The Air Racers, Aviation's Golden Era 1909-1936

Gwynn-Jones, Jerry

Published by Pelham Books, London, 1984

About this Item

First UK Edition - - The era of the great air races lasted little more than a quarter of a Century but in that period aircraft developed from the primitive machines made of wood, wire and fabric to the efficient all-metal airliner. - The earliest races excited an awestruck world with the sheer miracle of flight but by 1914 the evolution had begun. The Schneider Trophy of 1914 spawned the legendary Sopwith fighters which were to achieve such fame on the Western Front. - In The Air Racers all the great races are covered from 1909 when Lord Northcliffe's Daily Mail challenged the 'flying fools' to cross the English Channel. There is America's first race around the Statue of Liberty, the Gordon Bennett races, and the two long distance races of 1919. These races showed the public that aircraft could cross oceans; worldwide air travel was becoming a real possibility. - During the 1920s air racing attracted unprecedented attention as flying strove to gain public respectability. This great enthusiasm is vividly portrayed here by the author. - The illustrations in The Air Racers, many of them previously unpublished, bring to life the glamour and excitement and indeed the courage of these aviation heroes. 224 p. with many rare photographs, many of the colourised hardcover with dust jacket, large format.

Seller Inventory # 22713

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Air Racers, Aviation's Golden Era 1909-1936
• Publisher: Pelham Books, London
• Publication Date: 1984
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: very good condition
• Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included