Janes Fighting Aircraft of World War I

Published by Studio, 1990, hardcover, illustrated, 305 pages, 26.2 cms x 32.4 cms x 2.7 cms, condition: as new.

 Based upon the 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918 and 1919 editions of All the World's Aircraft, Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War I offers a comprehensive look at the history and changing technology of military aircraft during these years of dramatic invention and rapid development and provides an expert as well as fascinating single-volume reference work for all those with an interest in the history of flight and war in the air.

It is straight not for everyone. It's a compendium of the 1919 volume with some snippets about warplanes in the war years edition. But much is missing, some was discussed earlier edition and didn't make this edit, some was because they were still government secrets. It's also very much from the perception of the allies (with the Central Powers getting more in depth but with a heavy bias in opinions of the aircraft expressed). Only someone well versed in the time period and an initial knowledge on the topic should read this book.

The best part of it is definitely the hard to find knowledge of smaller countries or companies production. It highlights these (like SA countries getting lengthy blurbs) and the Engine section is presented in a way that emphasis engine importance and descriptions/pictures that aren't often seen elsewhere. The pictures in general are great and some are very uncommon. There are also good drawings and cutaways that are awesome. I will say, despite the bias that hurts some of it, being able to see how Allied investigators wrote up descriptions of new enemy aircraft recovered is hard to come by AND an extremely interesting point of view.