Books for Summer & Fall.

June is just about behind us, and not too many new books. However July looks very good with at least 10 new aviation titles. I think the rest of this year will be very good too. I have seen many more new titles, and a few re-prints, coming out. Check back often to see what I find.

Book re-issues.

Re-issues, or re-prints. Is this a good thing, or a bad thing. I guess it depends on if you have the original book, and if the new one has any changes. Sometimes they do, sometimes not. So if you do have the original, and they make no changes except the date, you are good. This helps the person who never bought the original, but sometimes hurts the person who has the book and the book has gone up in value. Although a first print date is always a good thing as these seem to hold their value more. If they do make changes the newer one is a good thing to have. You can always sell, or trade, the old one. Re-prints do not happen that often. Just keep a lookout, or contact me. Remember, I do military aviation only.

Books, ie. photo content.

It seems that every week I have someone say to me that they will not buy a book because it is not written in English. The book may have 200 unpublished photos, but I still hear the not written in English whine. Remember the old saying, one picture is worth a thousand words.
The non-English text should be only a minor setback. With a little effort you can figure out what the captions are saying. Please, do not let the text problem keep you from having a very good book for your collection. If you stay with English text you will be missing out. Also keep in mind that during World War Two there were many, many nations involved in the air war. Most of these countries have published books about their air war history, and this is not limited to W.W.2. So do yourself a favor. Look twice at these books. You may really see something you like.

Kagero aviation books.

Here is a great line of books from this Polish publisher on aviation subjects. They have 10 different series including Air Battles, Air Miniatures, Aircraft Aces, Famous Airplanes, Legends of Aviation, Monografie, Photosniper, Topcolors, Topdrawings, and Topcolors. For the most part they are all good and worth having. My thanks to Kagero for this wide assortment. The only problem here in the US is that the importer seems to be overcharging. I am sure they need to make some kind of markup, but I think they overdo it. You can order these titles from overseas and even with shipping they cost less than the US retails. So, either way check some of these out.
As long as we show support the publisher will continue to have new titles.

Bf 109G-2 book.

There is a series of books from Wings & Wheels Publications called Special Museum Line and the 109 is #43 in the set. Just as the series says, these are walk-around style photo books of different aircraft in different museums. This title is of the 109 in the RAF Museum at Hendon.
These 9x9, soft cover books have around 195 color photos, some drawings, and a few color profiles, and 72 pages. Very good books for the model builder, although somewhat high in price.
Most of the restored aircraft you see in these types of books are accurate, but be cautious as sometimes these museums make errors in colors. So you be the judge and just enjoy the book.

Book values.

How much are my books worth. People ask me this all the time, and I tell them that if you take care of the book it will always be worth what you paid for it. In most cases the value goes up.
So please take good care of your books. Think of them as an investment. Also, do not store them in a non-climate controlled area. Keep them in the house. I have seen some of the better hard cover books go up three to four times in value over just a few years. And as you get older please tell your family about your collection and it's value so the books do not end up in a garage sale.
If you need help with appraisal values just let me know. Military aviation only please.

Too many books on one aircraft.

Here is a situation that many people must face at one time or another when they start buying books. How many do you need on one aircraft. For example, the P-51 Mustang in use during World War II. There are about 180 different books on this aircraft alone, not counting the use of this aircraft after the war, air racing, the Korean, and other wars, National Guard, foreign, etc.
What is one to do. As a book collector on W.W.II aviation, I have them all. For the non-book
collector I suggest buying the books to fit your needs. Model building. Historical. Technical.
Colors and markings. Aces. Units. Bios'. And so on. This should help to narrow the choices.
And remember, you can always contact me here at Bobe's for any advice. (850)433-2187.
Also at www.bobeshobbyhouse.com or bobeshobby@aol.com

Warbird Profiles.

Here was the start of a potentially great series of military aircraft books from Aries Publications
out of Canada back in the late 1990's. They came out with two titles, A-26 B/C Invader, and TBF/TBM Avenger, both written by Francis Gallemi. These 8 1/2 x 11, horizontal format books were of the walk-around style and 40 pages, soft cover. Color photos of restored aircraft in different museums around the country, along with some nice b/w drawings, showing a lot of detail both inside and outside of the aircraft. Good information for both the model builder and the historian to enjoy. I heard a rumor that someone here in the US is trying to come out with some new titles. I do hope so as I did enjoy these books.

USN helicopter books.

Here is another nice series of books from Landing Zone Publications out of France. They now have three titles, Seahawk, Super Stallion / Sea Dragon, and Sea Knight. These 8 1/2 x 11, soft cover books have 40 pages of good color photos of these helos' in operation. With about 185 photos per book showing interior and exterior, walk-around, shots of US usage. The dual text is in both French and English, and is limited to photo captions. No history lesson here, just some good all-around, color, photos. The model builders will want these. It has been several years with no new titles. I do hope they have a new one, or more, coming soon.

USS Midway book.

Here is a new series from the people at Classic Warships, CW Publishing, called Aircraft Pictorial.
This stands to reason as since they already do ship books, why not do aircraft books that were on ships, ie. USS Midway. The first title is "USS Midway Air Wings" and is in an 8 1/2 x 11 horizontal format, soft cover with 72 pages, color covers and 87 b&w photos showing different aircraft from late 1945 to the late 1980's. Most of the photos are full page and well reproduced.
It also covers the Commanders, the Squadrons, and the aircraft used. I think this will be a most welcome series of books and look forward to the next title.

Modeler's Eye aviation books.

Here is a special series from the people at Aero Detail that had four issues published. They were on the Fw190D, Bf109G-6, F/A-18, and Gekko Type 11. These were 8x10, soft covers with around 95 pages and many photos, color profiles, and line drawings. Text in Japanese but with English sub-titles. They have not had a new title in six years. I do hope they try again.

This review is on the Fw190D, number 4 in the series. For anyone wanting to model, or just learn some history on this aircraft, you must get this book. Included is a list of different kits available. A walk-around of the aircraft at the USAF & Champlin Museums showing much interior & exterior detail. Twelve pages of color profiles. Ten pages of vintage black & white photos. Sixteen pages of scale drawings. What more could you ask for.