Books

Well, this section is a hopefully growing list of books on and slightly off topic

Most of these books will not make you a better pilot at all, but it is still some sort of consolation to be shot down (virtually) with some sort of superior knowledge to back up your achievements. If you are not commited to spend your spare bucks on upgrading your flight rig aka PC, fishing poles, cars etc. this sort of "paper work" is for you. And it is entertaining anyway. We are not linking the books to book sellers, since we do not care to sell the "clicks", however, if you care to shell out some money on dying any wiser (real or virtual) look here: Most will point you to amazon anyway.

Given time and inclination, a Group member will give you a personal view on each title listed here, since we only list books already n some members bookshelf. This way we try to help you sort the worthwhile form the less helpfull.. But this is step two. Step one is to assist you in finding worthwhile fodder for your curiosity. So bear with us. It is a section for the hard-core simmers, if at all.

There are tons of paper filled with publishings on every aspect of allied and axis aircraft -at least in the "western" theaters. ICAG´s claim to fame in this section is on helping you to find the stuff on eastern front - let alone VVS - issues. Not to mention the P-39.

If you care to expose yourself to the common stuff look here. (Have a look at their books section.).

There is one question left to be answered: How much wiser will you die (virtual or real), after having read the literarure presented here ?

A tough one. Just an example: There is exactly one book on the P-39 telling about its wing incedence. Most books on any war bird will tell you less about its technical specs, than a builders plate on a Cessna 172. And with much less acuracy.

Introduction to Flight. Fourth Edition
by John D. Anderson, Jr.

.Hdbnd 766 pgs:

Publisher: McGraw-Hill, ISBN 0-07-109282-x, 2000

Form the foreword: The purpose of the present edition is the same as that of the first three: to present the basic fundamentals of aerospace engineering at the introductory level in the clearest, simplest, and most motivating way possible. Since the book is meant to be enjoyed as well as understood, I have made every effort to ensure a clear and readable text. The choice of subject matter and its organization, the order in which topics are introduced, and how these ideas are explained have been carefully planned with the uninitiated reader in mind. Because the book is intended as a self contained text at the first and second year levels, I avoid tedious details and massive "handbook" data. Instead, I introduce and discuss fundamental concepts in as straightforward and clear cut a manner as possible, knowing that the book has also found favor with those who wish to learn something about this subject outside the classroom.

The overwhelmingly favorable response to the earlier editions from students, teachers, and practicing professionals both here and abroad is a source of gratification. Particularly pleasing is the fact that those using the book have enjoyed reading its treatment of the fascinating, challenging, and sometimes awesome discipline of aerospace engineering.

Gives you ample warning, I guess

Stick and Rudder. An Explanation of the Art of Flying.
by Wolfgang Langewiesche

.Hdbnd, 386 ogs, diagrams

Publisher: McGraw Hill; ISBN:0-07-036240-8; (First 1944, updated 1972)

Stick and Rudder is the Grandpa of all books on flying technique - and it is still the yardstick. Most intriguing is its origin in the forties, it is contemporary if you will. And it is a good read.

Remember that scene form "Tuskegee Airmen" in the train, where one of the actors is reading a book ? If you look close, it is Stick and Rudder. It does not get more authentic than that..
.

Air Pilot's Manual - Volume 1 - Flying Training [English version]
by Trevor Thom

.Paperback:

Publisher: Airlife Pub Ltd; ISBN: 1840373954; (July 2002)

4th Revised Edition Flying Training manoeuvres through to Instrument Flying. Preflight Briefings and How to Fly the manoeuvres. Airwork Summaries. The PPL - Private Pilot Licence - (A) Skill Test.

All books in this series are done in a textbook style. Well written and illustrated.
With exercises and tests. Together you get introduced to the skills a private pilot licence in Europe requires. Brand new edition.

Air Pilot's Manual - Volume 3 - Air Navigation [English version]
by Trevor Thom.

Paperback:

Publisher: Airlife Pub Ltd; ISBN: 1840371404; (July 2002)

3rd Revised Edition. Basic Navigation Theory. Using the Flight Navigator Computer. Flight Planning. En Route Navigation. PPL Radio Navigation Skill Test

Air Pilot's Manual - Volume 4 - The Aeroplane - Technical [English version]
by Trevor Thom.

