FLYING COLORS. FEATURING OVER 1300 MILITARY AIRCRAFT MARKINGS AND COLOR SCHEMES. de Green, William and Swanborough, Gordon, compilers - 1997

London: Salamander, 1997. 207 pp, 4to (12" H). Profusely illustrated in colour. "Military aircraft have been variously daubed, cunningly camouflaged, boastfully personalized or otherwise extravagantly colored since they first took to the air more than 80 years ago. From the time that the identity of aircraft was established with national insignia, the markings of aircraft has become a science, and their decoration an art form. At times of tension, trends have been toward camouflage colors for concealment as international relationships deteriorated. Yet, in peace and war, there have also been 'anti-camouflage' color schemes applied specifically to render aircraft more conspicuous for training, rescue and other purposes. 'Flying Colors' is a superb survey of this fascinating scene, depicting more than 100 different aircraft types, from the World War I Spads to the modern swing-wing Tornado, in more than 1300 spectacular illustrations. Splendid use is made of finely detailed profile drawings, top and bottom, head-on and 'scrap' views, together with emblem and other detail enlargements, all in full-color and each extensively researched by the compilers and artists who have striven for accuracy and interest. Each first-class drawing is described, with identification of squadron, unit, theater and period, and often even the pilot's name and rank too! Recognized as a major landmark in aviation publishing, this volume will especially delight aircraft modelmakers and all enthusiasts of the dramatic history of warplanes." Book is Fine. Dust jacket has minor edge wear/wrinkling, minor browning at some edges.. Hard Cover. Fine/Very Good+. Illus. by John Weal, Richard Caruana and Brian Knight..