Characteristics:

A-4 format, hard cover, 368 pages, 47pictures in color, 482 in b/w, drawings ( in 1/72 scale), 33 drawings from technical manual, 8 color profiles, 3 3D cutaways,. French text.

At the end of Second World War, the French navy squadrons were equipped with propeller fighters (mostly Seafires), while the jet area had started to live with the Germans, English, and Americans aircrafts. The swan song was obvious and the military authorities edited programs for a modern renewal of the air forces. Despite the trials of four homemade aircrafts, none got satisfaction. The solution for temporally equipment was to look outside, and the test of the sea vampire in late 1946 in Britain attracted attention. Finally it led to the order of 96 Sea Venom for the French navy first line ranks.

Here is the story of the first jet carried fighter of the after war, written by a former Chance Vought F-8[FN]Crusader rider.

Covered with a front eye catching painting, the big volume is divided in seven parts, twenty chapters and five appendix.

1^st part :  the Aquilon rise (the challengers, the aquilon emerge, on board trials, in service)

2^nd part :  In formation (Flotilles 11.F,16F, 2.S, 10.S, 54.S, 59.S, CUERS, CLEMENCEAU)

3^rd part :  Operation in North Africa (Bizerte and Algerian war)

4^th part :  Armament (weapons, targets)

5^th part : Technical (specifics tech, equipment, novelties acquired with the Aquilon).

6^th part : Appendix (night fly courses in USA, HMS Ark Royal, individual carreers)

7^th part : Portfolio (color pictures and profiles).

The mass of pictures, tech details is impressive, with very good b/w overall situation and close up shots. Aside the aircraft, we discover in chapter 3, some vertical shots of the main Air Bases in Africa, as some other airplanes involved in this unpleasant “war” (never seen before). The large inside details with drawings help to understand the lay out of this side by side seats aircraft, and the life on board of the French Clemenceau carrier is very interesting. Weapons and folding wings system which are often forgotten in books, have a great section on them. The very fine drawings, added to the exceptional 47 color pictures and 8 profiles closed this really beautiful research on a beautiful bird design by De Havilland. As a lot of parts are common with the British Sea Venom, this volume will certainly catch attention of the Royal Navy fellows. Recommended also for modellers who have boxes from Toko, Frog ,Premiere in 1/72 scale, Aeroclub in 1/48 scale, and Matchbox in 1/32 scale

December 2005

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