Paperback:

Publisher: Airlife Pub Ltd; ISBN: 1840371552; (July 2002)

3rd Revised EditionThe Aeroplane - Technical covering Aircraft (General) and Aircraft (Type). Principles of Flight. Airframe, Engines & Systems. Flight Instruments. Airworthiness and Performance. Aircraft (Type) - Aeroplanes. Exercises and Answers

Air Pilot's Manual - Volume 5 - Radio Navigation and Instrument Flying [English version]
by Trevor Thom.

Paperback:

Publisher: Airlife Pub Ltd; ISBN: 1840373229; (July 2002)

2nd Revised Edition. Radio Navigation Instruments. FlyingIR Rating. IMC Rating. Night Rating. Exercises and Answers

Avionics for the Pilot
by Joe Johnson.

Paperback: ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.76 x 8.58 x 5.98

Publisher: Airlife Pub Ltd; ISBN: 1853108871; (July 2002)

Here is a straightforward introduction, clear of technical jargon, to the complexities of the many radio and navigational systems that are commonly used on aircraft. It provides a fundamental overview of the principles and operation of many instruments and aids found aboard all types and sizes of aeroplane. Starting with radio communication systems such as VHF and HF, in-flight interphone and Flight Data Recorder Systems, the book progresses to avionic navigation systems, instrument landing, radio altimeter and marker receiver systems. Clearly written, with excellent diagrams and sketches.

Basic Aerobatics
by R.D. Campbell, Temptest B.

no pic

Paperback:

Publisher: Voyageur Press; ASIN: 1853101087; (January 1993)

With many ilustrations the book will introduce you to the basics of aerobatics and will talk you through a number of manouvres like Chandelle, Immelmann, Barrel Roll etc. Very useful.

Flying Cadets & Keep 'em Flying
by Historic Aviation.

VHS b/w. Running time 1:10

Hollywood goes to war with these two great Air Force
recruiting films.
Flying Cadets - "For $75 a month, free room and board, become a flying cadet and earn an Army Air Corp commission." Take your Primary Training in sleek Ryan STAs... your first solo, maneuvers and aerobatics. Leave for Randolph field, "The West Point of the Air", for basic training in a North American 'BT'... cross countries, night flying and formation flight. Now on to Kelly for final training in AT-6s and... those silver wings. Super photography - and oh, weren’t those Ryan STs great. (B&W, 40 min.)
Keep ‘em Flying - So you didn’t make it as a flying cadet - don’t give up. There is still a place for you in the Air Corp as a navigator, bombardier, aerial gunner, radio operator or mechanic. As a prospective job candidate you’ll learn the importance of the job and get hands-on training overhauling engines, patching bullet holes, manning the control tower, etc. Learn a trade with Uncle Sam!

This is really a fun item. And it is historic footage. The quality of sound and the images are not allways top notch. But a great "immerser" any gate.

go here to get it

Caution: This VHS is in NTSC format, your VCR must support that. And your TV should be able to cope with pseudo-PAL input. Check before you buy.

Stearman N2-S Tape 1: Student Flight Checkout. Primary Flight Instruction
by Historic Aviation.

You’re a naval flight cadet in these tapes narrated by Robert Taylor. You’ll get lessons in the correct way to perform all the basic maneuvers in the Navy N2-S Stearman. Watch the incorrect methods as Cadet MacDribble, in his comedy of errors, grounds loops, flips his Stearman on its back, loses his oil, taxies into other trainers’ tails and blunders off the wing walk through the wing. Remarkable air to air photography and in-cockpit instruction puts you right in the Cadet’s seat. Great refresher course for any taildragger pilot.
Tape 1:
- Flying Sense (familiarization)
- Before You Fly (pre-flight)
- First Flights
VHS (Running time 1:40) b/w

This is really a fun item. And it is historic footage. The quality of sound and the images are not allways top notch.

