Midland Publishing

Air France

by  Geoff Jones

Reviewed By  Phil Peterson, IPMS# 8739

MSRP: $36.95 ISBN 10: 1857802853 ISBN 13: 9781857802856 8 x 10", 160 pages, 250 b/w and color photos, Hardcover Review Sample from Specialty Press: www.specialtypress.com 2008 marked the 75th anniversary of Air France, a National Flag Carrier. This book covers its history with enough information for the aviation historian and pictures for the airline modeler. The chapters cover each decade starting with the many fledgling passenger services that started in France in the 1920s. Several of these combined to form Air France in the 1930s. The chapters continue through the 90s before a chapter on the other Associate Airlines that make up Air France. The final chapter is on the 2000s and includes the takeover of KLM in 2004 that made the combined company the largest airline in terms of operating revenue and, based on passenger mileage, the largest in Europe. For the modeler, there are 250 photographs of aircraft, advertisements, and air crew fashion (by some of the greatest French Fashion Designers). The pictures are mainly black and white up until the 50s (of course). Lots of the pictures offer great diorama ideas. The high point for me was the section on the Concorde. I didn't realize its first commercial flights were in November of 1977 when an Air France Concorde and a British Airways Concorde arrived simultaneously at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. This book does what a good book should, piqued my interest. I would now love to read some history of some of the other Main Carriers. If you have any interest in airliners give this one a read on your next flight. The book may be ordered by calling 1-800-895-4585 or by visiting www.specialtypress.com. A $6.95 shipping and handling fee is added to each order. When you order tell them you read about from IPMS/USA.

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