A Portrait of Military Aviation in South Africa

Military aircraft from all over the world, bearing the insignia of many services, have been seen in South Africa since 1917 (when the first military long-distance flight was made in a Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2E) to the present, with Dassault Mirage F1s flashing through our skies daily. World War II was a particularly rich period, and it was precisely then that the artist's interest in aircraft became a life-long passion.
In this magnificent publication that passion comes to fruition. With an entertaining yet authoritative text and some 150 meticulously detailed paintings depicting close on 100 different aircraft types, the artist has created a unique gallery which includes such pre-war types as the Hawker Hartbees and Westland Wapiti, unusual types such as the CAMS 372 and Yokosuka E14Y 'Glen' seaplanes, the Blackburn Roc and Grumman Avenger as well as interesting post-war types such as the Dornier Do-27, Breguet Aliz6 and Lockheed Orion, quite apart from the aircraft presently serving with the South African Air Force.
To increase interest in the aircraft, they are portrayed in actual settings or while taking part in historically grounded events, many of them witnessed by the author himself. The artist has, however, been careful to avoid the histrionics of aerial combat. Furthermore great pains have been taken to depict the aircraft in authentic liveries, which makes the book of great interest to aircraft modellers and restorers alike, especially as many non-standard finishes are recorded, probably for the first time.
A Portrait of Military Aviation in South Africa can justifiably be described as a milestone, and is a book that will be treasured for many years to come by aircraft enthusiasts everywhere, and also by anyone with even a passing interest in aviation matters.


by Ron Belling
Published by Midland Counties Publishing 1989 1st edition. 160pp bibliography. 28x25 fine, including d/j.






Note:
"Long" descriptions, where shown, may have been taken from the book's dust jacket notes, and as such are relevant to the date of publication (e.g. any references to "new edition" "previously unpublished photographs" etc.) and not the present.