War Birds


Book Description

Following the declaration of war by the United States, more than 200 American men, unwilling to wait until US squadrons could be raised, volunteered to join the Royal Flying Corps in the summer of 1917. Amongst these men was John MacGavock Grider and Elliott White Springs who both joined 85 Squadron to fly SE.5 fighters.During his service with the RFC and the RAF, Grider kept a record of his experiences from when he joined up until his untimely death in 1918, when he was shot down over the Western Front. Before his death, Grider had made a pact with Elliott White Springs that in the event of one of them dying, the other would complete their writings. Springs went on to write this book, an amalgamation of his own recollections and Griders diary and correspondence.War Birds records in detail the stresses of training and the terror and elation of failure and success during combats with the enemy the First World War. This unique edition of War Birds has been produced from a copy owned by another officer from 85 Squadron, Lieutenant Horace Fulford. In his copy, Fulford made numerous handwritten annotations and stuck in a number of previously unpublished photographs all of which have been faithfully reproduced.




War Bird


Book Description

From Three at 4:43 And here comes my friend, limping on his heavy boot, the heel come off. A cobbler's shop appears, and I buy the black nails, the dwarf's hammer, glue and strapping. I work hard on it, bending there until he speaks and walks on. But as he is dead, his voice and step make no sound. In his third book of poems, David Gewanter takes on wartime America, showing our personal costs and inextricable complicities. The constructs of our social lives, the conventions of our political values, the ambitions of our private fantasies—all these collide comically and tragically. Here, the far right marries the far left, and the sacred is undone by the profane. Gewanter's ironic vision pulls together details from science, history, philosophy, the disappearing dailies, and the emotional life of an engaged and singular mind into poems on the move with tense rhythms, rich correspondences, and daring hairpin turns. War Bird gives the lie to the shining moral complacencies of the homefront. Unsettling yet radiant, this collection is a book for troubled times, for what Whitman called, in “1861,” our “hurrying, crashing, sad, distracted year.”




War Bird Ace


Book Description

Capt. Field E. Kindley, with the famous Eddie Rickenbacker, was one of America’s foremost World War I flying aces. Like Rickenbacker’s, Kindley’s story is one of fierce dogfights, daring aerial feats, and numerous brushes with death. Yet unlike Rickenbacker’s, Kindley’s story has not been fully told until now. Field Kindley gained experience with the RAF before providing leadership for the U.S. Air Service. Kindley was the fourth-ranking American air ace; his exploits earned him a Distinguished Service Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster from the United States and a Distinguished Flying Cross from the British government. In February 1920, during a practice drill Kindley led, some enlisted men unwittingly entered the bombing target area. “Buzzing” the troops to warn them off the field, Kindley somehow lost control of his plane and died in the ensuing crash. Using arduously gathered primary materials and accounts of Great War aces, Jack Ballard tells the story of this little-known hero from the glory days of aerial warfare. Through this tale, an era and a daring flyer live again.




War Birds


Book Description

Dagbogsnotater af en ukendt amerikansk pilot, der deltog i 1. verdenskrig beskriver her pilotens oplevelser og den tids luftoperationer. Redigeret som flyvelitteratur snarere end et historisk værk.




German War Birds


Book Description

Dramatic true stories of air combat featuring Germany’s greatest pilots: “AWorld War I aviation history classic” (Over the Front). In these riveting accounts, Manfred von Richthofen, Max Immelmann, Oswald Boelcke, and other famous daredevil flyers are joined by lesser-known but equally resourceful colleagues such as Rudolf von Eschwege and Hans Schüz as they take part in furious battles in the sky—and close escapes on the ground when brought down on the wrong side of the lines. German War Birds contains some of the earliest information to appear after the war about air combat in the Middle East and Russia, as well as the Western Front, and about the significance of observation balloons as targets that were viciously attacked. The author focuses on the heart of the action and recreates the experiences of the airborne war with immediacy and excitement—drawing the reader into events as they happen.




