This latest Datafile has just been published. It follows the well
estabished format for this series. There are 73 period photos, mostly from
the Peter Grosz collection, of the G-IV plus a few of its prototype and
earlier models. Coverage is focused on operational models with some images
of some of experimental types, particularly the Becker cannon armed
versions. The brief text by Grosz explains how this was the most
successful of the G-type aircraft in the German Air Service, a rugged and
dependable machine. Like other aircraft flown operationally at night a
high number of its losses were the result of landing mishaps. These were
usually from not being able to see the ground or objects (streams, hangars)
thereupon placed. Thus a fair number of photographs of this aircraft were
made of wrecked machines for inquiry boards. This circumstance does allow
for viewing of surfaces on the top and bottom of the aircraft not usually
seen.
This datafile also features modern detail photographs of the restored
A.E.G. preserved in the aviation museum in Ottowa, Ontario (I'm sorry, I
can never remember this collection's proper name, so flame away). These
are certainly useful for the modeler and subscribers to this group.
Color notes written by Ray Rimmel borrow substantially from material
presented in the information booklet available with Americal/Gryphon decal
sheets dedicated to A.E.G. markings. Three color profiles are printed on
the back.
All in all, this is a most useful reference for an aircraft that
previously has not received much press. It is unfortunate that more space
was alloted to covering the earlier machines (G-II and G-III) since these
types did not have production numbers to perhaps warrant their own
Datafile. This uniformity of page numbers and format for this line of
publications is my chief complaint with them. Certainly a few less modern
photos could have been included to see a few of the earlier models in this
series. I can recommend this publication to everyone in this readership,
even those interested in flying scale. For them this would be a challenge.
Charles Hart
hartc@spot.colorado.edu