Rumpler Aircraft of WW1
By Matt Bittner
Author: Jack Herris
Publisher: Aeronaut Books
ISBN #: 978-1-935881-21-6
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 208
This is the first title I have had the honor of looking at in Aeronaut Books Great War Aviation Centennial Series. If they are all this way, then these books are a must to the WW1 aviation historian and modeler alike. They are top-notch and the level of information within the pages is first rate. You cannot go wrong when you pick up one of these titles.
Rumpler Aircraft of WW1 starts off with a general history of the aircraft producer which gives an excellent view point on how this company was and how it operated. There were a lot of unique designs that came from this company, especially in terms of two-seaters.
Naturally the sections are broken out by types – the 'B' series unarmed two-seaters, the 'C' series of armed two-seaters, etc. The one design Rumpler is well known for is their C.IV, the definitive high-altitude reconnaissance, armed two-seater. Not only was this aircraft loved by its crew, but it could also out-fly most single-seat fighters at altitude. There weren't very many fighters that could reach the level it flew at, and those that did really struggle to catch up to it and meet it.
This book is superlative. The text is first-rate with descriptions on each type and how each type faired. The photos are produced at a very high standard and are as clear as possible. In addition the excellent color profiles provided by Bob Pearson will help the modeler determine how to finish their model. Finally, the drawings at the end are to a high standard as well, providing 1/48 drawings for the single- and double-seaters, and 1/72 for the bombers.
If you can't tell, I really enjoyed this book. Everything you ever wanted to know about Rumpler and its WW1 designs are present in this book. With the high resolution of the photographs and Bob Pearson's color profiles, this is the "go-to" book when dealing with Rumpler.
Huge thanks to Aeronaut Books for the review copy.