Eagles Recalled: Air Force Wings of Canada, Great Britain and the British Commonwealth 1913-1945 (Schiffer Military History)

Rating:
Summary: A well researched and illustrated book
Review: This is a well researched and illustrated book. A very worthy study of Canadian and other Commonwealth aircrew insignia. The author obviously has a wide experience in researching and collecting in the subject and the coverage of particularly Canadian insignia is excellent. As an Australian, I found the treatment of Australian aircrew badges is very good as he consulted appropriate Australian museum authorities. The only criticisms I have are minor. In dealing with naval aircrew insignia, the author gives the impression of not understanding the rather complex British wartime treatment of 'temporary' naval personnel - they were enrolled in the Naval Volunteer Reserve, with different rank lacing on uniforms to regular officers e.g. 'wavy' stripes as opposed to straight stripes on the uniform sleeve. As almost all Commwealth navy aircrew were temporaries, they wore the wavy stripes. Although illustrations of these appear in the book, this explanation is not given. The other, more humorous (hardly a criticism) is the illustration of first world war Royal Naval Air Service Flight Lieutenant E. Stoneman on page 45, in his uniform, together with a lady who looks very much like his mother (or a close relative as facial features are similar). She, of course is dressed in female attire of the time. Our ever exact author specifically identifies the Lieutenant as the person standing on the left of the photograph! As I said, very minor criticisms. A very good book on the subject