Vampire et Mistral Français Volume 1

 

Author/Artists:

Sébastien Guillemin, Claude Petit, Patrick Vinot Préfontaine

Publisher

Edition Lela Presse

Price

59.00 Euros + p/p from  Lela presse

Reviewer:

Jean-Paul Poisseroux

Notes:

380 pages, softcover, 8.2 x 11.6 inches french language
ISBN: 978-2-37468-026-2. Aircraft profile collection #34

After the second war, the countries of the new alliance had to rearm their forces. On aviation side, the pistons and the propellers were of another age for the fighter planes. Very quickly the French government turns to England. Other countries will do the same thing and the De Havilland Vampire (DH 100) landed in many countries. in France, 140 aircrafts are delivered and 187 aircrafts are built in France. The Vampire's name was changed, now it's "the Mistral". 247 new models left from the workshops....the new jet’s age began from this « little jet ».This important and interesting story was not covered for the public readers. A special edition was printed in b/w format in 1980 from an associated club called « Le Trait-d’Union », a french branch from Air-Britain. (the book is out of stock).A french magasine called « le fanatique de l’aviation » printed the story from march to october 1980 (issues 124-131).The subject is reborn.The first reference is the basement; it has been reworked and up dated.Now,this is the chapters you’ll find and read :

Chapter 1 titled Historical,84 pages with 121 b/w and 27 color pictures.all types and countries are displayed (33 differents countried used this important aircraft).the last 64 pages deals with the french area ; the 2 differents types aircrafts ; the speed records,meetings,races,acrobatics teams,operationnal systems.

Chapter 2 : titled Tecchnical aircraft, 28 pages with 40 b/w and 5 color pictures. the general zones are displayed ; 3 differents cockpits, wheels,wings,ejection seat(type Mistral),panels access numbers,armaments,engines.Clevery, some useful technicals maintenance drawings from the manufacturor are very precious for the modellers. The 1/72 scale aircraft drawings complete very well this study section.

Chapter3 titled Vampire and Mistral units, 197 pages 431 b/w and 24 color pictures printed.This part,that’s the reason being of the book.33 color profils (1/36 scale) have been added.you’ll discover the dailies’s routines from 5 squadrons :squadron2 (Cigognes-Alsace-Côte d’or-coq hardi) squadron3 (Navarre-Champagne) squadron4 (Dauphiné-La Fayette-Flandres-Ardennes) squadron5 (Vendée-Ile de France-Comtat Venaissin).

Chapter 4 titled appendices, 40 pages 29 b/w and 13 color pictures. Some differents options used are displayed , the jet deviator, ski gears, turbo engine…Very usefull, the pilot’s outfit (in color) is displayed.At the end, 39 pages are used for the historic’s tables for each aircrafts who flown in France.

Summary, this « bible » is well welcome. Clear, precise , very documented.

As written, this is the first volume for this giant monograph.you’ll analys and display the volume2 when it’ll be printed.

This is another excellent addition to a line series and one that I strongest recommend to both the historian and modeler alike.

June 2020

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