The WWI French Aces Encyclopedia Volume 1

[JackH]

Aeronaut is pleased to announce an exciting new series with today's publication of The WWI French Aces Encyclopedia, Volume 1 | Achard to Boyau, by noted French aviation historian David Méchin.

This series includes biographies of the aces, photos, detailed victory lists, and, for most of the aces, color profiles of their airplanes. Volume 1 tells the stories of 26 aces from Albert Achard to Maurice Boyau with 231 photos, 12 in color, and 31 color profiles in its 224 pages.

The series will consist of 8 volumes and Aeronaut hopes to publish a volume each month until the series is complete.

All the best,
Jack Herris

[Pips]

Great news. So little detailed info available (in English) on the French Air Service.

Rather confused though. The book linked in your post is by a different author, and is a two volume set.

[JackH]

Originally Posted by Pips

Great news. So little detailed info available (in English) on the French Air Service.

Rather confused though. The book linked in your post is by a different author, and is a two volume set.

I did not link this book; it was automatically linked. I have deleted the link.

Best,
Jack

[jsontag]

Another must get Jack. Thank you. Any word on Jasta colors Vol.2 or the next Jasta History?

James

[redintheskies]

How exciting!! Thank you for sharing.

[Frank_Olynyk]

Ordered it a few days ago, and it arrived yesterday (Saturday). This series should replace anything previously published on French WW1 aces.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Gregvan]

This is wonderful news, and these books will be must-haves. I have known David Méchin for several years and have been privileged to edit some of his superb articles for Over the Front. His work is always first-rate, and he has uncovered a great deal of new material and photos on French aces. I can't wait for the first book!

[spad]

Bought it from Amazon, anything David writes is worth the money. I should have it tomorrow can't wait!

[spad]

It is as expected, a beautiful book. The most interesting parts were the photographs (most of which I had never seen before) and the anecdotes which illustrate the characters of the pilots profiled. I especially enjoyed the essay on Amand Berthelot. The best thing is that each pilot/gunner no matter whether he claims five or fifteen victories (or more) is given the level of respect shown in "Over the Front", and with the added detail discovered post 1992.

The artwork is superb, covering SPADs, Nieuports, Sopwiths, etc.

Thank goodness it's being published in parts rather than as a couple of volumes. At an average of six pages at least per pilot (ten for my own personal project Bernard Barny de Romanet, four for another, Pavel Argeyev - goodness only knows how many will be reuired for Guynemer, Fonck and Nungesser) it has enough space to give each essay-portrait details that are essential and new, satisfying the neophyte and the grizzled veteran of years of these studies.

Did I say I recommend it highly?


Ok, enough of all this flattery - when's the next one David?

[JackH]

Originally Posted by jsontag

Another must get Jack. Thank you. Any word on Jasta colors Vol.2 or the next Jasta History?

James

Hello James,

Jasta Colors Vol.2 and Jasta 76b should be out by the end of this year.

All the best,
Jack