Want to learn how it is done ? Get it.. The next best thing to real flight instruction.

go here to get it

Caution: This VHS is in NTSC format, your VCR must support that. And your TV should be able to cope with pseudo-PAL input. Check before you buy.

Stearman N2-S Tape 2: Student Flight Checkout. Primary Flight Instruction
by Historic Aviation.

Tape 2:
- Attitudes of Flight
- Takeoffs, Patterns and Landing

VHS (Running time 1:15) b/w

This is really a fun item. And it is historic footage. The quality of sound and the images are not allways top notch.

Want to learn how it is done ? Get it.. The next best thing to real flight instruction.

go here to get it

Caution: This VHS is in NTSC format, your VCR must support that. And your TV should be able to cope with pseudo-PAL input. Check before you buy.

SNJ / AT-6: Student Flight Checkout. Intermediate Flight Training
by Historic Aviation.

VHS b/w. Running time 1:10

Continue your naval flying instruction in the North American SNJ (AT-6 for the air corps) advanced trainer. We offer the complete advanced flight instruction course of nine films. Chapter headings include:
Before You Fly, Take-offs, Approaches and Landings, Crosswind Approaches, Emergencies, Small Fields, Wingover and Chandelles, The Wingover Roll, The Barrel Roll and Fundamentals of Formation.

This is really a fun item. And it is historic footage. The quality of sound and the images are not allways top notch.

Want to learn how it is done ? Get it.. The next best thing to real flight instruction.

go here to get it

Caution: This VHS is in NTSC format, your VCR must support that. And your TV should be able to cope with pseudo-PAL input. Check before you buy.

Formation Flight Manual
by: T34 Association, Inc, illustrated by Lou Drendel.
Formation Flying, The art (Two VHS Tapes)
by: Darton International Inc.

Paperback, 35 pages, many illustrations. 2 VHS Tapes (NTSC) ca. 90 mins each

The booklet gives the basic reference, the two tapes - with classrooom fooratge and many scenes in the air gives the how-to. From station keeping to basic manoeurvres like truns and crossovers to landing in formation etc. Very well, done, good quality visuals.

Caution: This VHS is in NTSC format, your VCR must support that. And your TV should be able to cope with pseudo-PAL input. Check before you buy.

Fighting Cockpits 1914-2000. Design and development of military aircraft cockpits
by L.F.E. Coombs

Format hdbnd: 246 x 189mm, 192 pages
Publisher: MBI Publishing Co, USA 1999

Illustrations : 8 pages colour photographs, 126 b/w photographs and 7 line drawings
It studies the evolution of how a pilot controls the flight of an aircraft from the first early days of World War I, when 100mph was a barely attainable speed and bombs were often dropped by hand, to current designs that incorporate fly-by-wire systems and laser directed weapons.
Well written survey, mostly British examples. Quite usefull for the Cockpit-Builder.

Cockpit. An Illustrated History of WWII Aircraft Interiors
by Donald Nijboer

305 x 228mm
176 pages
llustrations : Colour and b/w photographs

Reviews : ". . . Photographer Dan Patterson has photographed the cockpits of 37 preserved or restored combatants, principally British, American and German, with a handful of Japanese and a solitary Russian, the Yak-3. . . The cockpit photographs are superb: large format, carefully and atmospherically lit by a craftsman . . . and reproduced so well that you can not only read every tiny placard, but see where a mechanic's screwdriver slipped when tightening up an access panel. . . Cockpit will satisfy that natural curiosity of pilots by providing a look under the canopies of many aircraft that are not generally accessible. . . Cockpit is probably as close as most of us will ever get to 'flying' these aircraft." - PILOT

Fighter Combat: Tactics and Maneuvering by Robert L. Shaw
	Hardcover: 428 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.15 x 9.46 x 8.10 Publisher: United States Naval Inst.; ISBN: 0870210599; (September 1988) The Bible of Fighter Combat (Jets and WWII). A must have.

