World War I Aeroplanes, Inc.

Skyways, Journal of the Airplane 1920-1940 Issue #86 Apr. 2008

Issue Number: 86

Reviewed by  Dick Montgomery, IPMS# 14003

MSRP: $42.00 per year www.worldwar1aeroplanesinc.org SKYWAYS bills itself as "The Journal of the Airplane-1920-1940" and it is always well written, well edited, and very interesting. The specific item reviewed here is the April, 2008 issue, No. 86. The publication is a softbound magazine, with slick, glossy pages, and is printed in an 8-1/2 x 11 inch format. All of the photographs, not surprisingly, are black and white, but are extremely interesting and offer detailed views of the subjects under discussion. The cover story is a very well written essay on the early days of the US Air Mail service and the men and aircraft that populated the times. This story highlights the aircraft used in the early days of flying the mail and covers the trials and tribulations, as well as the political aspects of these first efforts. I found this story very interesting because I had just finished building a 1/48th DH-4, and this story features great photographs of that aircraft. The second story is entitled, "The Fokker D.VII in U.S. Service." This story traces the history of the D.VIIs that were brought to the U.S. after WWI. The story includes several quotes from official statements made by U.S. airmen after having flown the D.VII, and it is clear that they held the aircraft in high regard. This very well written piece has particular significance for me. Stated in the story is the fact that the only remaining D.VII in the U.S. is currently on display in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. This is aircraft # 4635/18. It turns out that when this aircraft was being restored by the Silver Hills folks pieces of the fabric were sold as a fundraiser for the restoration. I happen to be one of the lucky owners of a piece of fabric from this aircraft. An aircraft I've seldom seen featured in print is the Gregor FDB-1. This biplane features an upper wing with a gull configuration and a huge canopy that had to give the pilot an astounding view of his surroundings. This story contains 3 sets of beautifully rendered drawings, one of which is a set of detailed drawings showing the landing gear. This is a wonderful bit of detail for the scratch builders among us. For the "airliner" enthusiasts, the DC-4E by Douglas is featured. This aircraft has a tail with 3 vertical stabilizers similar to a Super-Connie. Photographs reveal a comfortable and cozy interior, complete with sleeping compartments for the paying passengers. This article includes a cutaway drawing of the aircraft with the seat arrangement presented in a small profile drawing, as well as a 3 view drawing. Shorter, but no less interesting, articles include coverage of the Fairchild Model 91 Amphibian, Paul Rempp and the models made by this talented craftsman, and Part 3 of an article covering Pan American's Flying Boat Bases, this part covering the Atlantic Island and European Ports. For the scratch builders and the detail-oriented among us, the magazine finishes up with an article featuring the cockpit of a Navy Bellanca XSOE-1 Scout-Observation Floatplane. In a previous review of another Skyways magazine I said that the annual subscription fee of $42 may seem a bit steep, but the images and articles in the magazine are top flight. Remember, you generally get what you pay for and this magazine is an exceptionally well produced publication.

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