More books

“Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Since 1913” by Oliver Tapper. 390 pp. 8.1/2 in. X 5 in. (Putnam & Co. Ltd., 9 Bow Street, London, WC2E 7AL. £6.00).

It is excellent that Putnam’s are continuing their inimitable one-make aircraft histories, which show up similar work in the motor-car field. This one is about the company which built among so many other famous aeroplanes the never-to-be-forgotten Siskin, so redolent of the golden age of flying and RAF. The Siddeley Deasy, and Armstrong Siddcley flavour will appeal to motoring historians but the book stands out as another very complete piece of specialised aviation history, in Putnam’s standard format. That means with a most interesting and informative introduction to the AW Company and its personnel, followed by detailed technical descriptions of each of its products, from the wartime veterans to the 1970s Argosies. An appendix covers AW projects, the book is fully indexed and copiously illustrated, with the expected threeview plans of many of the aeroplanes.

This is exactly how history should be presented and students of AW happenings will be well satisfied.—W.B.

“Ferrari—The Sports and Gran Turismo Cars” by Warren W. Fitzgerald and Richard F. Merritt. 255 pp. 11 in. x 8.1/2 in. (PSL Ltd., Bar Hill, Cambridge, C83 8EL. £11.95).

It might be thought that Ferrari, important and exciting make that it is, has now had ample book coverage. But a pictorial history is always more attractive at first sight and this American publication, first published in 1968 and now updated and enlarged, is certainly that. From the early Colombo-designed 1.1/2 V12s to the present flat-twelves this is a nicely produced history with ample text to support the many black and white pictures and the colour plates.—W.B.

Speedspores book by Paul Davies about tuning the four-cylinder Fords has been issued in a second revised edition, at £1.50.

Hamlyn’s 75p Pearson’s Illustrated Car Servicing Series now covers the Ford Cortina Mk. III.