The Luftwaffe Fighter Force. The View from the Cockpit.
by Adolf Galland et. al. ; edited by David C. Isby

Hardcover: 238 pages ; Some BW Photos

Publisher: Greenhil Books USA/UK; ISBN: 1-85367-327-7; 1998

This unique compilation of in depth accounts by major figures in the German fighter force in World War II describes, in the words of the men who did the flying and the fighting, how the Luftwaffe operated and carried out its missions. These accounts are written by professionals for professionals and record the German fighter leaders' views on their aircraft, the aircraft used by the Allies, operations, tactics, training, technology, aircrew and reasons for the ultimate failure of the Luftwaffe. They were compiled for the use of the USAAF soon after the war was over.

Many of the reports are by the 103 victory ace and chief of the fighter force Adolf Galland, the author of the classic memoir The First and the Last. He discusses, among other things, escort tactics, fighter tactics, fighter bomber tactics and Luftwaffe opinions of Allied aircraft performance. In addition, the chief of the ground attack force, 'Hitsch' Hitschhold, shows how his FW 190s and Stukas accomplished high risk operations.

A must have. Very instructive for mission building.

Luftwaffe Fighter Aces. The Jagdflieger And their combat Tactics and techniques
by Mike Spick

Sftbnd: 256 pages ; b/w photos, diagrams

Publisher: Balantine Books, USA.; ISBN: 0-8041-1696-2 (1997)

To discover the secret of the Luftwaffe pilots' success, aviation historian Mike Spick examines the exploits of Nazi Germany's most famous pilots, focusing on the methods and tactics of individual aces, examining the importance of machinery, training, climate, numbers, and theater of war, and using firsthand accounts to put the reader in the pilot's seat. This book is easily the best possible guide to how the German aces achieved such amazing results in battle.

My take: As close as you might get .

Allied Fighter Aces of World War II. The Air Combat Tactics and Techniques of World War II.
by Mike Spick

Hdbnd: 236 pages ; b/w photos, diagrams

Publisher: Greenhill Books, UK, ISBN:1-85367-282-3 (1997)

Mike Spick, author of the excellent Luftwaffe Fighter Aces, examines in detail every major theatre of the air war, compares the aircraft and operational conditions, and highlights individual tactics and methods of the best of the aces. Twentyfive diagrams graphically illustrate some of the most successful combat tactics. With first-hand accounts putting the reader in the thick of the action, Allied Fighter Aces is an exciting, fast-paced read as well as a major source of reliable information for the air combat enthusiast.

My take: As close as you might get .

Luftwaffe Bomber Aces. Men, Mashines, Methods.
by Mike Spick

Hdbnd: 239 pages ; b/w photos, diagrams

Publisher: Greenhill Books, UK, ISBN:1-85367-444-3 (2001)

This time it is Stukas and Bombers of the Luftwaffe.

My take: As close as you might get .

Black Cross/Red Star : Vol. 1, Operation Barbarossa 1941

by Christer Bergstrom, Andrey Mikhailov

Hardcover: 340 pages

Publisher: Pacifica Pr; ASIN: 0935553487; (August 15, 2000)Insert contents.

Volume one of the series. Rather bad print and no colour templates etc.

Still a must have. (out of print it seems)

Black Cross/Red Star: The Air War over the Eastern Front: Resurgence, January-June 1942
by Christer Bergstrom, Andrey Mikhailov

Hardcover: 320 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.88 x 11.24 x 8.78

Publisher: Pacifica Pr; ISBN: 0935553517; (September 2001)

This is volume 2 in a (planed) series of books on the eastern front air war. What to say about it ? Well it got an outline, from air war strategies to their implementation, showcased by individual air battles. At the end the authors face to many unresolved issues, presented by their sources to convince the reader.

Tracking individual units or dispositions is impossible, due to the general picture exemplified by examples approach. But still, this series is about to replace anything available on eastern front aerial warfare published so far, since the authors got access to the archives of both sides. Whether they manage to master the amount of data intelectually or coherently is a different matter.

My Rating: Since there is nothing better, well get it.

Stopped at Stalingrad. The Luftwaffe and Hitler's Defeat in the East 1942-1943

by Joel S.A. Hayward

Softcover: 393 pages

Publisher: University Press of Kansa, ISBN 0-7006-1146-0, 1998.

