If you enjoy building the flying machines of World War One, you surely won’t want to miss this forthcoming (and impressive) 257-page publication. Cross & Cockade has long been renowned for its well-researched and insightful treatment of such aircraft, and many a modeller will have poured over the pages of different type-specific books in the range.
If you favour the interesting DH2, C & C’s substantial new study offers a truly rounded examination, from a technical perspective as well as the more human aspect, by also focusing on the men that flew these pioneering aircraft. The narrative begins by exploring the beginnings of George Holt Thomas’s Aircraft Manufacturing Company, which eventually employed the now famous aircraft designer and test pilot Geoffrey de Havilland. The latter would eventually spearhead much work on Farman Experimental (FE) pusher types, leading to the DH2.
The text soon delves into wartime prototype testing of the DH1 and DH2, and combat employment proper, charting all the relevant air war phases, how the DH2 operated and the pilots in question. Each Royal Flying Corps squadron and their use of the DH2 is explained. Beyond the war in Europe, the book describes the Royal Flying Corps’ presence in Egypt, Palestine, Arabia and Macedonia, as well as UK Home defence and training.
The chapter DH2 in Detail takes a more technical approach, describing the airframe structure, cockpit, engine and armament, and many readers will find the DH2 serials index handy for researching individual airframes. Underpinning all this is a super array of photographs, showing the aircraft as a whole and in close-up… there being a wealth of detail for modellers. Useful too are the excellent scale drawings and colour profile/plan illustrations; the latter are by Ronny Bar, of Wingnut Wings fame.
Ultimately, this is an all-encompassing study of a fascinating aircraft, with a wealth of material for modellers to appreciate and employ on their builds. It’s a bargain at £25 and it will be available direct via Cross & Cockade International, from October 17 this year.
THE AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURING COMPANY
DE HAVILLAND DH2
AND THE MEN WHO FLEW THEM
By: Barry Gray, Trevor Henshaw, Mick Davis, Mike Kelsey
Format: Perfect-bound A4
ISBN: 978-0-9555734-3-9
