6 June 1944 at dawn, the Allied create the surprise in Normandy, the beginning of the end for the Germans. 13 June 1944, the Germans also create a surprise, with a long range unmanned weapon, exploding near Gravesend at 4.13 A.M. 22574 other unpleasant terror weapons will follow it until march 1945. If the air raid from the allied side were terrible, but visible thanks to the engines strakes, this cold death coming from anywhere, put troubles in the civilian and military authorities. Finally, too late to counter the D-Day preparations, and failing to help the declining Luftwaffe, the “last chance, last hope” missile start the new area in the warfare.

  This death object is neither an AFV, nor an airplane, and it’s certainly the reason why studies are rather poor on the subject. Of course some books exist, but you’ll find most of the same pictures in them. This new one is written by a French author, specialised on military research in the North of France. If you remember that the V1 sites were mostly dispatched on the north coast, you’ll understand why this book can be qualifying as “exceptional”. You’ll learn not only about the weapon itself, but all the logistic aside. A kind of “then and now” tribute. About the weapon you’ll have 36 wartime drawings, but the piece of cake include approx 65 sharp scaled drawings of almost everything around. You’ll discover the different launching ramps, the shelters, the different houses for the crews, the stock area, the buildings, the warehouse, the depot, the bunkers, the railways system, sequence on assembly, checking, handling, and much more with cross sections which will allow modellers to replicate a complete launching site (if space is not a problem!). Aside this gorgeous materials, actual pictures of the remains sites in the Nord- Pas –de- Calais, Normandy, and Somme are displayed and it’s amazing to see the well preservation status on some of them. In this way, it’s a good field guide to people interesting in the matter. A well preserved machine in color is a good support for technical data, as wartime b/w pictures from the both sides with propaganda and crews for the German chapter. On Allied side, aerial site pictures and unexploded missile view complete the study. 10 geographical maps give good information on the V1 net, and an impressive listing  review 610 bases with a mass of characteristics on sites. This is the more complete study on the subject, and for a long time. EXCELLENT job! JP

  July 2006

 For more on the complete line of Lela Presse books, visit

 http://www.avionsbateaux.com/

haracteristics:

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

 Available at: http://www.avionsbateaux.com/

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