Flying Guns of World War I [Hardcover]

Anthony G. Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 11, 2004

This book describes the history of aircraft guns, their ammunition and their installations in aircraft. It commences with a technical history covering the development of guns, their ammunition, and related issues such as mountings and sights. This is followed by chapters on aircraft installations covering all nations and an evaluation of their use in combat. Appendices include comprehensive tables of the gun installations of WWI combat aircraft with details and illustrations of the guns used and specifications of their ammunition. Comparative drawings and specifications of service weapons are provided, plus illustrations and data concerning their ammunition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: The Crowood Press; First edition (April 11, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1840373962
• ISBN-13: 978-1840373967
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,568,287 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bible on airctraft machine guns!, January 15, 2011

By 

Dario Julio Romani Garcia "Ruritania Flieger" (Spain) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Flying Guns of World War I (Hardcover)

I don't understand what the reviewer that gave a negative review was expecting from this book. I think he wanted a book on technical descriptions of the guns themselves, so he would have been better served by a different kind of book.

Thet title says what this book is about "Development of aircraft guns, ammunition and installations, 1914-32". The "useless" tables are very useful as a reference, and for wargamers. I don't understand the complaints since the book has useful photos for modellers, some very rare, and useful technical diagrams that explain the workings of the guns.

The book is painstakingly researched, and is a very interesting read, specially since aircraft armament is neglected in most airplane books, wich concentrate on the flying qualities, or at most in engines.

As for the author knowledge, anyone that has visited The Aerodrome forum and had the privilege of reading his postings can attest to that. Williams and Gustin are the acknowledged experts in this particular field, and their books are not only a must read, but a must have. Of course, no human work is perfect, and some people in forums can know something Williams and Gustin don't know, but that's nitpicking.

This is The Book. There's no other. Is a treasured piece of my collection, and I have consulted it many times.

3 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Flying Guns of World War I, September 20, 2008

By 

jetmech (MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flying Guns of World War I (Hardcover)

You certainly can't judge a book by it's cover! This volume is very sparsely illustrated, no real detail on guns such as the Spandau, Parabellum etc... Forty pages of the book are taken up by useless tables, which guns were mounted on what aircraft. Again, no supporting illustrations or detailed photos. You can find far more info on this subject on the web. Save your money. I really don't know how the author can proclaim himself as the expert on the subject!