The latest journal of Cross & Cockade International - Spring 2015 Vol. 46/1- is the first of the journals that will make up Volume 46. C&C I is the quarterly publication of the non-profit UK based organization known as The First World War Aviation Historical Society. They have continuously published these journals since 1970 with the objective of furthering the study of First World War Aviation History. This journal continues the organization’s mission by providing considerable information on a wide range of WWI aviation subjects…this time delivering the interesting history and personal accounts of pilots engaged in reconnaissance flights in the early years of the war, a feature article about the Royal Navy’s ship born kite balloon operations, a tabulation of RFC aircraft supporting the British Expeditionary Force in 1914, and a six-page photo feature of aircraft from albums of the Gerhardt-Japp collection. The journal’s cover photo of RE5 #617 from squadron 28 is an introduction to this edition’s seven-page feature on high altitude reconnaissance in 1914/15.

Following an editorial page that includes more comment about the proliferation of publications hastily covering to the first year of the WWI Centenary vs, the Society’s ongoing commitment to publish only accurately researched information about the subject in C&CI, the impressive content of the first journal of this volume includes:

• High Altitude Reconnaissance 1914 Style: by Paul Hare
• “It was a Terrific Day in the Air”, 15 September,1916: by Michael Durey
• Atlas of German and Foreign Seaplanes: Kaiserliche Werft postscript: by Paul Leaman
• Kite Ballons at Sea; Gallipoli and Salonika 1915-16: by Ian Burns
• Impatient Ace; Capt. CRR Hickey: by Stewart Taylor
• The RFC with the BEF: by Mick Davies
• An Aircraft Destroyed in Belgium: Luc Vanaker
• From the Albums: The Gerhardt-Japp Collection – Part 2: via Paul Leaman (Photo Feature)
• Logbook: Moranes in RFC Service – Part 6: Mick Davis & Trevor Henshaw
• Ordnance Survey Map, Gazetteer of Flying Sites part 21: Wes - Yar

Also included in this Journal are the regular Fabric (Q&A), Recce and Bookshelf columns (reviewing 13 titles) along with a number of excellent vintage sepia-toned photos on the back cover (inside and out) of a captured SPAD S.VII and two Sopwith F1 Camels. They are extremely high quality period photos…very useful material for model builders.

Another large foldout insert is also included in this journal continuing the series of A2 Ordnance Survey maps of the location of all sites of WW1 aviation interest in Scotland (3 & 4). This foldout includes four original sheets with a guide showing how they relate to one another. When complete, this series of high quality maps will cover the whole of the UK and Ireland.

This publication is extremely well done and highly recommended to those with a serious interest in WWI aviation or anyone who would like to become serious about the subject. Four of these Journals make up an entire Volume and each volume provides comprehensive information on myriad WWI aviation subjects. My thanks to The First World War Aviation Historical Society for providing the publication sample and to IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review it.