Wings of History: The Air Museums of Europe [Paperback]

Louis Divone (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0939047217 | ISBN-13: 978-0939047215 | Publication Date: January 1989 | Edition: 1

Exciting stories of European aviation history, stories of pioneering, courage, tragedy, and comedy, told through those rare and exotic aircraft that still exist in their air museums and aviation collections. Over 175 photos bring these old aircraft back to life. Plus a complete travel guide locating over 3250 aircraft in 142 museums (no standard travel book even mentions them) in 26 western and eastern European countries and includes translation tables of European aviation terms and names in over a dozen languages. Whether going overseas or just sitting in an armchair, it provides and arresting view of aviation as it was in another time and another place.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A guidebook to European air museums, this book fills a void in the literature on aviation history. These are places where people can see and touch aviation history, thrilling to the days of open cockpits and the transition to the jet age. Accounts of the planes on display are highlighted with stories of the pilots, the impact on the development of aviation technology, and missions of the warbirds. The book covers 142 collections of aircraft, with the emphasis on the major museums in 15 countries. Numerous photographs accompany the text, and an appendix lists the planes in each museum. By an aeronautical engineer and pilot, this is both a great reference source and interesting reading for travelers and aviation enthusiasts.
- William A. McIntyre, New Hampshire Technical Coll. at Nashua Lib.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"...a rare treasure and for those who appreciate good writing, it is a delight to read." -- Silents Please, October 1992

"...tales of daring-do..." and "Fascinating reading and an indispensable guide..." -- Quick Trips Travel Letter, February 1993

"Each plane has a story, and they are all affectionately told" and "A unique guide..." -- Kramer's Books for Travelers, January 1992

"Not one for the glove box, but one for the bookcase." -- FlyPast Magazine, August 1989

"Pack this one into your travel bags when next you head for Europe." -- Air Power History, August 1989

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 299 pages
• Publisher: Oakton Hills Pubns; 1 edition (January 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0939047217
• ISBN-13: 978-0939047215
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,315,641 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Passing of Lou, May 23, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Wings of History: The Air Museums of Europe (Paperback)

Just a quick note. Louis Divone, or better known to us in Skywagon land as Lou and Old Charlie passed away last week. He will be missed by the aviation community. Thanks for your wit and wisdom. You are missed.

5.0 out of 5 stars A must if you're interested in aviation history, January 9, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Aspen, Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wings of History: The Air Museums of Europe (Paperback)

Lou Divone has written an excellent compendium of the history of aviation preserved in the musuems of Europe. His book is laced with stories that breathe life into the mechanical relics that once filled the European skies. In an age when flying is an common occurence to most people, it is fascinating to read about the artifacts of an age that awed those who lived just a few short decades ago. This book belongs in the library of anyone who wishes to recapture the era when aviation was new and pilots were exploring the frontiers we now find so familiar. Lou's love of aviation and his admiration of those who built and flew the flying machines of the not-so-distant past illuminates each page.

4.0 out of 5 stars Aviation history in context of museums, told passionately, April 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Wings of History: The Air Museums of Europe (Paperback)

Using aviation museums throughout Europe as a backdrop, some wonderful, little known facts of aviation history are presented as only a passionate aficionado of the topic could do. For example, many know of the retirement of the Schneider Trophy by the British, but this book presents the details in glorious fashion, taking as motivation the awe inspiring presence of the Supermarine racer in the British Science museum. The prose is occasionally a bit on the amateur side, but the author's passion for aviation makes up for it and it never really gets in the way of the story.