The book's subtitle, A Photo Study of Aerial Ordinance in the Great War, accurately describes its content. The books 8 1/2” by 11 ¼” page size allows for large, clear, period photographs illustrating the primary aerial weapons used by the major combatants in the First World War. Although many of the photos have been previously published, most have not. The book's large format allows many full or half page photos that reveal crisp detail. In addition to illustrating the various guns, bombs, rockets, and grenades, the photos also provides details on how they were mounted on the host aircraft.

The book is divided into nine sections:

Introduction, Detail Study of Major Machine Guns, Gunnery Training, Forward Firing Machine Guns (Allied), Forward Firing Machine Guns (Central Powers), Observer's Guns (Allied), Observer's Guns (Central Powers), Bombs and Grenades, and Cannons and Recoilless Guns

My only criticism of the book is due to several of the photo captions misidentifying the aircraft types pictured. Granted the book is about the weapons carried and not about the weapons carriers, but the photos in question are large and the aircraft featured have very clear identifying features in view.

Minor carping aside, Aircraft Weapons of World War One is an impressive undertaking and excellent value for the money. Highly recommended to World War One aircraft modelers and anyone with an interest in aerial weaponry..

Robert Hart

August 2023