While excavating that ancient bookstore basement I’ve mentioned so often, I came across two slim (64 pg.) 9x11 softbound books called “The Best of Wylam” vols 1 and 2. They are nothing but very detailed, factory-type plans for a/c, all kinds of recip engines from rotary to Allisons, and even bombs, all covering subjects from WW 1, Between-the Wars, and WW II. They have copyright dates registered to Model Airplane News that end at 1956, but I’m guessing these books are from early 60s, based on material that was with them in the box. Are there more volumes in this series? The plans have been very helpful on that cursed F3F (I’ve made it into my curse, but in fact, a wonderful kit) because in addition to details of instrument panels and consoles, they have detailed color callouts. The scales vary, from small, to most common scale model sizes, but they blow up nicely. I always prefer to use old reference material where I can because, obviously, it’s not so distant from the real thing, and done where people with memories of the real thing could be consulted. I have an extra copy of Vol. 2 (free to first caller) which begins with plans for Wright Flyers A and B (excellent engine detail drawings), Spad VII, Curtiss P-6 and Hawk IIIC, Lockheed Between-the-wars planes, P-40D and ending with ME-109J (!?, what is this? It looks more like a C or D). Oh, and WW I bombs. Wish I could find this kind of plans for my area of interest and most academic knowledge, jets from 1945 to 1965. Please illuminate me if there is more of these things to be had. Maybe it’s common and I just don’t know it. Thanks for indulging another of my trademark overly-long postings.
Tom
Sorry, just vol#1 & #2 of Wylam specific as far as I know.
However, there is another series “Scale Aircraft Drawings” by Peter M Bowers which is also MAN plans & includes Willis Nye & others, incl Wylam. There is a Vol I (WW1) & a Vol 2 (WW2).
I had most of the originals out of MAN but they got lost in a move long ago.
Sharkskin, would I be the first caller? I am interested in the between the wars planes AND the P-40. And I could promise it would have a good home. e-mail me and let me know.
Yeah, I have the WW II Scale Aircraft Drawings. Lost my WW I volume and wish I could replace it. These are thinner versions of this, and the plans in Wylam books seem to devote more pages to each a/c. Also, they have all those engine plans in, I believe 1/12 or 1/16 scale, which is really a godsend for detailing a rotary Clerget rotary engine or various Wasp varients. Not to mention the old-fashioned bombs, Wylam includes. It would be worth a scale modeler’s while to see if MAN still prints these books. Mine list a price of $2.00, though they’re probably $12.00 by now.
there areat least 4 wylam plan books. 1 thru 4. many plans have slight inaccuracies due to ww2 and post war censoring. even so they are useful especially when i built AM f3f-1 there are aircraft and engine layouts that are superb.
“Bring out your dead…bring out your dead”
“I’m not dead yet”
“Yes you are!”
NMFPOT Syndrome has struck again… [:D]