More Silver Wings, Pinks & Greens: An Expanded Study of USAS, USAAC, & USAAF Uniforms, Wings & Insignia ¥ 1913-1945 Including Civilian Auxiliaries [Hardcover]

Jon A. Maguire (Author)

Book Description

Series: Schiffer Military History | Publication Date: January 1, 2000

Jon Maguire's book Silver Wings, Pinks & Greens was a tremendous success and set a new standard for American uniform and insignia references. Following its publication there still remained among collectors and historians a desire for more information. The

Product Details

• Hardcover: 350 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764300911
• ISBN-13: 978-0764300912
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.9 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #754,523 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Maguire Masterpiece, January 30, 2000

By 

Malcolm R. Bates (Somerset, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: More Silver Wings, Pinks & Greens: An Expanded Study of USAS, USAAC, & USAAF Uniforms, Wings & Insignia ¥ 1913-1945 Including Civilian Auxiliaries (Hardcover)

It really is something of a rare event these days when someone writes a scholarly reference work that rapidly becomes a benchmark for others to aspire to, but Jon Maguire just keeps on doing it.

Keep em coming, keep em flying!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Remarkable research and presentation, but also great stories, March 15, 2010

By 

Andrew S. Rogers (Stamford, Connecticut) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: More Silver Wings, Pinks & Greens: An Expanded Study of USAS, USAAC, & USAAF Uniforms, Wings & Insignia ¥ 1913-1945 Including Civilian Auxiliaries (Hardcover)

I'm not an expert, and still less a collector, but as someone with a casual interest in the uniforms and related impedimenta of the world war two era, it's hard to believe a reference could have more to offer, or be more attractively presented, than this work by Jon A. Maguire. The depth of research and knowledge on display here is very impressive, as is the author's thoroughness: I had no idea that the design of pilots' wings, for example, had so many subtle variations based on the manufacturer. Maguire seems to have identified and catalogued all of them.

I admit to skimming over certain sections, like the many, many squadron insignia or the chapter on the Civil Air Patrol. But that has more to do with my own interests, not the merits of Maguire's work, and I can readily see how others might find those very interesting indeed. Where I found myself especially engrossed was in the stories of some of the men who wore these uniforms. Jesse Auton, for example, is shown in images from his 2nd lieutenant days right up to the sprouting of stars on his shoulders (and the concurrent growth of a mustache, by the way, that ultimately made him look like he belonged in RAF Bomber Command). Particularly interesting was the final chapter, "Yanks in His Majesty's Service," which told the stories of several heroes who volunteered, as the title suggests, for the British or Canadian Royal Air Forces before December, 1941. I would particularly note the story of Robert Patrick Walker, who hitchhiked from his native Texas to Canada to volunteer for the RCAF, transferred in 1943 to the US Army Air Corps, and later served with the USAF as late as the Vietnam War. Looking online for more information revealed that this hero died as recently as January, 2010. Hats off to him.

For collectors or historians, this is definitely a work to have around. It pained me to have to return it to its owner.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Maguire Benchmark, March 9, 2003

By 

Andrew Langton (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: More Silver Wings, Pinks & Greens: An Expanded Study of USAS, USAAC, & USAAF Uniforms, Wings & Insignia ¥ 1913-1945 Including Civilian Auxiliaries (Hardcover)

It seems to date that the author Jon A. Maguire can do no wrong whenever he decides to commit pen to paper. Yet again we have a title that is truly exhaustive in it's coverage of the topic without becoming staid and condescending. Each page is full of highly detailed photographs that describe and illustrate the items perfectly for the collector. His text is articulate, informative and detailed.

If the American Army Air Forces from the period covered are of interest to you then I can offer you know more words of advice other than buy this book. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have.