British Aeroplanes, 1914-18 by J.M. Bruce

[Jeff K]

Hello Aerodrome Experten,

I have a lot of questions. However, they are more like pings, intended to return a General Idea of What to Buy. I'm making long term plans for what WWI aviation books I need (yeah that's the correct word, NEED).

I'm looking for a book on British WWI aircraft that is roughly equivalent in genre and depth to Davilla's French aircraft of the First World War and/or Grosz' Austro-Hungarian Army Aircraft of World War One.

Is British Aeroplanes 1914 - 1918 that book? Or is there another I haven't been able to ferret out? Or is cobbling together the information from several books the best option? Does the Bruce book include well-drawn plans or should I look to Windsock books for that?

Second question: is there such a book for German aviation? I think not, but had to ask. Assuming not, which books would cobble together a clear, comprehensive picture of German aircraft?

[MikeMeech]

Originally Posted by Jeff K

Hello Aerodrome Experten,

I have a lot of questions. However, they are more like pings, intended to return a General Idea of What to Buy. I'm making long term plans for what WWI aviation books I need (yeah that's the correct word, NEED).

I'm looking for a book on British WWI aircraft that is roughly equivalent in genre and depth to Davilla's French aircraft of the First World War and/or Grosz' Austro-Hungarian Army Aircraft of World War One.

Is British Aeroplanes 1914 - 1918 that book? Or is there another I haven't been able to ferret out? Or is cobbling together the information from several books the best option? Does the Bruce book include well-drawn plans or should I look to Windsock books for that?

Second question: is there such a book for German aviation? I think not, but had to ask. Assuming not, which books would cobble together a clear, comprehensive picture of German aircraft?

Hi

For British aircraft then Bruce's book is good (despite its age) but it does not have detailed drawings in. Other quite old books do give drawings of all nations aircraft, these are from 'Harleyford Publications', the trilogy of:

'Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War' compiled by W M Lamberton.
'Reconnaissance & Bomber Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War' compiled by Lamberton.
'Marine Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War' compiled by Heinz J Nowarra.

The same publisher produced the one volume of:

'Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War' compiled by O G Thetford and E J Riding. All nations' main types in one volume.

All these have mainly 1/72 drawings, although not as much detail on the aircraft as found in Bruce's book you mention.

Bruce also had published 'The Aeroplanes of the Royal Flying Corps (Military Wing)' Putnam, this has detail on British and foreign aircraft used by the RFC, no drawings though.
Also published by Putnam was 'German Aircraft of the First World War' by Peter Gray & Owen Thetford, this has small three view drawings in.

It all depends what your priorities are and how much you want to spend. There are a fair few 'modern' works on individual companies or types which include decent drawings as well, an example you have already mentioned.
Mike

[MASTIFF]

Hi Jeff and welcome to the Forum.

Highly recommend "Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War I" and "Aircraft of World War 1" by Jack Herris and Rob Pearson.

Cheers,
Tony

[tcrean7828]

Originally Posted by Jeff K

Hello Aerodrome Experten,

I have a lot of questions. However, they are more like pings, intended to return a General Idea of What to Buy. I'm making long term plans for what WWI aviation books I need (yeah that's the correct word, NEED).

I'm looking for a book on British WWI aircraft that is roughly equivalent in genre and depth to Davilla's French aircraft of the First World War and/or Grosz' Austro-Hungarian Army Aircraft of World War One.

Is British Aeroplanes 1914 - 1918 that book? Or is there another I haven't been able to ferret out? Or is cobbling together the information from several books the best option? Does the Bruce book include well-drawn plans or should I look to Windsock books for that?

Second question: is there such a book for German aviation? I think not, but had to ask. Assuming not, which books would cobble together a clear, comprehensive picture of German aircraft?

Mate,
Welcome to the flagship 'The Aerodrome' where the finest minds on the planet get together and talk about their favorite subject - WW1

tcrean7828

tom

[Pedro Ramis]

Originally Posted by MASTIFF

Hi Jeff and welcome to the Forum.
Highly recommend "Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War I" and "Aircraft of World War 1" by Jack Herris and Rob Pearson.
Cheers,
Tony

There is one on sale on the 'second-hand book' section of the Cross and Cockade site. You need to get a login, but you don't need to be a member to buy there...
https://www.crossandcockade.com/

[Jeff K]

Thanks for the welcome, gents.

I've been on here a while but mostly lurking.

I've got "Jane's", would Bruce be redundant? I've got some of his Windsock Datafiles.

What I'd really like (any subject that flew in WWI) is more like Cross and Cockade's FE2b/d book. I especially love the detailed rundown of serial numbers. This book has it all, really.

Got that Herris book in my Amazon cart, thanks gents.

For drawings, there's always Windsock Datafiles but the kind of detail about runs of serial numbers in the C&C Fee book is just amazing.

regarding spending, i'm willing to. albeit somewhat gradually...

[joegertler]

Get Bruce's book. If you are into serial numbers, it is among the best references. I have used it Thousands of times to ID planes, via serial #s. It even gives the serial numbers for special builds and modified planes, and prototypes and experimental. Of course it give history, importance or failure of each model and so much MORE than any Janes. One of the most constantly used books in my enormous library of aircraft reference books. And it is well organized, including a detailed Index

[Jeff K]

joegertler, you just sold me on Bruce's book. I've got a couple of his Windsocks, high expectations based on that prompted me to ask alla y'all experten.

[dpolglaze]

If you like the C&C FE2b/d book, they also have published those types of books on the Sopwith Dolphin, and on Nieuports, in RFC, RNAS & RAF Service. The Nieuport book is only available on the second-hand market, or as a digital download.

Dan

[Jeff K]

unfortunately, Bruce will have to wait.

i just scored Austro-Hungarian Army Aircraft of World War I and French Aircraft of the First World War in a pretty good deal on eBay...

Given that these books are large and kinda scarce, it was a pretty good deal that drained my bank account.