Editorial
Will 2023 be a dark year for aviation enthusiasts?
We have just learned of the recent deaths of two personalities from our little world: Norman Franks and Jean-Yves Brouard.
Norman Franks (our photo) died on May 21 at the age of 83. This talented British historian had published his first book in 1976, at a time when the Internet did not exist… which did not facilitate research. He had written, or co-written, several dozen books devoted to British aviation during the Second World War as well as to the Great War, in particular for the publisher Grub Street. Many of them are still references. AVIONS owes him a dozen articles that appeared in our numbers 155 (An ace as modest as it is efficient: Franck "Chota" Carey), 156 and 157 (The Lancasters "Best of the Best"), 168 (Paul Richey, the ace of the French campaign), 184 (With the French “Spit” of the 145 Wing in 1945), 191 (An ace on Spitfire: “Buck” McNair), 198 and 199 (“Was Mick” Mannock the greatest ace of the British Empire in 14-18?), 198 (The Halifax "Best of the Best"), 221 (Derek Ward, the ace who fell victim to the "Star of Africa") and 240 (Michal Maciejowski, a Polish ace in the RAF as well as Fritz Rumey, Otto Könnecke and Josef Mai: the golden trio of Jasta 5).
Jean-Yves Brouard, who died accidentally on May 11, was the creator and screenwriter of the “Missions Kimono” comic strip that our readers know well because we had reviewed this series several times.
We express our sincere condolences to their families and loved ones.
To end on a more cheerful note and even if it is the centenary of his death, we wanted to pay tribute to Albert Deullin, one of the most unknown French aces despite his impressive record: 20 approved victories and almost as many " probable”. Its influence on the evolution of fighter tactics during the Great War, then during the beginnings of commercial aviation after the conflict, was however major. The “prodigal son” of Les Cigognes well deserved a biography that we hope matches his talent! Christophe Cony.
We are interested in your MS.406
The editorial staff of LELA Presse is preparing a new book on the French Morane-Saulnier 406s. We are looking for any rare or little known document concerning this aircraft and its users (photographs, flight logs, logbooks, technical documentation, etc.). In advance, thank you to anyone who can help us...
Summary
- News: Romania says goodbye to its MiG-21 LanceR. Full story, by Iulian Robanescu.
- War in Ukraine: a Sukhoi for missiles, or the incredible affair of the bombing of the Kanatove base. Full story, by Christophe Cony.
- After drones, is Ukraine launching microlights on Russian territory? Full story, by Christophe Cony.
- French ace 1917-1918: Albert Deullin, the prodigal son. First part, by Marc Chassard, Philippe Guillermin and Christophe Cony.
- The Dornier night fighters (2): the Do 217. Full story, by Chris Goss.
- The JFS 5/JG 105 in France (June 1941-June 1944). Complete story, by Jean-Louis Roba.
- Infotainment. By Jacques Druel.
In front page
Albert Deullin posing in February 1918 with his Spad XII-gun on the Daucourt field. Aged only 27, the ace has just been appointed commander of Combat Group 19, which means that he now has four squadrons under his command! (coll. Christophe Cony)
