Magazine Review: Cross & Cockade International (CCI)

Cross & Cockade International (CCI) is another name for the First World War Aviation Historical Society. We research and publish information on all aspects of the First World War in the air, 1914 - 1918. Best known for the high quality journal, produced quarterly, which contains articles written by members, the society researches and publishes information on all aspects of the First World War in the air, 1914 - 1918.

Cross & Cockade GB was formed in 1970 as the British arm of Cross & Cockade in the USA, which was formed in 1960. We changed our name to Cross & Cockade International when the US society folded in 1986 (to be "replaced" by the League of WWI Aviation Historians). Comprising over 1,000 members in 25+ countries all over the world, CCI is a registered UK charity (number 1117741). All trustees, officers of the society, and contributors to the journal give their services voluntarily.

Membership in the society is pricey (£28 membership + £12 S/H Airmail to USA... $54 for all us Yanks), but it comes with this excellent quarterly journal... one I recommend without reservation.

If interested, you may find more info here: https://www.crossandcockade.com/

Details of the most recent volume will follow below...

Spring 2017 Volume 48/1

80 pages in length, 132 b/w period photos, 1 color modern photo, 3 line drawings, 7 maps, 6 illustrations, and 3 color aircraft plates.

• Late War Trio, by Colin Owers tells the story of the Sopwith 3F2 Hippo, Sopwith 2FR2 Bulldog, and Sopwith Buffalo. The rotary-powered two-seat Hippo was designed in early 1917 with the view of obtaining French orders. Another rotary-powered two-seater, the 2FR2 was proposed as a fighter-reconnaissance aircraft following the development of the Hippo. The Buffalo was to be a Contact Patrol machine based on the Bulldog... similarly to the development of the TF1 (derived from the Camel) and the TF2 Salamander (derived from the Snipe).
• The "Jewish Pilot" who bombed Be'er-Sheva, by Elimor Makevet is a fascinating study of a single air raid on the night of 14-15 January 1917 as viewed from multiple perspectives. A re-examination of first-hand accounts in relation to sources and databases available to modern researchers has permitted a more complete and detailed historical record and an examination of the lives of those airmen involved.
• Lieutenant Colonel C.J. Burke DSO: Flying Corps Heavyweight, by Paul Hare details the service of one of the RFC's first flying officers (aviator's certificate No.260) and squadron and wing commanders, rising to commander the Central Flying School at Upavon Aerodrome.
• Captured German Aircraft, Part One, compiled by Paul Leaman is a detailed list of captured aircraft including (when possible) engine details, armament, propellers (composition & serial), wheel tyres, and anything else mentioned in original paperwork. The article begins with two official memoranda detailing the procedures related to captured hostile aircraft (from 1915 and 1917).
• Castellorizo, and the Loss of HMS Ben-my-Chree, by Ian Burns and Gunter Hartnagel is a re-examination circumstances surrounding the sinking of the British seaplane carrier on 9 Jan 1917 using German, Turkish, French, and British accounts.
• Logbook: Heydemarck Feedback, compiled by David Barnes provides an interesting photo essay relating to 17 Kite Balloon Section and the death of von Eschwege.

The journal concludes with Fabric: Queries and Feedback compiled by Mick Davis and Bookshelf, consisting of 14 reviews of current monographs and periodicals.

CCI - Vol 48/1 - Spring 2017 (Front & Rear Covers)

https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/at...3&d=1514909085

https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/at...2&d=1514909085

Cheers Chris. Already subscribe and really enjoy the magazine. A little pricey, as you say, but well worth it from my point of view. Membership also gives access to some other useful publications e.g "Wings Over Mesopotamia - Air War in Iraq 1914-1918 by Mark Lax, Mike O'Connor and Ray Vann. And one of my Xmas presents was the latest Calendar with 12 beautiful WWI Aircraft illustrations.

Attachment 238689 Attachment 238690

Summer 2017 Volume 48/2

160 pages in length, 182 b/w period photos, 5 line drawings/sketches, 5 document facsimiles, 1 map, and 7 color aircraft plates.

• Captured German Aircraft, Part Two, compiled by Paul Leaman is a far more extensive and lavishly-illustrated list of captured aircraft than provided in the first installment. Introduced are the “G” numbers allocated to captured German aircraft. Covers aircraft from November 1916 through December 1917. When possible, TNA file details and information on camouflage and markings are provided for each machine.
• The RFC & RAF Use of the Klaxon During World War One, by Mike Meech is an interesting study of the ways in which the Klaxon was used in the First World War. Ranging from its primary use during “Contact Patrols” to its use by night-flying aircraft, the Klaxon was used as a means of communication from the earliest days of the war through 1926.
• No Way Out: 2Lts C.A. Crysler & V.R. Pauline, 23 Squadron, by Stewart K. Taylor details the (limited) training and (short) service of two Canadian officers flying SPADs and Dolphins in the RFC/RAF in late 1917 and early 1918.
• The SPAD XIII with the RFC/RAF, compiled by Mick Davis is a detailed list of the serials and fates of all 59 British-flown SPAD X.IIIs.
• Early Aviation in the Rising Sun, by David Méchin details the growth of aviation in Japan from balloons and dirigibles, through its involvement in the First World War (including ten samurai in French service), and into the post-war years. Information about planes, pilots, and doctrine is included.
• The RAF in Northern Russia by Air Commodore Phil Wilkinson is a fascinating account of the complex challenges faced by the Royal Air Force (and other Allied forces) during its intervention into the affairs of post-Revolutionary Russia.

The journal concludes with Logbook: 13 RS/TS Unit Markings, a photo essay compiled by Mick Davis, Queries and Feedback compiled by Mick Davis, and Bookshelf, consisting of 15 reviews of current monographs and periodicals. New to this issue is the first Modelling section, in this case a review of Valom’s Fokker E.III Eindecker double kit in 1/144 scale.

CCI - Vol 48/1 - Spring 2017 (Front & Rear Covers)

https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/at...1&d=1514909085

https://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/at...0&d=1514909085

Re my post above. Going through the Calendar this evening, sad to say, I identified quite a large number of errors, the first of which is obvious from my photo (not spotted until today). So be warned. The illustrations are great and so it is possibly worth buying for them, but there are errors throughout, with the numbering of dates :( I have advised the publishers.