(1888PressRelease)
November 03, 2008 - WAR WINGS: Films of the First Air War is a reference guide that describes, in detail, over 2,500 motion picture scenes of WWI aviation action held within the National Archives.
Contrary to some widely-held beliefs, large, heavy, wooden boxes with crude brass-encased glass lenses, metal hand cranks, and ungainly tripods were, indeed, filming the events of the Great War. They were shot on-location, as history happened, by dedicated and courageous U.S. Army Signal Corps soldier-cameramen. The films that found their way back with the U.S. Army after the war are considered official government records and are preserved at the National Archives. Unfortunately, very few of these motion pictures show the airplane in action. In fact, of the thousands of WWI related reels held in the National Archives, only 71 film titles document aviation activities, and half of those consist of only a few scenes. The “A-List” films in WAR WINGS are fully identified, each reel and scene numbered, the camera shots noted, and the scenes described. Details of the “B-List” film titles are summarized. The motion picture titles covered in WAR WINGS include: Aviation Training in the U.S., 94th Aero Squadron, Munitionsanfertigung (Munitions of War), Naval Aircraft, Third Aviation Instruction Center, Warriors of the Air, La Rhone 120 HP Engine, Balloon Companies in the A.E.F., France in Arms, Military Equipment Delivered to the Allies by the Germans, and 61 more.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT WAR WINGS-
"This book is absolutely indispensable to a student of World War I aviation. Anyone writing anything about WWI aviation needs to use this book to give flesh and dimension to what otherwise is found only in the printed word." -- Walter J. Boyne, Historian and National Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinee
"Phil deserves our gratitude for collecting this material and making it available. It is fascinating information. It's the next best thing to seeing the films themselves." -- Leonard E. Opdycke, publisher
"I gave the book an A rating and I suggest it to anyone who will be researching the aviation aspects of WW I." -- William Phenn
for Reader Views
"What a treasure chest of information for researchers - War Wings is a true undiscovered gem. It is a one of a kind book that will someday be recognized as a monumental and historic achievement." -- W.H. McDonald Jr., Military Writer's Society of America
"War Wings must be considered as an indispensable resource for scholars, aviation history enthusiasts, World War I buffs, and students of the motion picture. Academic librarians and museum curators should consider War Wings as a core addition to their reference collections." -- Midwest Book Review
ABOUT THE AUTHOR-
Phil Stewart, has been a historical film consultant, video producer, TV producer/director, multimedia manager and occasional author for over 30 years. He also volunteers as a motion picture film researcher for the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Mr. Stewart is a member of the American Aviation Historical Society, League of World War I Aviation Historians, and the Military Writers Society of America. Check out Mr. Stewart's website www.pwstewart.com for more information.
WAR WINGS: Films of the First Air War by Phillip W. Stewart (ISBN 978-0-9793243-4-5; $24.95 trade pb; pms press; 219 pages; 2008). This book is available through the publisher (www.pmspress.com) and Amazon.com.
###
