Warbird Legends

Rating:
Summary: The Best I've seen!
Review: John Dibbs has captured some incredible pictures as well as actual pilot stories. I was very impressed with the photograpy and history of the various WWII aircraft. Another reviewer says it was poor quality and falling apart. I found it to be just the opposite! I'm certain you will love this book as much as I have.

Rating:
Summary: TYPICAL JOHN DIBBS EXCELLENCE
Review: John Dibbs has long been my favorite aircraft photographer because he demands "excellence" in the aircraft and people he photographs. You won't see a P-51, P-47, P-40, etc. with a pilot wearing his favorite ball cap and his girl friend or buddy in the "back seat" of his "single seat" fighter! There is nothing more irritating than finding an excellent photo of a correctly restored WWII aircraft with a pilot wearing all the wrong things or with a "passenger" in his "single seat" fighter. I can excuse the modern "Crash Helmet" for safety purposes, but even then the pilot could put on a correct period helmet and goggles for the photo shoot and then put the crash helmet back on when finished. There are a few photos in this book in which the pilot is wearing a modern crash helmet and no photos with any other nonesense. In general the book adheres to the same level of excellence as the John Dibbs' "Flying Legends" calenders that I buy every year. I should probaby give this book a 4 rather than a 5 for the sole reason that this book should have been published as a "HARD BACK" book and not a soft back book. It is far too heavy and subject to easy damage as a paper back. The content of this book deserves a hard back! Hopefully the publisher will realize that for the next printing. The only other small thing that I noticed (so far) and was a bit disappointed in was that the beautifully restored Messerschmitt Bf109G-10 appearing on pages 174, 175 and 176 was photographed before all of the markings were complete. The same aircraft appears on pages 113 and 114 (being chased by a Mustang) with all markings complete.
I would still recommend buying this book and then writing to MBI Publishing and suggest they print it in "HARD BACK" binding! The extra cost would be well worth it!

Rating:
Summary: TYPICAL JOHN DIBBS EXCELLENCE
Review: John Dibbs has long been my favorite aircraft photographer because he demands "excellence" in the aircraft and people he photographs. You won't see a P-51, P-47, P-40, etc. with a pilot wearing his favorite ball cap and his girl friend or buddy in the "back seat" of his "single seat" fighter! There is nothing more irritating than finding an excellent photo of a correctly restored WWII aircraft with a pilot wearing all the wrong things or with a "passenger" in his "single seat" fighter. I can excuse the modern "Crash Helmet" for safety purposes, but even then the pilot could put on a correct period helmet and goggles for the photo shoot and then put the crash helmet back on when finished. There are a few photos in this book in which the pilot is wearing a modern crash helmet and no photos with any other nonesense. In general the book adheres to the same level of excellence as the John Dibbs' "Flying Legends" calenders that I buy every year. I should probaby give this book a 4 rather than a 5 for the sole reason that this book should have been published as a "HARD BACK" book and not a soft back book. It is far too heavy and subject to easy damage as a paper back. The content of this book deserves a hard back! Hopefully the publisher will realize that for the next printing. The only other small thing that I noticed (so far) and was a bit disappointed in was that the beautifully restored Messerschmitt Bf109G-10 appearing on pages 174, 175 and 176 was photographed before all of the markings were complete. The same aircraft appears on pages 113 and 114 (being chased by a Mustang) with all markings complete.
I would still recommend buying this book and then writing to MBI Publishing and suggest they print it in "HARD BACK" binding! The extra cost would be well worth it!

Rating:
Summary: Terrible
Review: To put it frankly, this has to be one of the worst aviation photography books out there. Not only are the pictures of a poor quality, but 5 pages have fallen out of the book, and i have only had it for two months. Its disgusting to have to pay so much for a terrible piece of work. To anyone who is thinking of purchasing this book, i would highly reccomend any one of Philip Makanna's books. They happen to be my favorite.

Thank You