Customer Reviews

Dolphin and Snipe Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The year 1918 saw two Sopwith fighters introduced into service, the pugnosed Dolphin and the humpbacked Snipe. Successors to the Camel, both fighters ran up commendable combat records in the remaining months of the war. Author Norman Franks relates the combat exploits of these superlative fighters and the Commonwealth aces who flew them in this Osprey 'Aircraft of the Aces' book, #48 in the series.

First to see combat was the Dolphin with its unique negative-stagger biplane wing arrangement and unheard-of armament of four .303 machine guns. First to fly the Dolphin in combat - in February 1918 - was 19 Squadron followed by 79, 23 and 87 Squadrons. By war's end 28 Dolphin pilots made ace, the top scorer being Fred Gillet, an American(!) assigned to 79 Squadron, with an even 20 kills. The Snipe's first combat missions were logged in August 1918 by 43 Squadron followed by 4 Squadron, AFC. Only the latter unit produced Snipe aces, these being Tom Baker, Arthur Palliser and 'Bo' King.

Franks does a marvelous job of describing these late-war entries, providing development histories of both fighters along with their combat record. He includes several first-person narratives which are always a big plus in my book. Over 100 vintage black & white photographs, 12 pages of color side-views and a superb cover by Iain Wyllie bring these outstanding - if rather odd-looking - fighters to life.

One of Franks' better efforts for Osprey! Recommended.

This volume from the Osprey series is of particularly great value to World War One aero historians as these aircraft were somewhat late arrivals to the war, especially the Snipe. Their exposure in books is somewhat limited and sketchy. As usual, Norman Franks is in fine form with his research into the aircraft's history and the ace pilots who flew them. I have reviewed some other Osprey titles by Norman Franks. You may wish to see my other reviews. The Osprey books are concise, handy reference resources. They are well researched, documented with photos and supported with drawings and artwork. The artwork is really awe-inspiring. I own many of the Osprey aviation and military history titles. I feel they are a great value for the money. They do not take up as much space as hardcover books, they cost a lot less, and they thoroughly cover their topics. The Sopwith Company produced the Pup.Sopwith Pup Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces) A Triplane was successfully developed.Aircraft of the Aces 62 - Sopwith Triplanes Aces of World War 1 Additionally, the Camel was produced.Sopwith Camel Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces). These three volumes are also rendered capably by Norman Franks. For an in depth look at the personal experience of an RFC pilot of "no fame" who flew the Sopwith Pup and Camel, you may wish to check out Arthur Gould Lee's book No Parachute. Here is the link NO PARACHUTE: A FIGHTER PILOT IN WORLD WAR I It is truly an excellent book. Lee may not have been an Ace, but he was a very brave and modest man. He had quite an adventure. You will enjoy reading about his high altitude patrols in the Pup and the ground attack work in the Camel!