“The British Fighter since 1912 (Putnam Aeronautical Books)” by Francis K. Mason

 

448 pages, Naval Institute Press, ISBN-13: 978-1557500823

Who wouldn’t want a book for a buck? That’s what I paid for The British Fighter since 1912 by Francis K. Mason, part of their Putnam Aeronautical Books series, from the Clinton-Macomb Public Library book sale. And why not? Can’t do wrong for a buck, can I? This encyclopedic 80-year history of the British fighter aircraft, spanning development from the Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2 to the British Aerospace EFA (forerunner of the Tornado), is by far the most comprehensive, book on the subject I have ever come across. The design, development and history of 272 aircraft in all are covered between its covers, including many prototypes for which no production contract was awarded.

Most of the fighters portrayed are shown with 3-view drawings and all with detailed specifications, seemingly reproduced from the official factory drawings. 123 of the subjects are WWI era planes, including the Pemberton-Billing P.B.9, the Robey Peters Tractor Scout and the Austin-Ball A.F.B.1. Mason does an equally good job on the interwar period and early monoplane developments, and even into the cold war jet age. In all cases the author is informative, readable and the text is crammed with detail I have never seen before, e.g. the Martin Baker M.B.5’s roll-rate of 94deg/sec. Props to Mason for all the intellectual legwork in putting this book together – and props to me for a helluva buy.