In Southern Skies: A Pictorial History of Early Aviation in Southern Africa 1816-1940 by John William Illsley
In Southern Skies: A Pictorial History of Early Aviation in Southern Africa 1816-1940 by John William Illsley
Hardcover: ISBN 9781868421688 / 1868421686
Publisher: Jonathan Ball Publishers SA, 2003 First edition.
Big book: Hight 40 cm/ Wide 24 cm, 2.2 kg.
Condition: Very Good+to near fine. This book is in an excellent condition. The DJ has only some very slight signs of wear and the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains perfect. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. The book is protected with a Cellophane cover.
Over 800 photographs acompany a text that too 15 years to research. Aviation history in Southern Africa from its beginnings to 1940.
2003 marked the centenary of flight in South Africa and John Illsley has compiled a pictorial history of early flight in this country, from its humble beginnings to the aeroplanes that were used at the beginning of World War I. Each chapter has an introductory article, to set the scene for its subject, and the rest of the chapter is made up of pictures with comprehensive explanatory captions. Among of the topics featured are: First flights on man-made wings; Siege balloons in two colonial wars; Balloons on imperial service; Box kites; The first aeroplanes; South Africa's first true aviator; The brief genesis of South African military aviation; South Africans on the Western Front; First to the Cape and back; An airline for the Union; Aviatrixes; War planes; Air shows; Air races; Aviation history in envelopes and stamps.
