AirCraft: The Jet as Art

How refreshing to come across a technology art book. Artists, of course, have realized the beauty of the machine for decades, especially with the Modernist movement in Europe during the Twenties and Thirties. Charles Sheeler was perhaps the leading American photographer to appreciate the exciting visual form of technology. Now photographer (and designer because he did the book's layout) Jeffrey Milstein brings it bang up to date with these stunning photos of jet bottoms. I thinks it's worth saying that if you like the technical detail aspect of aircraft maybe this book isn't for you but if you want to see crisp, precise photos of contemporary jets from a very unusual angle you'll enjoy the forty-two shown in these pages. There are some profile shots and seven front-on ones but neither of these can capture the fascination of the undersides. The book is a treat to look through thanks to the square twelve inch by twelve format with the jets handsomely printed (in 250dpi) on good paper. There is a visual extravaganza of a double foldout (to forty-six inches across) of the 'Indian Princess' Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340-600 so if you ever sat in the window seat on the right-hand side of this particular jet here's a rather unusual flight memento for you. My only criticism is that the list of aircraft on a spread in the back is alphabetical rather than page number sequence and some spreads, amazingly, have no numbers. A second volume Jeffrey? ***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

For the passenger aircraft enthusiast, this is an amazing book. The author/photographer has captured, from a very consistent angle, the landing configuration of passenger aircraft that are flying today. The excellent photographs of each plane have been set against a white background that eliminates the distraction of any other surrounding elements and focuses one's view on the plane itself. A very interesting study of passenger aircraft, each photograph reveals details and the differences in wing shape, flaps in landing configuration, nacelle shape, landing gear, navigation lights, etc. that are otherwise only seen in fleeting moments when one is lucky enough to have a plane fly directly overhead just seconds before touchdown. Again, an amazing book!

The Jet as Art is a beautifully presented book with sensational photos. A dedinate must have for anyone who loves planes.

As an Aerospace Engineer, I have always seen artistic value in Commercial Aircraft. That is why I am so excited to find a book that illustrates this in such exquisite detail. The resolution in these photos is just incredible. One can identify every antenna, drain mast, external doubler and placard on these magnificent machines. The white background makes the subject jump off the page; plus the centerfold was an unexpected bonus. I can only hope that Jeffrey Milstein brings us other books like this in the future.

AirCraft is a beautiful and unsuspected work - those of us who have been around aircraft much of our lives understand and warm to the beauty of the machine. Jeffrey Millstein brings not only a superb eye, but extraordinary technical ability to capture these birds from an unusual perspective. This book is for anyone interested in design, color, aircraft, or who wants to see a customary object from a different vantage point.