World Aircraft: Origins - World War I.

Chicago, Illinois: Rand McNally & Company, 1979. First American Edition [stated], Presumed First printing thus. Trade paperback. Very good. Vincenzo Cosentino (color illustrations) and Claud. 320 pages. This is one of the Rand McNally Color Illustrated Guides. Includes Introduction; Summary of Aviation History from the Origins to 1918; Index, and Bibliography. Topics covered include From da Vinci to the Wright Brothers; From the Wright Brothers to World War 1; Minor Types 1908-1914; Flying Records 1906-1914; The Development of Aviation 1914-1918; The Race for Aerial Supremacy 1914-18; France; France--Minor Types; Great Britain; Great Britain--Minor Types; Russia; Italy; Italy--Minor Types; United States of America; United States of America--Minor Types; Germany; Germany--Minor Types; Austria-Hungary; Engines; Summary of Aviation History from the Origins--1918; Index; and Bibliography. This book presents the history of aviation up to the end of World War 1. All the important early aeroplanes are examined in this book which contains a representative selection of civil and military aircraft. Some are present because they have become landmarks of aviation history or exhibit a particular technical development, others because of the immortal feats they performed. Each machine is carefully described and is supported by detailed illustrations, consisting of a three-dimensional color drawing to show the markings and bring out any salient design and structural features, while two or three line diagram views give an idea of the dimensions, and comparative proportions of each airplane. Paolo Matricardi is an aviation journalist who works in Rome. He has written many books on aviation that have been translated into other languages. He has collaborated often with Enzo Angelucci.