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. Issues are available as printed as well as digital copies (or both).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 2024 journal of Cross & Cockade International features four photographs of RAF squadron lineups that include Bristol F2B Fighters, Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5s, and Sopwith Camels. The rear inside and outside cover is connected to the Tim de Ferrars feature, Marske Miscellany. Two crashed Bristol F2B and two crashed Sopwith Camels are depicted.The center section, The Gazetteer Part 17, covers SAV-TET, however, no fold-out map is included with this issue as in the past. The section consists of five black and white photos and fifteen black and white maps. The Gazetteer is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

The late Stewart K. Taylor leads off this issue with a 26-page, 45-photographs, feature that focuses on Lt. John McLeod MacKay, DFC. Similar to previous Stewart K. Taylor features on Canadian pilots, aviators that served in the same units are also included. Here, you will find that Canada’s ‘Ace of Aces’, William George Barker, DFC, is also covered during a short visit to the Squadron. Flying with 201 Squadron RAF, Lt. John McLeod MacKay primarily flew Sopwith Camels. Page 55.017 features a period photograph of a captured Hanover CL.IIIa, 12676/18, that once had been based at Toulis and served with Schlasta 34. Lt. John McLeod MacKay managed to run into plenty of Hanover CL.III aircraft during his active service. Paul R. Hare is up next with a 3-pager on Royal Aircraft Factory BE2c 2047; ‘Put on Show’. Ten period photographs convey the story of this airframe that was engaged by a German two-seater and forced to land after taking a bullet to her engine and propeller. The two-man crew became POWs and 2047 was put on display.Page 55.031 depicts 2047 with other war trophies. Notice the upper-left photograph of 2047 appears to be in a different location than the bottom photograph.

Trevor Henshaw serves up a 10-page research treatise on British Squadron Aircraft Establishments 1914 – 1918 next. This includes eight black and white period photographs, eight tables in color, 3 maps, and one chart that tracks the number of aircraft on the Western Front by month. Page 55.035 shows off three of the color tables focused on the move to 18 aircraft per squadron from the 11 or 12 mixed aircraft that were sent to war in August 1914. The move to 18 aircraft is tracked from March 1916 to late 1916 along with the aircraft type. Part 2 of the biography of C.B.S. Spackman by Mike Kelsey follows.This fourteen-page feature includes 20 black and white photographs and two black and white maps. The first part in the last issue covered Spackman’s training and involvement with 47 Squadron in the air war in Macedonia. This second part starts with Sparkman’s home leave that began on February 1, 1918, addresses his WWII service, and concludes with his death on December 7, 1971, in Douglas, Ireland. The photograph at the top of page 55.044 depicts a 47 Squadron SE5a [B692] in Macedonia. Unfortunately, the author was not able to find any of the SE5as that Spackman had flown in. However, the Armstrong Whitworth F.K.3 [either A1467 or A1468] behind the SE5a in the photograph may have been flown by Spackman. The unusual camouflage pattern is notable.

The first part of Andrei Alexandrov’s history [edited by Harry Woodman] of The Imperial Russian Naval Air Service spans ten-pages and includes 25 period photographs. Many of the photographs are sourced from the Russian State Archive. This first part kicks off with photographs from September 1, 1901, with period photographs of a Godard balloon off the quarterdeck of the Georgy Pobiedonosets [Георгий Победоносец / Saint George the Victorious] battleship. Page 55.064 depicts an Antoinette in flight. Lt Stanislaw F. Dorozhinsky persuaded the Russian Admiralty to purchase an Antoinette V, that was delivered to Sevastopol. Dorozhinsky took off from Kulikovo field on September 16, 1910, becoming the first Russian naval officer to fly in Russia. An additional two Antoinettes were purchased and were in service from 1910 to 1911.The second photograph depicts naval officer Lt Griogory V. Piotrovsky and student passenger A. Maisanov who flew a Bleriot monoplane from St. Peterburg to Kronstadt on September 22, 1910; the first long distance flight over water in Russia. Interestingly, this ‘first’ flight wasn’t planned, it was caused by deteriorating weather conditions and the expectation fuel was insufficient to return to St. Petersburg. He wasn’t wrong. The fuel ran out before touching down and the Bleriot was slightly damaged upon landing in Kronstadt. Piotrovsky attempted to fly back to St. Petersburg after repairs were made on October 7, however, two miles into the flight back a wind gust picked up the Bleriot and sent it to the ground. Luckily, no one was hurt, but the Bleriot was not so fortunate.

Marske Miscellany by Tim de Ferrars represents a collection of period photographs by his grandfather, Samuel Kilmaine D’Arcy de Ferras. Ten photographs are included over five pages [including the inside and outer rear cover]. Joe Moran highlights market news for kits and accessories. This issue sees Bob Gladding building a Toko 1/72 French Sopwith 1B1 single seat bomber and Joe Moran building an Airfix 1/72 Sopwith Pup that was originally released in 1973. The Bookshelf section is a review of WWI aviation specific books and magazines with this issue totaling nine.

Topics:

• Editorial by Mick Davis
• ‘Thanks, But No Thanks' by Stewart K. Taylor [Page 55.017]
• Put On Show BE2c 2047 by Paul R. Hare [Page 55.031]
• British Squadron Aircraft Establishments 1914 - 1918 by Trevor Henshaw [Page 55.035]
• C.B.S. Spackman Part 2 by Mike Kelsey [Page 55.044]
• The Imperial Russian Naval Air Service Part 1 by Andrei Alexandrov/ edited by Harry Woodman [Page 55.064]
• Marske Miscellany by Tim de Ferrars
• Modeling: New Releases and Kit Reviews compiled by Joe Moran
• Bookshelf – edited by Paul R. Hare

There is no surprise that this is another incredible issue from Cross & Cockade International and I am always 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 waiting for the next issue.

My thanks to Cross & Cockade International and IPMS/USA for the chance to review this great issue.

Highly recommended!