for a similar effort covering early post war aircraft. Highly recommended.