Pfalz Scout Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces) [Paperback]

Greg Vanwyngarden (Author), Harry Dempsey (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Aircraft of the Aces | Publication Date: July 25, 2006

The Pfalz Flugzeug Werke, located at Speyer am Rhein in Bavaria, was the third in the great triumvirate (along with Fokker and Albatros) of German fighter manufacturers in the Great War. When World War I broke out in 1914, Pfalz initially produced copies of the Morane-Saulnier parasol monoplanes for the German air service. With the advent of the famed Fokker Eindeckers with their synchronized machine guns, Pfalz entered the fighter market with the Pfalz E.I and its successors, all monoplanes which were similarly armed. Though never as as numerous as the Albatros or Fokker designs, the D III/IIIa was flown in combat by many well-known aces: Werner Voss, Carl Degelow, Erich Löwenhardt, and the balloon buster Fritz von Röth, among others. This book examines the little-known aircraft flown by these incredible men.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Once again, from the delightful pen of author and WWI German Air Service expert Greg VanWyngarden, comes another bookshelf gem ..." -Indy Squadron Dispatch (November 2011)

"As any airplane modeler can testify, the Pfalz D.III, with its sleek, sharklike fuselage and rakish wings and tailplane, rates among the half-dozen best-looking aircraft of World War I...modelers with a nostalgic streak for the Pfalz aesthetic will welcome...striking marking schems... Van Wyndarden's latest offering provides more than a Pfalz promise." -Jon Guttman, Aviation History

"Accompanying the usual comprehensive text on the types' operations and their associated personnel, there are 32 colour side views - some of them very colourful indeed - and eight plan views... Modellers of World War I aircraft will, I am sure, be very interested in this 71st volume in Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces Series, and given the colourful markings it could very well interest those whose primary interests lie the Great War." -Mike McEvoy, Scale Aircraft Modelling

"...Greg VanWyngarden has produced a nifty treatment, covering everything from the Morane-inspired monoplanes to the elegant D-III series to the boxy D-XXI... With more than 100 good-quality photos, many new to this reviewer, the book also benefits from Harry Dempsey's excellent color profiles. Osprey also includes a useful index in most of its current titles-a very helpful addition. Considering that no other book is likely to be attempted on the esoteric subject, Pfalz Scout Aces rates five stars." -Barrett Tillman, Aerodrome

"Osprey's military titles are very subject-specific, allowing for a depth of focus most other general-interest surveys lack. Their latest titles are top picks military reference libraries will appreciate [including] Greg VanWyngarden's Pfalz Scout Aces of World War I ." -The Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Greg VanWyngarden has had a lifelong interest in World War 1 aviation and has been particularly active in gathering information on the colours and markings that decorated the various German fighters. His previous titles for Osprey include Aircraft of the Aces 53 and 63: ‘Fokker D VII Aces of World War 1’ parts 1 and 2 and Aviation Elite Units 16: ‘Richthofen's Circus’.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (July 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841769983
• ISBN-13: 978-1841769981
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #845,887 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dogfighting in Pfalz Biplanes!, December 30, 2006

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pfalz Scout Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces) (Paperback)

Pfalz biplanes equipped many German Jadgstaffels in World War I. Though never as popular or as numerous as its Fokker or Albatros contemporaries, Pfalz D III, D IIIa, D VIII and D XII biplanes saw combat from mid-1917 to war's end. The combat record of Pfalz aces is covered in this volume, #71 in Osprey's 'Aircraft of the Aces' series.

In one respect the 'Pfalz Aces' title is misleading. Many Jadgstaffels flew a mixture of Pfalz, Fokker and/or Albatros fighters but German victory records did not specify which aircraft a pilot was flying when he claimed a kill. So, while many famous German aces like Werner Voss, Paul Baumer, Fritz Hohn, Emil Thuy, Hans Bethge, Paul Billik, Erich Lowenhardt and others flew the sleek biplanes, author Greg VanWyngarden expressly acknowledges that not all may, in fact, have scored five or more kills in Pfalz fighters.

In any case, VanWyngarden's book is an interesting chronicle of the WWI air war from the German side. VanWyngarden uses many first-hand accounts in the book which is nicely illustrated with 90 black & white photos and 12 pages of color profiles by Harry Dempsey. The colorful paint schemes worn by the Pfalz biplanes are a visual delight.

Air war enthusiasts will enjoy this book. It highlights the efforts of some intrepid pilots like Bethge, Hohn and Billik and units such as Jastas 16b, 21s, 30, 47w, 52, 79b and others that haven't received the historical coverage they deserve.

Another nicely done, informative Osprey piece.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book in the Osprey Series, December 21, 2006

By 

H. N. Dohe (My Sanctum Sanctorium) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pfalz Scout Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces) (Paperback)

Osprey has done a fine job in putting together a series of informative books on war. Their aviation series are a personal favorite of mine. These books contain much information, excellent photos and full color plates of the aircraft covered. A nice, clean, concise account of the subject matter. In this case it's the German Aces who flew the Pfalz Scouts in the Great War. Grey Vanwyngarten does a fine job (again) here. He knows his stuff, and is a dedicated buff of the First War in the Air. Just the Osprey books alone would fill a nice shelf in your library.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional History of these aircraft in combat, August 11, 2007

By 

J. W. Herris (Indio, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pfalz Scout Aces of World War 1 (Aircraft of the Aces) (Paperback)

The Pfalz fighters and their pilots were always in the shadow of the more famous Fokker and Albatros. The author does a wonderful job documenting these little-known fighters given the relative lack of material available; there is new information here, including new photos and new color profiles, just what the excellent Osprey series is known for. This book is an excellent reference for enthusiasts, historians, and modelers, and is a must for anyone interested in Pfalz fighters or their operations.