Customer Reviews

Fokker Dr.I Triplane: A World War One Legend

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read some of the previous reviews and was concerned with the comments regarding the size of the photo's. Photo's are the only source of accurate information on the Triplane. As it turns out it's a big book with lot's and lot's of very small photo's. Many of the photo's I've already seen published previously at a much larger scale. Even with a magnifying glass you can't see much since the pixel level is low. The written information is a rehash of everything else that's already been published. There is one chapter on the flying characteristics of a Triplane with very little information. Surprising since there are a number of them flying today with rotaries and radials and horizontally opposed engines. Apparently the author found it too time consuming conferring with these pilots and preferred to express his opinions instead. There are some nice color drawings of various Triplane's which is nothing new. I would have preferred if they would have done away with the color drawings and printed larger photo's if cost was the issue. The book appears to be an attempt to exploit the popularity of the Triplane and give the buyer a general knowledge of it's history and usage. I suspect this book will be on the bargain buy table at your local book store if not already. If you want a good book on the Fokker Triplane , see if you can find Alex Imrie's book. It's a smaller sized book but the pictures and information is larger by comparison.

If like me, you're always searching for more photos and information on the Fokker DRI, this is the book for you. Filled to the point of over-flow with original photos from the Ed Ferko collection as well as other, you'll not find a single source greater than this for visual information. There are a few inaccuracies and a distinct lack of information and photos of original construction, but who knows, there may be no such information left in the world. On the whole a 10 out of 10

An excellent history of the development & deployment of WWI's most famous fighting plane. Makes a great companion piece to Leon Bennett's more technically oriented 'Three Wings for the Red Baron'.

When I first received this book I was a bit disappointed by it's slim size. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and comprehensiveness of the information packed inside. Paul Leaman certainly did his homework on this book. There are a great deal of rare photos from many sources inside. So many in fact, that the only down side about the book is the publisher had to scale some down in order to fit them all in. I am planning to build a full-scale Fokker Dr I reproduction and I would highly recommend this to others who require in-depth knowledge on this aircraft.

After nearly 45 years of collecting about everthing ever written or published on this legendary airplane, this is the finest book I've ever seen. It contains several photos that I had only heard about, there are a few minor or conflicting errors in a couple of captions, but overall I can
only state that this is the book that every person with only a mild interest on the suject should have!

The previous reviewer (Flyboy) apparently has some personal bias against the author, for in making his own unfounded statements, he made the following errors:

First, there are tons of photos of all sizes. The color "drawings" that he refers to are profiles showing the true colors and markings of the aircraft. Invaluable information.

Second, the author compared apples to apples by reviewing the flight characteristics of historical aircraft to replicas with like engines and documented builds, of which only a select few exist. You cannot compare antique WW1 aircraft to replicas using modern power plants. It would be akin to comparing a VW Beetle with a V8 to the original.

This is an excellent book by someone respected in the field. If you can only afford one book on the Dr.1, this should be on your short list. If you want something with big photos, get a calendar. This book is filled with facts and interesting reading.

This is the end all book for the FOKKER DRI triplane. The book follows the technical development,production, deployment and service record of the triplane. A very complete easy to read and informative book. Paul Leaman has poured years of research into this volume. An absolute must for any WWI aviation enthusiast and serious student of WWI aviation history.I highly recommend this book.