The Greatest Flight
By Peter McMillan
Historical text by Terry Gwynn-Jones
There may never be enough beautifully photographed coffee-table books on aviation, but The Greatest Flight goes a long way toward easing the shortage. The book covers the re-creation of an 11,000- mile flight in 1919 by a Vimy biplane bomber, huge for its time, with a 68-foot wingspan. The flight was made aboard a $1.6 million Vimy replica built by Peter McMillan in 1993. Perhaps you saw the adventurous 1994 flight on a National Geographic television special. Aside from the historical background and thoughtful layout, the book benefits enormously from the best of 44,000 photographs taken during the flight by veteran National Geographic photographer James L. Stanfield.
Not one to rest on his laurels, McMillan is preparing the Vimy to retrace in 1996 a flight by another Vimy from London to Capetown, South Africa. A third Vimy crossed the Atlantic from Newfoundland to Ireland in 1919; and, yes, McMillan has his eye on re-creating that flight as well. Look for "A Flying Lesson" on the last page to learn what it is like to fly the old bomber. Available in bookstores for $39.95, or by calling National Geographic Customer Service at 800/647-5463. The cost is $29.95 to National Geographic subscribers, or $36.95 to nonsubscribers. Published by Turner Publishing, Atlanta. — Alton K. Marsh
MUSTANG
Photographs by Dan Patterson
Text by Paul Perkins
Mustang, a Living History Series book about the P-51, follows other beautifully photographed paperback reports on the B-17 and B-24. The large-format books are printed on high-grade paper that does justice to the careful work by artist/photographer Dan Patterson.
Crewmen in authentic uniforms give the aircraft a human scale, showing exactly what it was like to fight aboard the famous aircraft.
Look for additional books in the series covering the Royal Air Force Lancaster bomber and the P-47. When you see Mustang, you'll want the whole series. Available in bookstores for $15.95, or write Howell Press, 1147 River Road, Suite 2, Charlottesville, Virginia 22901; telephone 804/977-4006. — AKM
Flying For Fun
By Paul C. Heintz
If any of your nonpilot friends have the slightest desire to become a pilot, this book ought to send them running to the nearest flight school. In 464 pages illustrated with several black-and-white photographs, attorney and AOPA trustee Heintz enthusiastically recounts the impact a pilot certificate has had on his life. He doesn't shy away from the dangers of weather or the finer points of aircraft ownership, and that makes it valuable reading for pilots, as well. Heintz was the aviation writer for The Philadelphia Bulletin for more than a decade. He holds an airline transport pilot certificate with instrument flight instructor, advanced ground instructor, and glider ratings. Available for $24.50, including tax and shipping, from George T. Bisel Company, 710 S. Washington Square, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106-3517; telephone 800/247-3526 or 215/922- 5760. — AKM
The Illustrated Guidebook to Residential Airparks (USA-East)
By Judie Rancourt and Peter Teuber
It was a massive job to visit or overfly 60 sites, take aerial photographs, and self-publish a guidebook to residential airparks in the eastern United States, and the hard work shows. If sales go well, the authors hope to survey airparks in the western United States during 1996.
Included are charts showing lot size; home values; average taxes; and even water, sewage, and heating information. However, this is only a guide, author Peter Tebuer says. Those contemplating living with their airplane should "look with their brain, not their heart," and do in-depth research — even to the point of hiring an attorney to look at the paperwork prior to purchase.
The guidebook has the blessing of Dave Sclair, who is the publisher of General Aviation News & Flyer and president of the Living With Your Plane Association in Tacoma, Washington. Available by sending $32.60 to HPT Aero Publishing, Post Office Box 1874, Wayne, New Jersey 07470. — AKM
