Noob question regarding Osprey

Felix C · 20 February 2010, 02:30 PM

Osprey series regarding "Aces" and "X vs Y".
I did search and there are 113 results!

Would I be correct to state they are all of quality? Pardon but have skimmed through Osprey titles in the past regarding other fields and they tend to be lightweight.

Any particular favorites regarding our 1914-1918 conflict under examination?

Gregvan · 20 February 2010, 03:46 PM

I happen to think most of them are pretty good.

But then, I'm not exactly unbiased.

jastaflieger · 20 February 2010, 04:40 PM

I would like to say , that in my opinion, the authors on the WWI aviation books are simply some of the most knowlegable people to be found in the area of WWI Aviation, i cannot comment on the WWII titles or any other titles in the Osprey series, but i have been a student of WWI Aviation since the 1960's and can say that this series is a great place to start.
Author/ historians such as Jon Guttman, Norman Franks and of course Greg van Wyngarden cannot be beat- they are all regular contributors to the series, and then other books such as Italian Aces of WWI are superb and contain information not to be found elsewhere.
i think you will enjoy any book and i know that you will learn alot from these books and these writers!
jim

CWatson · 20 February 2010, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregvan

I happen to think most of them are pretty good.

But then, I'm not exactly unbiased.

Over on the Steel Navy site it was mentioned that Osprey is discontinuing the Aircraft of the Aces series.

The SteelNavy.Com Message Board: Bad News From Osprey Publishing

CW

Pmacko · 21 February 2010, 05:43 AM

I believe I have just about all of the WW1 aviation titles that Osprey offers and find them excellent. I have also come across other titles from Osprey that have been somewhat lacking in research and accuracy but I think you are well served with the WW1 aviation editions. Glad to hear you have found this fascinating area of interest

Willi von Luft · 21 February 2010, 07:37 AM

You can't go wrong with the Osprey aviation books. They are excellent for overviews and some topics such as the "Italian Aces of World War I" and the "Austro-Hungarian Aces of World War I" contain valuable information that can's be found anywhere else because the information is in out of print books or the books are too expansive to buy.

I have all of the WWI titles and have enjoyed everyone of them. I would have liked for them to have done a Belgian Aces and a Russian Aces before they stopped. I realized some of the Belgian Aces were covered in other publications but it would have been nice to see their own book.

It is interesting that they are discontinuing the aviation series and the New Vanguard and just launched the "Raid" series and will be launching the "Command" series. I wonder in the "Command" series if they will publish anything about some of the more famous and successful Jasta commanders?

Willi von Luft

Eric Husher · 21 February 2010, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWatson

Over on the Steel Navy site it was mentioned that Osprey is discontinuing the Aircraft of the Aces series.

The SteelNavy.Com Message Board: Bad News From Osprey Publishing

CW

That is bad news indeed! The 'Aces' series is really quite good, with a LOT of detailed info not only on the aces themselves, but the aircraft as well (lovely color artwork!). So far, my particular favorites are the two 'Albatros Aces' books, which anyone with an interest in these aircraft would do very well in obtaining copies NOW, before they become unavailable!

Eric Husher · 21 February 2010, 08:22 AM

As for the 'X vs Y' series, I don't know about those involving aircraft. I DID buy one involving ships, 'Victory vs Redoutable' and it was complete rubbish! Therefore, I have made no attempt to examine any of the others, but perhaps other people have different opinions on these?

Felix C · 21 February 2010, 10:12 AM

I was thinking of the some Sopwith Camel Vs Fokker DrI and similar titles

Fokker Ace · 21 February 2010, 12:09 PM

I love the Aces books (they're great!) but don't care so much for the aircraft Vs. series. I picked one up at a model show for $5 and browsed through the others at the bookstore so I am familiar with them. Not bad books, just a bit "light" for my tastes.

Hard to believe Osprey would end the Aces series, however. Would like to find out more about this if it is indeed true.