Book Query

mrhenniger · **Posted:** Thu Nov 04, 2004 6:59 pm

What is the title and the name of the author of the book that lists the aircraft of various aviation museums in Europe? I believe it is long out of print, and is known to have errors, but is generally regarded as the most complete compilation of museum airframe ID info.

Regards,

Mike

DaveM2 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 04, 2004 7:05 pm

Mike

You might be thinking of Les Hunts' great book(s), 'Veteran & Vintage Aircraft' [ last edition 1974 ] . But it coveres worldwide not just Europe...worth finding for the photos alone though :!:

Dave

Mike · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:54 am **Posts:** 3331

Bob Ogden's 'Aircraft Museums & Collections of the World' series are the books that you need - worth their weight in gold!

There are 11 volumes in total, 4 on Europe, a similar number on the US, one on Canada & Latin America, a volume on Australasia & Africa, and one on Asia.

Many are still in print, the rest will be available via Abebooks or similar.

Excellent books (although some are a few years old now, several are in their second, updated editions), listing each museum, with all airframes & identities, giving museum location, contact details and opening hours, plus some photos.

The only downside is the lack of maps

They've helped me to find museums all over the world! Highly recommended.

Hope this helps.

Oh, and Les Hunt's book is excellent, but more of an historical research tool these days, as the newest edition is now over 30 years old.

paulmcmillan · **Posted:** Fri Nov 05, 2004 4:27 am

There are a couple of wrecks and relics books

The UK is coveed off quiet well with Ken Ellis books (out every 2 years) by Midland Counties, the latest Edition 19? was released early this year. Covers whole of UK, Northern Ireland, Ireland and any british terrority!

The Aviation Hobby Shop do a 'European wrecks and relics' as well, It is not its 3rd Edition (the first 2 were done by Midland Counties) not as detailed as the UK one.. As an illustration.. Same number of pages for about 5 * number of countries!:

IIRC The Dutch have there own Wrecks And Relics.. Cees will confirm

Cees Broere · **Posted:** Fri Nov 05, 2004 5:22 am

www.scramble.nl

Consider it confirmed. :wink:

Cheers

Cees

Mike · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:54 am **Posts:** 3331

Any more info, Cees? I couldn't find a Dutch W&R book under the 'Shop' section of the Scramble website.

JDK · **Posted:** Fri Nov 05, 2004 7:25 am

Just a followup.

I can't reccomend Bob Ogden's books enough. I regard them as essential packing, just after 'camera' in the list.

The other weakness is that they aren't very web friendly, I suspect because of Bob having been in the game a long time, and not keen on 'newfangled' - so no e-mails or web addresses for museums. Otherwise unbeatable though.

Cheers!

TonyA · **Posted:** Sat Nov 06, 2004 4:33 am

Bob Ogden also wrote a single volume covering 'European Aviation Museums and Collections' in the '80s although the informatino in this will undoubtedly have been improved and supplmented by his later series 'Aircraft Museums and Collections of the World'. Covering Europe these are:

2: Great Britain and Ireland 1-873854-15-3 (ed3)
3: Benelux, Germany and the Nordic Countries 1-873854-129 (ed2)
4: Austria, France, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland 1-873854-16-1 (ed2)
9: Eastern and South Eastern Eurpoe and the CIS 1-873854-080

I would certainly agree with earlier comments about maps - from experience detailed driving directions would be a big help too. I think the observation about no web info is rather unfair. Most of the volumes are actually quite old and predate the widespread internet. The latest UK edition (published in 1999) does include e-mail in its descriptions

JDK · **Posted:** Sat Nov 06, 2004 8:30 am

Hi Tony,
Fair comment! Perhaps it might be better to say that if you expect websites to be listed, you'll be disapointed - but it's a good correction to add that Bob's books predate many museum's websites being created.

IMHO there's nothing to touch them, and Bob is to be highly congratulated in keeping producing new editions - a thankless and endless task.

As regards the maps, it would be very nice, but another challange - and adding maps does 9normally) cost. Having just been to Quatros Ventos (Madrid) this weekend, I was pleased but surprised to discouver there's a metro stop 10 min walk from the museum - that line was built, i understand, since my last visit, and after the Spain book was published. You can't win!

Cheers

mrhenniger · **Posted:** Sat Nov 06, 2004 8:47 am

Thanks for the tips everyone!

Mike

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