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Albatros Productions Ltd. |
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The SIA 7B Windsock Datafile #105 by Gregory Alegi |
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Reviewed By Howie Belkin, #16 |
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MSRP: $15.00 USD Softcover 8 ¼” x 11 ¾”, 36 pages, 3 color profiles and cover color painting, over 78 rare b/w photos and detailed 1/72 and 1/48 scale plans. This comprehensive Windsock Datafile monograph chronicles the short, turbulent history of the WWI SIA 7b Italian two seat trainer, reconnaissance and bombing aircraft, “the first original design of (SIA) the FIAT aircraft branch.” The SIA 7b was an unsuccessful collaboration between the military and the private sector, which ended with acrimonious inquiries, grounded aircraft and aircraft ground into the ground. It served with the U.S. Air Service as well as the Italian A.F., it had a wingspan equal to our JN4 Jennys and looked a little like the very successful, smaller Ansaldo SVA fighter (which ultimately also took on training, recce and bombing roles). For those who like to wonder “what if,” there’s an interesting footnote to history in that Captain Fiorello La Guardia was deputy commander of the U.S.A.S. instruction center in Foggia, Italy. Had the U.S. delayed its decision to ground the SIA 7s, La Guardia may have become one of its casualties and NYC would have been deprived of one of its most memorable mayors – and had to rename its second largest airport! The rare black and white photos are sharp as the day they were shot, and include details of the FIAT A.12 six in-line cylinder and A.15 V-12 engines used. Excellent color artwork includes three SIA 7bs in Italian markings (one was captured and flown by the Austro-Hungarians) and one U.S.A.S. Extraordinary original research and detail has gone into this recommended monograph of one of the lesser known aircraft used in WWI, and one that preceeded decades of successful FIAT aircraft. Available for about $15 from Albatros Productions Ltd., 10 Long View, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 1BY. Tel: (UK) 01442 875838. Fax: (UK) 01442 876018 website www.windsockdatafilespecials.com. Many thanks to Albatros Productions for the review copy. |
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