The latest journal of Cross & Cockade International - Summer 2018, features a front cover photograph of a 2F1 Camel taking off from the Firth of Forth. The inside and outside rear cover features a series of four photographs depicting the launching of a 2F1 Camel from a turret platform (Probably the HMS Barham). If you check out the web site link above, you can get additional sample pics of the current issue.

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.

Ian Burns leads off with “Some Raid That, By Cripes!, a major feature on the famous Tondern Raid of July 19, 1918. The Tondern raid was the first attack in history utilizing carrier based aircraft as seven Camels departed the HMS Furious. This strike took out the zeppelins, L 54 and L 60, in addition to a captive balloon and damage to two hangers. Although the hangers were repaired, the Germans essentially abandoned the airbase, leaving it for emergency use only. This first part covers 27 pages and includes 53 black and white photographs and two black and white maps. Ian aptly presents the background leading into this raid and all of the development and planning that led to this successful strike. Part 2 will describe the actual raid itself along with its aftermath.

Juraj Červenka follows Ian with a biography of Austro-Hungarian airman, Albert Bujanovics, an Oberleutnant in Der Reserve. Although not a famous airman, Juraj does provide an valuable perspective on Flik 101G, and indeed, Austro-Hungarian airman training and service. Peter Cowlan concludes the story of ‘The Development and Use of the Salmson Canton-Unne' Aero Engine, 1908-1918’ that began in Volume 49, Issue 1, presenting the history of development of this powerplant. This second part comprises 16 pages and includes 26 black and white pictures, including photos of the Salmson-Moineau SM-11 and the solitary Salmson-Moineau SM-2 aircraft. In both cases, a single A2C was installed in the fuselage with drive shaft coming out the front and rear of the engine to drive propeller units on either side of the fuselage. The SM2 featured a nine-cylinder A9 engine mounted on the front of the fuselage in a more ‘normal’ position to drive a propeller.

Paul Hare jumps in with a short article on the Royal Aircraft Factory BE10 where he backdates the design date from mid-1915 to late 1913. Nevertheless, no BE10s were built before a cancellation came from the War Office. The christening of the BE10 as “The Gas Pipe Aeroplane” was due to the tubular construction of the fuselage, a novelty at the time. Stewart K. Taylor chimes in with a biography of ace George Roberts Howsam who flew Camels and Snipes with 43 and 70 Squadrons. Stewart weaves in first person accounts that truly bring this account to life and transforms it in to an engaging read.

Barry Gray kicks off a new series that describes German hangars and aeroplane sheds, beginning with Hanger Type A and Hanger Type B. Beautifully clear period photographs are supplemented with line drawings that include dimensions. Stuart Leslie contributes a two page photo study of airframes that were modified or in unusual markings.

Joe Moran continues with his Modeling feature. This month he focuses in on a A Model SPAD A.2 kit build. Joe has also volunteered to start reviewing kits for the Cross & Cockade website to generate additional traffic. Make sure you check it out! The standard feature, Logbook, is absent this issue, but Mick Davis’ Fabric is present and accounted for. Mick provides three photographs of colorful Fleet Camels depicting sunbursts, stripes, and polka dots. The Bookshelf section is a review of WWI aviation specific books and magazines with this issue totaling eleven.

Topics

• Editorial by Mick Davis
• Some Raid That, By Cripes! by Ian Burns [Page 091]
• Oberleutnant in Der Reserve: Albert Bujanovics by Juraj Červenka [Page 111]
• The Development and use of the Salmson Canton-Unné Aero Engine 1908-1918 Part 2 by Peter J. Cowlan [Page 116]
• New Date for the Gas Pipe Aeroplane by Paul R. Hare [Page 131]
• Camel Marksman, Snipe Sniper: Lt George Roberts Howsam MC by Stewart K. Taylor [Page 144]
• German Hangers and Aeroplane Sheds Part One by Barry Gray [Page 151]
• The Same – But Different: A Photo Study via G.S. Leslie
• Fabric: Queries and Feedback compiled by Mick Davis
• Modelling: New Releases and Kit Reviews: compiled by Joe Moran
• Bookshelf
• RAF Elmswell: Update on a Lost Aerodrome by Peter McGee and Graham Mack
• Logbook: 13 RS/TS Unit Markings: compiled by Mick Davis

This is another great 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!