Crashes & Prangs, Aircraft that have Suffered Mishap through Fair Means or Foul

In these days of sleek super-metals and indestructible polymers the realisation that the earliest fliers left Terra Firma in fragile constructs often made of wood and fabric seems unbelievable. A sudden gust or down draft could spell disaster and errant birds (then as now) were hazards to be avoided at all costs. None of this however seemed to have dampened the enthusiasm of these aviation pioneers and this wonderful collection is a tribute to their zeal and determination against all odds. Quotes such as “Dear Mum: I am getting the hang of this flying business and I have already mastered taking-off. My instructor says that all I have to do is to practice my landings a bit and then I'll be a real pilot!” juxtaposed against of one of the many photographs featuring an inverted aircraft is an typical of the wry humour present throughout the book.

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