For over 30 years, Mark Proulx has been collecting original photos of pilots and their aircraft that saw action in World War II and beyond. The bulk of his wartime collection to date captures the history of the German Luftwaffe in the Second World War. Many readers will be familiar with his on-going published releases in the Wings of the Black Cross series.
While collecting these period photographs, Mark has been fortunate to add a few images of Allied aircraft. Many of these were amassed against the Luftwaffe in Fortress Europe. In agreement with Eagle Editions Ltd. LLC, it is understood that these photographs need to be published for all to see. Consequently, they have opted to publish the first book in a limited series, Wings of the Allies: The European Air War.
This new series will continue in the successful Wings of the Black Cross format, first created by Jerry Crandall many years ago. The books will showcase aircraft flown during World War II by the United States, Russia, Britain, and her Commonwealth partners. Aircraft from the European, Russian, Mediterranean and North African Theaters are included throughout.
A broad spectrum of World War II Allied aircraft is presented, from fighters, fighter-bombers, medium and heavy bombers. More specifically in this initial volume:
P-38 Lightning
P-47 Thunderbolt
P-51 Mustang
I-16 Rata
LaGG-3
MiG-3
Yak-3
Hawker Hurricane
Supermarine Spitfire
Hawker Typhoon and Tempest
de Havilland Mosquito
A-20 Havoc
B-25 Mitchell
A-26 Invader
B-26 Marauder
Tupolev SB-2
Ilyushin DB-3
B-17 Flying Fortress
B-24 Liberator
Handley Page Halifax
At the close of each book, there will be a brief section titled, “A Closer Look”. The author will provide a focused look at aircraft types, campaigns, squadrons, or groups from World War II that may be of interest to the reader. In the first release, photographs of B-24s of the famed Ploesti Raid (Operation Tidal Wave) of 1 August 1943, are included.
The book consists of 64 photos of Allied Aircraft from the European Air War sourced from the author’s private collection. All are original without computer enhanced imagery or colorization. Most are unpublished and presented here for the first time. A few select contributors have generously provided photos from their private collections. Each photo is supported with detailed captions.
James Bentley continues his association with Eagle Editions Ltd. LLC and the author. He has created Allied aircraft profiles for the EagleCals decal line in the past. This is the first time we have seen his profiles of Allied aircraft in book form. Eight color profiles are included based on cross-referenced photos in the book, supported by additional references when necessary. This results in some very accurate, well researched color profiles of Allied aircraft.
