Classic Airlines

Whether you are a seasoned airliner aficionado like a casual or curious observer, or myself this small book contains a treasure trove of facts and anecdotes on airliners ranging from the 14-seat De Havilland Heron to the mighty Boeing 747-100/-200. Mr. Singfield accommodates nearly everyone's definition of a classic airliner; his criteria for inclusion are that the type must be out of production with at least one preserved survivor (air show circuit queen or museum piece) somewhere in the world. Sadly, this precludes inclusion of such fascinating types as Handley-Page HP-42 Heracles, and De Havilland DH-91 Albatross, the latter in my mind being one of the most beautiful aircraft ever built. At least the author explains this up front in the introduction. Similarly, we also no not get to see most of the wonderful old Clippers, such as the Martin M130, Sikorsky S-42, or Boeing 314 Clipper, but newly restored Vought-Sikorsky VS-44A is present in all its glory.Mr. Singfield includes the venerable classics such as the DC-3, Lockheed Constellation, De Havilland DH-106 Comet, and Boeing 707, but the book's greatest strength lies in its inclusion of less well-known types, particulary old Soviet types that are only recently accessible to Western observers. This book helped me finally distinguish between the Ilyushin Il-12 and Il-14 and the Antonov An-8, An-10, and An-12. The author also points out how the Antonov An-8's design predated the mighty Lockheed Hercules. And speaking of old Soviet airliners, page 138 has a wonderful and highly historic 1956 picture of Tupolev Tu-104A CCCP-L5445 visiting Idlewild airport in 1956, the first production airliner to visit New York City (Boeings Dash-80 did make a visit earlier), predating BOAC's first London to New York Comet flight by some two years!"I'm sure you will find ... other [airliners] that qualify for inclusion by age, scarcity, or interest," writes the author. Indeed I did: the McDonnell-Douglas DC-8 series -60 and -70, oldies but goodies widely praised for their durability and excellent economics. The 737-100 and -200 are included but not the 727 series, which enjoyed one of the longest production runs of any airliner until eclipsed by the 737 and A320 series. The early model 747s are there, but the DC-10 and Lockheed L1011 are not, though the latter two are rapidly disappearing from mainstream service. However, much to his credit, Mr. Singfield did include the Concorde, which with its recent (2003) retirement has become a cult symbol even among persons with no further interest in airliners.All in all, this book has a lot to offer, and even a jaded aviation enthusiast who thinks he or she has seen it all will learn something new from this interesting book.

You can never get bored of this great book: for more than 3 months I kept it around with me everywhere, and if I had 5 minutes, I just opened it up randomly and forgot about the outside world. Not that much of technical specifications (just the basics), but lots of history and superb photographs (3 photos for each model!) about commercial airplanes of yesterday and day before yesterday, including legendary and less known makes and models. Each entry has information about production and about present availability of the model, whether airworthy or just a museum piece. The book is very rich in Russian-built aircraft, including models you may have never heard of. If you are an aviation fan, wherever you open this book, you will find something interesting to read and see. If you are not a specialist, going through this book, you may formulate a shocking idea about how the industry reached to where it is now. An excellent gift item to your son before he believes that travelling is Jumbo Jet or maximum an Airbus and an excellent gift item to your father to help him recall some possible personal experiences that he had already forgotten from the near past. Tom Singfields excellent work is a must for everybody, having the slightest interest for technical history of commercial aviation!