As December 2003 marks the accepted centenary of flight, it is a most appropriate time to celebrate flight in Southern Africa. This lavishly illustrated, large format book tells the story of civil and military aviation in South Africa between 1816 and 1940. Each chapter has an introductory article, to set the scene for its subject, and the rest of the chapter is made up of pictures with comprehensive explanatory captions.
Completing the book are ten appendices, including South African aces of WW1, SAA fleet 1934-1939, civil aircraft registered in SA up to mid-1940, SAAF serial numbers 1920 - 1939 and surviving aircraft and parts (1910 - 1940) in South Africa. A comprehensive bibliography and index is provided.
The photographs are well reproduced on matt paper, with many of the photographs not being published before. The coffee-table nature of the book makes it easy to pick up and study a few pages at random, allowing oneself to be lost in the memories of airfields long gone, such as Wingfield, Youngsfield, Stamford Hill and the glory days of Rand Airport with SAA airliners parked outside the magnificent terminal building. One can only marvel at photographs of these early aviators landing on the beach at Muizenburg, Hermanus and the various horse race courses around South Africa!
Although not a definitive history of early aviation in South Africa, this book goes a long way to filling a sorely needed gap. In African Skies is a "must have" for anyone interested in the history of flight in South Africa.
340x240mm, 361pp, over 800 images
