Having established its SPAD VII as the most effective French fighter of 1916, the Societé Pour l'Aviation at ses Dérivés strove to improve the model with a 220hp Hispano Suiza 8B engine and two machine guns. Despite initial teething troubles with the new engine, by mid-1918 the SPAD XIII had taken its place as the principal fighter of both France and the US. Meanwhile, the German quest for a successor for their structurally flawed Albatros D V finally bore fruit with the Fokker D VII. Entering combat in May 1918, this plane earned a reputation as the most formidable fighter of the war, yet the SPAD XIII's greater speed, especially in a dive, and its outstanding durability, proved a fearsome rival. This is the gripping story of two of the best fighters produced in World War I - the SPAD XIII and the Fokker D VII - as they dueled in the skies above the trenches in the closing months of the war. Never before published artwork, including fascinating cockpit illustrations, reveal several dramatic clashes between the two foes while diary entries and first-hand accounts from the pilots bring this classic World War I duel to life with intimate detail.
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
Review
"SPAD XIII vs Fokker D VII is the gripping story of two of the best fighters produced in World War I-the SPAD XIII and the Fokker D-VII-as they dueled in the skies above the trenches in the closing months of the war. Never before published artwork, including fascinating cockpit illustrations, reveal several dramatic clashes between the two foes while diary entries and first-hand accounts from the pilots bring this classic World War I duel to life with intimate detail." -Flying Models (August 2009)
"In this book, the author, Jon Guttman, discusses the development of both aircraft as well as their technical specifications and deployments to the front. Pilot training and tactics are also part of the story and one will find quite a few 'I was there' stories to add some spice to the book... In all, a superlative inclusion to this series. It is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading and is one that I know you will find a delight as well." -Scott Van Aken, Modeling Madness www.modelingmadness.com (July 2009)
"Guttman profiles the great pilots of the era, deftly incorporating research on exactly how well they liked their respective mounts. But I must confess that what impressed me most were the full-color illustrations of aircraft profiles, cockpits and equipment, which give a rarely seen perspective of the aircraft." - Walter J. Boyne, Aviation History (July 2010)
"In this book, the author, Jon Guttman, discusses the development of both aircraft as well as their technical specifications and deployments to the front. Pilot training and tactics are also part of the story and one will find quite a few 'I was there' stories to add some spice to the book... In all, a superlative inclusion to this series. It is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading and is one that I know you will find a delight as well." -Scott Van Aken, Modeling Madness www.modelingmadness.com (July 2009)
"Guttman profiles the great pilots of the era, deftly incorporating research on exactly how well they liked their respective mounts. But I must confess that what impressed me most were the full-color illustrations of aircraft profiles, cockpits and equipment, which give a rarely seen perspective of the aircraft." - Walter J. Boyne, Aviation History (July 2010)
About the Author
A resident of Leesburg, Virginia, Jon Guttman is senior editor, research director and contributing writer for Primedia Enthusiast Publications. Specialising in World War 1 aviation, he has written 12 titles, including the popular Balloon Busting Aces of World War I.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Going Head to Head: Spads & Fokkers!,
By
This review is from: SPAD XIII vs. Fokker D VII: Western Front 1916-18 (Duel) (Paperback)
To my mind, the Spad 13 and Fokker D 7 were tough, slab-sided dogfighting brutes. Effective killing machines, yes; Graceful, no. Jon Guttman compares and contrasts these two classic dogfighters in this 2009 Osprey title. Done in the usual "Duel" format, it should appeal to any World War I air combat buffs out there.
As with other series titles, SPAD XIII Vs FOKKER D VII, WESTERN FRONT 1918 examines the Technical Development and Background of each fighter, the Training received by Spad and Fokker pilots, the Strategic Situation when the aircraft came into use, Combats fought between the two, Stats and Analysis and so on. The most fascinating part of these Duel titles, to me, has always been that last item - Analysis, the reasons behind the duel's outcome. For example, the Fokker D VII was Germany's best WW I fighter. Flown by many of its best pilots, they held the home court advantage since they usually only sought combat over their own lines. Despite some initial engine problems, the Spad XIII was a first-rate design as well. Pilot experience levels amongst the French and American units who flew the Spad however varied, some USAS pilots being pretty green compared to their Fokker opponents. Yet, though the Fokker took a heavy toll of Allied a/c, its record against Spad units was pretty much a draw. To understand why, read the book! Guttman's book is the usual Osprey combination of b&w photographs, color three-views, battle scenes, cockpit and armament close-ups, maps, etc. As always, Jim Laurier, who did the cover artwork and most of the inside art, turns in a great job. I wish Osprey would make more use of his considerable talents in their "Aces" and "Elite Units" series. After a somewhat shaky start, the "Duel" series has been turning out some interesting, informative and visually appealing histories. SPAD XIII Vs FOKKER D VII is an excellent addition to the series. Recommended.
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fokker D VII book,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: SPAD XIII vs. Fokker D VII: Western Front 1916-18 (Duel) (Paperback)
My Husband is building a RC version of the Fokker D7. He is using this book as Historical reference. Book is good, service was fine. I was satisfied with the service.
4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Bit Too Thin...,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: SPAD XIII vs. Fokker D VII: Western Front 1916-18 (Duel) (Paperback)
These short books, by their nature, are a mile wide and an inch deep. The illustrations are excellent w/ the - too me - exception of the inclusion of a two page oil painting that is poorly rendered. The "book" would have been better served by the inclusion of another two pages of text and/or pictures.
Pros: The author knows his material, the cover, three views, cockpits are excellent and the chronology is helpful. The pictures are a good mix of the familiar and rare. Cons: Too short and the material presented only scratched the surface as a result. Perhaps related to length is the odd omission of French production/deployment figures for the SPAD XIII in the Design and Development section. The relevant figures are listed for other countries (UK, USA and even Belgium) but the figures for the primary user are not; just odd.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
