Albatros D.I and D.II

Barrett · 3 February 2013, 11:51 AM

Just received Jim Miller's new Osprey offering. First run-thru looks really good with excellent art Simon Smith, Henry Morshead, and Peter Bull. Softcover 64 pages.

Gregvan · 3 February 2013, 03:39 PM

I heartily concur with Barrett's recommendation. This is a superb book, packed full of good information and superbly illustrated. If you have any interest at all in the subject, pick it up!

Greg

Kirk · 15 February 2013, 10:19 AM

I did - and I concur.

I like this series as a change of pace from the Osprey Aces series. While the Aces series have a pretty much standardized format that specializes in short biographies of pilots, the Vanguard series focuses on a particular aircraft and it's development. One of the things I like about this book in particular is that it doesn't concentrate on the more famous cousin, the DIII, but rather spends it's time looking into early Albatros fighter development. Great stuff.

elephant · 15 February 2013, 11:05 PM

Indeed, great stuff!
Jim is a fine researcher and some detailed stuff included in the book are presented for the first time (the wing fairings come in mind)...
Essential book for scale modellers and flight sim artists.

Barrett · 17 February 2013, 05:50 PM

Main thing I learnt is that the D.I and D.II were developed simultaneously.

I gotta wonder how much Flieger input was involved in making the D.III a sesquiplane. The presumed advantage of improved downward viz was IMO vastly offset by structural problems.

As Doug Bader said, "Just build it so it doesn't break, that's all I ask."

stephen · 22 February 2013, 07:11 AM

Anyone notice the vastly increased use of color art and illustrations? That was really a step forward over the Aces series.