A great old book I refound......

[Allan31]

So I saved up my allowance in 1966 and purchased this book on WW1 aviation. I was 10.



Written and illustrated by Joe Phelan, it has wonderful watercolors of our favorite fighters. Years later someone asked to barrow it and of course I never got it back. I still remember the SOB that has my book. I discovered it's been reprinted with a different cover in 1973 and available on evilbay.



I'm sure that Phelans illustrations and all the wonderful box top illustrations are what lead me to become a commercial illustrator.






Just thought I'd share, just good fun to flip through while sipping.

[gedmundson]

What a very interesting story - thanks for sharing that. Inspiration at that age (I turned 10 in 1966!) can set some very strong ambition.
Cheers,
Gary

[Allan31]

So Gary, we are the same age. I don't have to tell you, these golden years are not golden.
Funny thing in this book, MvR is barely mentioned. A good two page spread on Voss, nuttin on MvR.
But wonderful watercolor illustrations. Buy this book just to look at for fun.

[Bluesfan]

Lovely book, it inspired me at a similar age, it was where my fascination with biplanes began.

Funny thing is, even though I've never lent it to anyone, I still couldn't help glancing up at my bookshelf to check - yes, it's still there!   

Mark