Albatros Productions Ltd.

Windsock Datafile No. 125 Curtiss H.12

by  Colin A. Owers

Reviewed By  Brian R. Baker, IPMS# 43146

MSRP: £10.75 ($21.80) ISBN: 1-902207-94.7 Paperback, 38 Pages, including covers. 86 photos, 4 color drawings, 8 pages of 1/72 and 1/48 line drawings, plus specifications, production listing, and bibliography. Albatros Productions, 10 Long View, Chiltern Park Estate, Birkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4, England. Website: www.windsockdatafilespecials.co.uk The Book This is the latest in a series of excellently produced publications on early aircraft of the World War I period. The series presents a developmental history, operational history, detailed three view drawings, and many previously unpublished photographs of the Curtiss "H" series flying boats used mainly by the British during World War I. The "H" series of multi-engine flying boats began with a 1914 Curtiss attempt to build a long range contender for the BP 10,000 prize for the first airplane to cross the Atlantic. Curtiss produced the "America" during 1914, but the outbreak of war in Europe prevented the crossing attempt. Two prototypes were initially purchased by the British, and later more examples were ordered, resulting in the development of several variants, differing in size and power plants. Most of these were used for coastal patrol and anti-submarine work, although a number operated successfully against German zeppelins. Some were powered by two or three OX-5's, but later models had more powerful engines . The aircraft went through a number of design changes, including redesigned hulls and strengthened fuselages for rough sea operation. Few records exist on some of the variants, and it is sometimes difficult to identify specific aircraft, especially since some of them were rebuilt several times during their operational careers. In addition, the aircraft was used as the basis for the Felixstowe F.2A series. The author does an excellent job of piecing together the scanty information on these aircraft to give the reader insight into the development and use of these planes. Curtiss H Series flying boats were operated by the Royal Navy during the latter stages of the war, scoring successes against zeppelins, but not doing too well against the German floatplanes that became active over the Channel and North Sea during the closing stages of the war. The U.S. Navy also used these aircraft, although most were used only for training, and they were quietly discarded soon after the cessation of hostilities in November, 1918. Recommendation This book is a gold mine of information on the Curtiss Flying Boats, and anyone with any interest in aircraft of this era should certainly have it on his or her bookshelf. With Roden now producing kits of the Curtiss H.16 and the Felixstowe F.2A, this book becomes much more useful in providing detailed information necessary for building accurate models of these aircraft. The drawings and photos of the interiors alone are well worth the price of the book, and this should be the definitive work on this aircraft. Don't miss out on this one. Thanks to Albatros Productions Ltd. and IPMS/USA for the review copy.

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