Is it okay putting this here? I know there's a separate section for books, but this little reading list is directly relevant to the project, and I've just finished reading The Spider Web, which I would heartily recommend to anyone modelling Felixstowes/America boats. It's about the activities of the War Flight at Felixstowe April 1917 - April 1918, which Hallam was in charge of. It's full of eye opening stories and one ends up in awe at the bravery of the men who went out on patrol over the North Sea, and also at the genius (I use the word avisedly) of those who developed these amazing machines. Amongst other things there are tales of survival and in-flight repairs which have all the tension of a Hollywood action film, and vivid descriptions of the harsh seas and weather they confronted.
A couple of small points. John Porte, the principal man of genius, barely features in the book, I suppose because Hallam's mission was to tell the stories of operations. But it's odd because by his own account he even flew the extraordinary Felixstowe Fury at least once, and so he must have had something to do with Porte. I'd have loved to hear more! But he does include two fascinating pictures of the 'Super Baby'. Another point to note is that Hallam moved on just at the point of the demise of the RNAS, and so the stories of the great aerial battles later on in 1918 remain untold.
I expect to enjoy the other memoir equally, To the Ends of the Air by Gerry Livock; although his time in Felixstowes only occupies one chapter. He was based at Yarmouth. He was the guy who first applied dazzle painting to the boats, which then became general practice. His boat is one of the schemes available with the WNW Felixstowe Early kit.
As for the other books, as well as the WNW manual, I've made a lot of reference to Colin Owers' Fighting America books. Many will be familiar with the Aeronaut publications, and maybe demur about value for money. I can only say that I'm very glad to have them, they're full of pictures and information I haven't seen elsewhere. But I'm hugely fascinated by these planes, and I love history anyway - I couldn't imagine making a model of anything and not wanting to know its story and its people. These two volumes helped me a lot with this current project, especially with details about the H.16.