Continues where Black Cross/Red Star stopped. From general doctrine and strategy to its implementation. Maps, order of battle, tactics. Covers the Crimea, the advances to Stalingrad and the Kuban attack. Very well documented. A must have to understand the backgrounds of the air war in the east. No attempts to give details on the actual flying etc..

A must have.

The Soviet Airforce. Since 1918
by Alexander Boyd

Hdbnd: 260 pages

Publisher: Stein and Day Pub, USA
ISBN: No ISBN or Library of Congress number; 1977

A pre-perestroika book on the topic. WWII is covered well. Strong points are the overviews on VVS organisation and reorganisation and the impact of Stalins purges on the VVS. Surprisingly unafected by cold war issues.

Certainly outdated. And out of print. A hard to find Book.

Soviet Aces of World War 2 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 15)
by Hugh Morgan

Paperback: 96 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.24 x 9.69 x 7.19

Publisher: Osprey Pub Co; ISBN: 1855326329; (November 1997)

Nothing much to say about it. As usual trying to pack as much information into a small volume as possible. Pretty cursory.

Stalin's Falcons: The Aces of the Red Star: A Tribute to the Notable Fighter Pilots of the Soviet Air Forces 1918-1953 by Tomas Polak, Christopher Shores
	Hardcover: 384 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.42 x 9.94 x 7.18 Publisher: Grub Street the Basement; ISBN: 1902304012; (June 1999) A list of VVS aces with short bios. Not as complete as "Stalins Eagles" but with a list of VVS units and their operational records and a good survey of the VVS organisational history. Including maps and other info on dispositions.

Stalin's Eagles: An Illustrated Study of the Soviet Aces of World War II and Korea (Schiffer Military History)
by Hans D. Seidl

Hardcover: 368 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.41 x 12.31 x 9.45

Publisher: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.; ISBN: 0764304763; illustr edition (June 1999)

A rather expensive book on russian aces. The list is more complete than Stalin's Falcons. A long list of short biographies, a lot with fotos. Repetitive as far as the well known pilots go. Not much more. And few coloured templates of ace's planes. Well, not really worth the money.

Soviet Combat Aircraft of the Second World War: Single-Engined Fighters
by Yefim Gordon, Dmitri Khazanov

Hardcover: ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.69 x 11.41 x 8.70

Publisher: Motorbooks International; ISBN: 1857800834;

Given the scarcity of reliable information on soviet AC, this is the standard book on the topic. It is technical, it tells the story of the developement of combat aircraft, their production, technological problems etc. - in some cases it is more specific than some "monographs" and it keeps the whole picture in perspective. Some of the performance data might be questionable all right (they are anyways), the lack of detailed scale drawings is sort of vexing looking at the price of the book - not counting in, the lack of operational information on the types described - but still: The standard volume on soviet AC in WWII. Same goes for its twin engine companion.

My rating: Must have

Soviet Combat Aircraft of the Second World War: Twin-Engined Fighters, Attack Aircraft and Bombers
by Yefim Gordon, Dmitri Khazanov

Hardcover: 176 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.66 x 11.44 x 8.70

Publisher: Motorbooks International; ISBN: 1857800842; (August 1999)

See above. Must have.

Attack of the Airacobras: Soviet Aces, American P-39S, and the Air War Against Germany (Modern War Studies)
by Dmitriy Loza, Frank Borman, Von Hardesty (Introduction)

Hardcover: 392 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.25 x 9.52 x 6.38

Publisher: Univ Pr of Kansas; ISBN: 0700611401; (December 2001)

Believe me, guys. This is THE book about the Airacobra on the eastern front. A must read. Besides the Airacobra part it gives really detailed and well documented insights into VVS air operations, the ground echelon and support etc. starting from 43. It is essential for mission building etc. to say the least, down to the typical disposition of AAA on a Soviet air-field. And it tells the story of the VVS trying to come to terms with the issue of air superiority for the first time in the Kuban battle. Tactics, flying, high command, day to day live and all.

While reading the book, you will have to stomach some red flag waving of course - sometimes even standing in, for more detailed information of individual combats - but the book certainly dokuments a change of thought in VVS tactics.

