PRACTICAL FLYING Major W. G. McMinnies& Captain E. L. Ford TEMPLE PRESS LTD, London, 1918 Practical Flying is probably the best First World War flying manual. Written and illustrated by experienced R.A.F. officers, it was first produced early in 1918 for the use of trainee R.F.C. and R.N.A.S. pilots. With its very rare original dust jacket, featuring an illustration of a Sopwith biplane inverted at the top of a loop. This is the second edition, produced just after the establishment of the RAF in April 1918. Superbly illustrated with numerous diagrams and line drawings, this book is a fascinating insight into the practicalities of military flying during WW1. Covering everything from how to spin the prop, and how to perform 'stunts' like an Immelman turn or a 'falling-leaf' descent, to aerial fighting and the action to take after the inevitable crash that all WW1 flyers experienced at some time or other. This book tells you virtually everything you would need to know to fly a world war one aircraft. It also includes a number of very interesting advertisments for aircraft manufacturers and flying equipment suppliers. Condition: In very good condition. The boards are in very good condition, with minor signs of wear and use and a few marks. The binding and hinges are good and secure. The text is in very good condition with a few minor marks and some slight age toning to the paper. There are some marks to the front endpapers. The illustrations are in very good condition. The dust jacket is in fair to good condition, with some old tape repairs to the reverse, and wear to the spine, edges, and corners. There are some marks, creases and old tape repairs to the rear panel.Published: 1918 Illustrated with line drawings and diagramsCream boards with black titling, with original dust jacketDimensions: 130mm x 190mmPages: 237 (plus aviation adverts)
