Winged Victory.

Ginger. · 1 April 2004, 12:30 AM

Just got Grub Street's catologue. Victor Yeates's book is out in paperback again.
On the front is a superb illustration of him dogfighting...in an SE5!
Don't let this put you off if you've never read it you're in for a treat.

MikeW · 1 April 2004, 11:36 AM

Major Ginger - a damn fine recommendation old boy! Shame about the SE5.

Who gets the royalties in a case like this? Yeates' surviving relatives? Or does the copyright lodge with the original publisher?

Mike

Barrett · 1 April 2004, 12:55 PM

I've not had personal experience in the matter (!) but generally the author's heirs receive subsequent royalties. However, the scribe might make other arrangements in his will, designating an organization, favorite charity, 2nd spouse, illegitimate offspring, etc, etc. It's possible that the publisher (or original copyright holder) could become the ultimate recipient but of course not all publishers last that long, and copyrights must be renewed. I understand that in some venues, if the person dies intestate the govt. can extend its grubby hand and take a part or even all of the decedent's posthumous royalties.

Alan · 6 April 2004, 07:43 AM

Barrett · 12 April 2004, 08:47 PM

Just received my copy today. Interesting to note that in the first paragraph Cundall (Yeates' alter ego) is linked with Williamson. As noted earlier on another thread, Yeates had some writing help from Henry Williamson, to whom the book is dedicated.

I'd forgotten that Yeates died so young: age 37, from TB contracted during the war.

Barrett · 15 April 2004, 05:23 PM

I'm about 1/3 thru it--first time in 22 years, IIRC. The novel uses a number of real names from 46 Sqn. Also interesting to note that Yeates was an "ace" (including 2 destroyed) in the squadron dominated by MacLaren ("Mac" in the book.) MacLaren's 23.5 destroyed or captured nearly equalled the total of "real" victories by the squadron's other 15 "aces"!

BTW: for those interested in the Pup Period of No. 46, you can do no better than AG Lee's "No Parachute."

Barrett · 17 April 2004, 09:10 AM

Almost done: it's interesting how Yeates often returns to the theme of shared victories, as low as 1/9. In looking at No. 46 Sqn. aces, the 16 pilots were credited with 184 but their destroyed/captured tally is merely 56 and change, which is a far lower % even than the RAF norm. At any rate, Yeates does not exaggerate "Mac's" importance to the unit; if anything he understates it. MacLaren got over 40% of all the aces' "hard" kills--nobody else got 5. (Thomson's 21 victories = 4.5 dest/captured)

Clearly Yeates & No. 46 had little regard for the "air Huns", and it appears that the squadron's extremely high % of OOCs, ETC, contributed to the feeling of superiority (though much was attributed to the Camel.) In the book, the squadron claims 20 victories in one day--wonder if that was an actual figure from 1918. Presumably that would translate to about 6-7 smoking holes in the ground, which still woulda been respectable.

Break-break

Yeates introduces D-7s sometime in April, before MvR's demise. Anybody catch any other gotchas?

MikeW · 21 April 2004, 10:48 AM

Have I got a treat for you guys, just got the heads-up on this new book, don't know when it's due out but if the cover artwork has been finalised it can't be too far away.

Yeoman · 21 April 2004, 01:04 PM

Well you Gentlemen have finally persuaded me, tipped me over the edge so to speak.My copy has just been ordered!

I had a bit of a look about for a copy of 'no parachute' while I was at it,but nearly had a fall of soot when the cheapest copy I could find was £40

Thanks for the review Barrett