The author stresses the importance of group (flight/squadron) tactics and the performance of the leaders. Whether this is just a result of (historicly) anachronistic ideology (that communist stuff about the collective and stalinist "leadership" iconography) or the real feeling inside the ranks, the squadrons and their live, I cannot tell you.

But if Loza is right on target, his insights are invaluable and quite contrary to the individualistic views we are accustomed to. Starting with the Rickenbacker/Richthofen perspective of fighter/hunter operations.

My rating: Must Read.

Mig Aircraft Since 1937 (Putnam Aviation Series) by Bill Gunston, Yefim Gordon
	Hardcover: 304 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.92 x 10.96 x 8.34 Publisher: United States Naval Inst.; ISBN: 1557505411; (July 1998) Mostly jets, but since there is not much choice ...

Yakovlev's Piston-Engined Fighters by Yefim Gordon, Dmitriy Khazanov, Dmitry Khazanov
	Paperback: 144 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.38 x 11.04 x 8.54 Publisher: Aerofax Midland Pub Ltd; ISBN: 1857801407; (July 2002) Brand new Title. Give a very detailed account of the technical development of the Yak series AC. Interesting performance comparisons with other Russian and German contemporaries. Drawings and rare photographs.

Polyikarpov's I-16 Fighter: Its Forerunners and Progeny (Red Star, Vol 3) by Yefim Gordon, Keith Dexter
	Paperback: 128 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.34 x 11.08 x 8.52 Publisher: Aerofax Midland Pub Ltd; ISBN: 1857801318; (July 2002) Very detailed account of the development history of the "Rata". Very litlle on the flight/battle side. Many illustrations and rare photos.

Early Soviet Jet Fighters: The 1940s and Early 1950s (Red Star, Volume 4)
by Yefim Gordon

Paperback: 128 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.35 x 11.06 x 8.40

Publisher: Aerofax Midland Pub Ltd; ISBN: 1857801393; (July 2002)
Brand New. For curiosities sake : On Order

Well done as the rest of the series, many rare photographs. However most of it is postwar and a very little on the BI. Non essential.

Polikarpov Fighters in Action Pt.1 (Aircraft No. 157)
by Hans-Heiri Stapfer, Don Greer (Illustrator), Joe Sewell (Drawings)

Paperback: 50 pages

Publisher: Squadron/Signal Pubns; ISBN: 0897473434; (December 1995)

This one is about the Polikarpov Bi-Planes

Squadron/Signal Pubns series is primarily targeted at the model builder. However, besides lots of photos, the version history, generalisations on actual service, the coloured plates and the very detailed scale line drawings make them all very usefull - at least for template/skin making.

Polikarpov Fighters in Action Pt.2 (Aircraft No. 162) by Hans-Heiri Stapfer, Don Greer (Illustrator), Joe Sewell (Drawings)
	Squadron/Signal books from USA Polikarpov Fighters in Action Pt 2 (SC) The first modern monoplane fighters to see service with the Soviet AF. Saw combat in Spain. Over 100 photos, 13 color paintings, numerous line drawings, 50 pgs.

LaGG Fighters in Action (Aircraft No. 163) by Hans-Heiri Stapfer, Don Greer & Ernesto Cumpian (Illustrators), Joe Sewell (Drawings)
	Squadron/Signal books from USA ISBN: 0-89747-634-7. 1996 LaGG Fighters in Action (SC). Built primarily of wood, the LaGG fighters were among the first modern monoplane fighters to see service with the Soviet AF during WW II. Over 100 photos, 13 color paintings, numerous line drawings, 50 pages.

Pe-2 in Action (Aircraft No. 181) By Hans Heiri Stapfer
	Squadron/Signal books from USA Russia's Pe-2 was orginally designed as a high altitude interceptor before evolving into a dive-bomber. The Pe-2 underwent a continuing series of improvements and saw extensive service on the Eastern Front throughout WW II. Extensively illustrated with over 90 B&W photos, line drawings, 10 full color profiles, and three full color cover paintings. 50 pgs.