Cross & Cockade International Spring 2020 Volume 51/1

Published on
September 10, 2020
Review Author(s)
Book Author(s)
Ed. Mick Davis
Other Publication Information
Softbound, A4 [8.27” x 11.69:], 80 pages
Product / Stock #
Volume 51/1
Front Cover

Cross & Cockade International is a non-profit UK based group known as the First World War Aviation Historical Society that publishes their journal four times a year. They also provide a free newsletter (sign up on their website) and occasionally publish WWI themed books like the Sopwith Dolphin monograph I reviewed earlier for IPMS USA. This Journal is the sister of the US Journal, Over The Front.

The Spring 2020 Journal of Cross & Cockade International - Spring 2020, features a nice clear black and white photograph of Ltn Kurt Monington of Jasta 15 in his Albatros D.V. The rear cover features in-action shots of a 20 Squadron FE2b in early 1916. This issue includes the first in a series of British flying sites in France, Belgium, and Germany from 1914 to 1920. This is a separately page numbered center section that consists of eight pages. Also included is a separate folded color 1/100,000 map consisting of eight pages when folded up. This first map represents the flying sites in Abbeville while Amiens is on the reverse side.

Paul R. Hare kicks off this issue continuing with his detailed histories of individual RAF BE2a aircraft. Through five pages, Paul covers the four BE2a that had long careers with the RFC’s Naval Wing. This article includes sixteen well captioned photographs. Stewart K. Taylor follows with a 22-page article on the RAF’s 21st Squadron experience with the severely underpowered Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.7. This is an excellent feature using interviews, letters, and diaries. Stewart provides a biography of 2Lt Arthur Melville Goulding that comprises half of this article before addressing several other pilots in the 21stSquadron. Interestingly, many of A. M. Goulding’s photographs are presented.

Thomas Nilsson offers up a ten-page article on the French GB8 that was formed on January 1918 for night bombing. David Mechin provides three gorgeous color side profiles of Voisins along with 14 period black and white photographs. GB8 began operations targeting airfields, railway stations, and ammunition depots. Thomas Nilsson provides details on the Groupe’s missions, including dates, number of missions, bomb tonnage dropped, and GB8 losses. A.D. Garvey is up next with a six-page article on the evolution of aircraft markings and aviator’s uniforms in World War One, with Why Was the Red Baron Fokker Painted Red?

Lorne Bohn contributes a five-page article with 11 photographs on the impact of early aircraft development and marketing. Items that every ‘modern’ aviator must have, included goggles, flight clothing, scarves, socks, and helmets. Interestingly, upgrades to early aircraft landing gear was apparently a good industry. Keep in mind that the original Wright Flyer took off and landed on skids. Upgrading your aircraft with a variety of wheels, or pontoons gave the daring adventure quite a few great options. Philip Jarrett chimes in with a 17-page feature on Assistant Paymaster Edward Bertram Parker. The author addresses RFC’s Naval Wing flights out of Eastchurch in 1913 and includes 23 black and white photographs. Based on Philip Jarrett obtaining a large ledger that served as a personal flight log book, this article serves as a biography of Edward Bertram Parker. The ledger reveals his flight training in conjunction with pilots who would go onto fame.

Mick Davis’s Fabric consists of a correction to Mike Meech’s article in the Winter 2019 (50/4) issue addressing the James Means Device. This was effectively using smoke signals form the aircraft’s engine so that a ground observer could read them. Three additional photographs are also included. Joe Moran does a build review of the Valom 1/144 Rumpler C.IV kit in Modelingwith four black and white photographs. Joe Moran also provides and update on new on-topic releases. The Bookshelf section is a review of WWI aviation specific books and magazines with this issue totaling nine.

Topics

  • Editorial by Mick Davis
  • The RAF Be2a in the Naval Wing by Paul R. Hare [Page 51-004]
  • 21 Squadron’s Beardmore Blues by Stewart Taylor [Page 51-011]
  • The History of Groupe de Bombardments 8 (GB8) by Thomas Nilsson [Page 51-036]
  • The Gazetteer of British Flying Sites in France, Belgium, and Germany 1914 – 1920 Part 1 by Peter Dye, Roger Austin, and Mick Davis
  • Why Was The Red Baron’s Fokker Painted Red?– by A. D. Harvey [Page 51-040]
  • Early Aircraft Development & The Marketplace by Lorne Bohn [Page 51-048]
  • The Tragic Tale of Assistant Paymaster Parker, RN by Philip Jarrett
  • Fabric compiled by Mick Davis
  • Modeling: New Releases and Kit Reviews compiled by Joe Moran
  • Bookshelf

This is another excellent issue from Cross & Cockade and I continue to be impressed with the quality of the articles, both from a research perspective and readability. The period pictures, maps, and drawings in this journal come off looking great thanks to their printing on the journal's glossy paper. If you are into early / WWI aviation; this journal is an incredible source of information that will have you on the edge of your seat for the next issue. My thanks to Cross & Cockade International and IPMS/USA for the chance to review this great issue.

Highly recommended!

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