SPAD VII vs Albatros D III: 191718
(Paperback)
Publishing Details
SPAD VII vs Albatros D III: 191718
By (Author) Jon Guttman
Illustrated by Jim Laurier
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Osprey Publishing
20th April 2011
United Kingdom
Classifications
General
Non Fiction
Military vehicles
Air forces and warfare
European history
940.44943
Physical Properties
Paperback
80
Width 184mm, Height 248mm, Spine 8mm
261g
Description
When originally conceived, the French SPAD VII and German Albatros D II represented steps away from an emphasis on manoeuvre in aerial combat in favour of speed and durability. At the end of 1916, however, Albatros tried to have the best of both worlds. The result combined the better downward view and manoeuvrability of the Nieuport with the power and twin machine guns of the Albatros D II. At the same time, the French worked to improve the SPAD VII with more power and a more reliable cooling system before moving on to the twin-gunned SPAD XIII. While all that was going on, the Albatros D III became a mainstay of the German and Austro-Hungarian air services in frequent encounters with SPAD VIIs flown by French, Belgian, British, Italian and American airmen.
Reviews
"As with all Duel volumes, this one features helpful maps, rare photos and superb artwork. Five Stars." --Barrett Tillman, The Aerodrome
"Authoritatively researched, documented, and presented... Students of Albatrosen or SPADs in particular, and WWI air combat in general should be thrilled by this book." --Frederick Boucher, AeroScale
"...this 80-page work contains all that most readers would ever want to know about comparing these two fabled fighters." --Peter Kilduff, Between the Bookends
Author Bio
A resident of Leesburg, Virginia, Jon Guttman is currently research editor for Weider History Publications. Specialising in World War I aviation, he has written numerous titles for Osprey including the popular Balloon-Busting Aces of World War I in the Aircraft of the Aces series. Jim Laurier is a native of New England and lives in New Hampshire. He attended Paier School of Art in Hamden, Connecticut, from 197478, and since graduating with Honours, he has been working professionally in the field of Fine Art and Illustration. He has been commissioned to paint for the US Air Force and has aviation paintings on permanent display at the Pentagon.
