Flight Fantastic: The Illustrated History of Aerobatics

by Annette Carson

Traces the history of acrobatic flying, gives profiles of top pilots from around the world, and discusses individual craft and maneuvers

320 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1987

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly impressive book detailing the history of aerobatic flight and its many pilot personalities from the pre World War 1 period up until the middle 1980s when this book was written. The level of detailed information of what is mostly a science/sport/hobby that would be largely obscure to the average person on the street is really incredible and a remarkable achievement of research by the author.
It also has to be remembered that at the time of writing the Soviet Union was still very much in existence and obtaining detailed facts and figures about pilots, teams and their individual histories from both Russia and the Warsaw Pact nations must have been quite a challenge at times.
Aside from aerobatic pilots and aficionados of aerobatics the book will be of interest to modellers and also those with an interest in military aviation during the two World Wars as there is naturally an overlap in aerobatics and some tactical military applications of it.
Although no longer in print and not detailing the advances in Aerobatics post circa 1985 this book is well worth seeking out and a credit to the author.