Pictorial History of the FRENCH AIR FORCE : VOLUMES 1 and 2

These two magnificent books, beautifully illustrated with photographs and a handful of colour illustrations, depict the aeroplanes used by the French Air Force since 1909 until 1974.

Aviation book
As this book remind us, French pre - eminence in the field of European aviation is by no means a new phenomenom. First to grasp the military importance of aircraft, the French laid the foundations of their air arm as early as 1909 and at the end of the First World War had the biggest air force in the world.
Caught in 1940 with many modern types under development but too few in production and fewer still in service, the French Air Force was defeated by the superior numbers and performance of the Luftwaffe. French aircraft industry was taken over by the Germans and subsequently much of it was destroyed by allied bombing. It seemed to many that the French were finished for ever as an air power.
( ... ) Thirty years later, the French have recovered not only the ground they lost but have advanced again into a leading position - an achievement that is one of the ’ works wonders ’ of post - war Europe. The first volume of a two - part series will cover the initial period from the early pioneering days to the beginning of the Second World War.
( ... ) The second volume will cover the period of eclipse and revival.

André Van Haute is a Belgian author specialised in aviation. He has published a couple of books over this very matter, such as : De Republic F - 84f Thunderstreak in dienst bij de Belgische Luchtmacht ( 2007 ), Hawker Hunter : en service à la Force Aérienne belge ( 2008 ).
( sources : Book Depository, amazon )