Canadian Warbird Survivors


Book Description

The purpose of this handbook is to provide aviation enthusiasts with a handbook on where to find the surviving retired military aircraft preserved in Canada. The majority of the Canadian Warbird and War Prize Survivors are on display within a significant number of aviation museums. Many others are displayed as "gate guards" on or near a number of Canadian and Allied Armed Forces Bases and installations. There are also a few in the hands of private owners and collectors that have been restored to flying status. These include a number of foreign warbird survivors that were brought back to Canada as War Prizes. The museum staffs and volunteer organizations such as the Canadian Aviation Preservation Association (CAPA) have done tremendous work in preserving military and civilian aircraft that have been a major part of Canada's aviation heritage. A few of these aircraft are illustrated in this book, along with a short description of the aircraft flown by Canadian servicemen and women. The aircraft are listed alphabetically, along with a city or museum location, the manufacturer, aircraft serial number and call sign where known. Canadian Warbird and War Prize Survivors is part of a series on aircraft used by the Canadian Forces throughout its history.




Wyoming Warbird Survivors 2003


Book Description

During the twentieth century, civil and military aviation has played a prominent role in the history and development of Wyoming. Commercial operators have exploited the advantages offered by aircraft to overcome its unique challenges of geography and climate. By virtue of Wyomings location in the Western part of the USA, a wide variety of military and commercial aircraft and in particular firebombers, have been based there through the years. The list of military aircraft types that made up the tapestry of Wyoming aviation is extensive. While many older military aircraft types no longer grace the airspace over Wyoming, a few survivors may be viewed in their former splendor as they stand as gate guards outside the Air and Army National Guard Bases in Cheyenne, or as museum exhibits at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base. The incredible collection of firebombers maintained by D & G Inc., and Hawkins and Powers Aviation at Greybull, as well as the firefighting aircraft flown by Hirth Air Tankers can also be found in Wyoming. This booklet provides a comprehensive guide on the locations to the historic warbirds still serving their country as firefighters, or where they are currently on display in the state.




Colorado Warbird Survivors 2003


Book Description

Many examples of aircraft that saw service in the various armed forces of the United States are currently being restored to flying status or preserved in museums in the state of Colorado. Some of them have significant war records, and a few are currently standing as gate guardians outside their former airbases. These Warbirds are a permanent part of our modern history, and they deserve to be remarked upon and remembered. This handbook provides a simple checklist of where the surviving military aircraft in Colorado are located now, along with a few photographs and a brief history of their service in the US military. This book should spark your interest in some of the military aviation history that can be found in the air museums and airports of this front range state. Colorado Warbird Survivors is specifically intended to provide a where are they guide for residents and visitors to Colorado who are interested in its rich resources of historical military aircraft. Contact numbers are provided for the museums, should you be interested in learning more about each aircraft. Perhaps you will then choose to visit these museums in order to appreciate the rich resources of aviation heritage preserved on your behalf.




Ohio Warbird Survivors 2003


Book Description

North America is replete in aviation history, both military and civilian. The sheer size of the United States dictated an early interest in air defense and profoundly influenced the nation's dependence on air travel. It is no wonder that the United States developed as an air-faring nation. A large part of the leadership that contributed to that development can be traced to America's Air Force. Indeed, its proud military heritage is embodied in the dedicated individuals who have served and continue to do so-and in the marvelous aircraft they have flown. The preservation and public display of these aircraft is a labor of love for many, including the editor of this book. If you are an enthusiast of military aviation history, or one with a passing interest who simply wishes to learn more, you will find a wealth of information in these well-researched pages.




California Warbird Survivors 2002


Book Description

During the twentieth century, civil and military aviation has played a prominent role in the history and development of California. Commercial operators have exploited the advantages offered by aircraft to overcome its unique challenges of geography and climate. By virtue of Californias comparative size and strategic importance on the West Coast of the continental USA, a wide variety of military aircraft have been based there through the years. The list of military aircraft types that made up the tapestry of California aviation is as extensive as the list of legendary figures who have contributed to its amazing history. While most of the military aircraft types no longer grace the airspace over California, many can be viewed in their former splendor as they stand as gate guards or museum exhibits. This booklet provides a comprehensive guide to where these restored aircraft can be found. Complementing the details concerning aircraft specifications and roles, the author has included many facts. Finally, the descriptions of the recovery, restoration and preservation efforts stand as a tribute to the many volunteers who have devoted time, energy and financial support to ensure this rich heritage is preserved.