Nearly every German ace who flew before the summer of 1918 scored victories in Albatros fighters, whose introduction coincided with the development of the famous and highly successful Jagdstaffeln, the first true German fighter formations, which became a critical German air tactic and helped to wrest back air superiority from the Allies. After wreaking havoc in the skies over Arras the Albatros was eventually outclassed by succeeding generations of Allied aircraft, but still remained the most numerous and ubiquitous of all German fighters in World War I, with Albatros biplanes contributing almost two-thirds of the German fighters at the front during the Spring Offensive of 1918. This book, with its 32 color profiles, charts the unique markings and design of one of the most menacingly beautiful fighters of the war. Featuring famous and unsung aces, a multitude of first-hand accounts and original photographs, this book offers a fresh view into the experiences of the German pilots who endured a very different kind of war from the troops on the ground. While the soldiers confronted the dangers of No-Man's Land and faceless slaughter, the pilots endured deadly games of cat and mouse in the skies above the trenches.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
interesting but thin and expensive book:
This book is also thin and expensive, good photos black and white, some color drawings to give markings on wings etc.
Full of technical info and obscure history of pilots. I think it cost too much.
A Pleasure As Always:
I ordered this expecting VanWyngardens usual combination of scholarship and skilled,entertaining writing and I was not disappointed.Harry Dempsey's illustration work,again,is breathtaking.Any WWI work done by this pair is a must-have for reference and a pleasure to read as well.
More Tales of Albatros Aces!:
Albatros fighters made up the backbone of the German Air Service in World War I. Most, if not all of Germany's aces, flew some version of the sleek Albatros craft during their combat careers. The exploits of Albatros aces were so widespread that Osprey Publishing has produced a second volume on Albatros aces, this one authored by Greg VanWyngarden. VanWyngarden's book differs from the earlier book, written by Norman Franks, in that he covers many of the lesser known Albatros aces not covered... more info
Vintage black and white photos accompany specs on the craft.:
Greg VanWyngarden's ALBATROS ACES OF WORLD WAR 1 PART 2 provides a followup to Osprey Aircraft 32, the first volume of the two-part series examining the design and production of the Albatros aircraft series, and is recommended for prior owners of the first volume and for specialty collections in aviation or World War I history. Vintage black and white photos accompany specs on the craft.
