Fokker D VII Aces of World War 1: (part 2)

Description

Volume 53 in this series covered Fokker D VII aces from the four elite Jagdgeschwadern of the German army, and this follow-on volume charts the story of the many aces who flew the famed fighter in other units committed to combat in the final months of World War 1. D VII operations covered the entire Western Front, from the North Sea to the Swiss border. In the latter half of 1918 the Fokker was not only the mainstay of the army Jagdstaffeln, but also the most potent fighter flown by home defence Kests and the pilots of the German navy in Flanders. The D VII easily proved the equal of the many British, French, Belgian and American aircraft it met in combat, and served in such roles as day bomber interceptor, 'balloon buster' and nightfighter. Though handicapped by a lack of fuel and other supplies as the German war machine fell apart, aces such as Sachsenberg, Degelow and Rumey utilised the D VII to rack up impressive scores against consistently superior odds.

Norman Franks is one of the world's leading authorities on World War 1 fighter aviation, having published some of the seminal works on the subject. He is currently working on a long list of volumes on Great War aces for Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces series. Greg VanWyngarden has had a lifelong interest in World War 1 aviation, and has been particularly active in deciphering the colours and markings that decorated the various German fighters flown by the leading aces. This is his third book for Osprey, having co-authored Aircraft of the Aces 40: 'Fokker Dr I Aces of World War 1' (2001) and Aircraft of the Aces 53: 'Fokker D Aces of World War 1: Pt 1' (2002) with Norman Franks. Berkshire-based Harry Dempsey is a talented profile artist who specialises in fighter aircraft of World War 1. He has illustrated all of Osprey's World War 1 Aircraft of the Aces titles to date.

"This is the first time I have read examples of these books... If these books are representative, it must be a truly formidable series... Although both books complement each other, they both can stand alone as useful works describing this outstanding aircraft of World War I." --Mike Wollan, Aerodrome, also on Sopwith Triplane Aces of World War I "I'll just start right off and say that both of these books should be on your World War I reading list... [Both] of these books have extensive color plates and descriptions of each of the markings. Also, there are many photos of the pilots and their airplanes, including some interesting cockpit shots of the crude instruments they used." --Rob Auer, Aerodrome, also on Sopwith Triplane Aces of World War I