GRAPHIC WAR
The Secret Aviation Drawings and Illustrations of World War II

by Donald Nijboer

Boston Mills Press

Reviewed by Al Bowie

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Every now and then a book not dedicated to my primary interests will catch my fancy and find its way into the library. This book is such a title and one I could not resist as it is packed with the most amazing examples of the illustrators art dedicated to wartime subjects.

Donald Nijboer has compiled a fantastic collection of wartime illustrations of Germany, the USA, USSR and Great Britain and presented them along with a fascinating history of the wartime illustrator’s role. The majority of illustrations were originally marked “Restricted – Official Use only” and have not previously been published outside of service use. These are from user manuals, instructional posters and pamphlets and large cutaway intelligence assessment drawings used to train aircrew and ground crews.

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The book is presented on high quality paper and the image reproduction equals this quality. The book is a testament to the excellent work that was the art community’s contribution to the war effort. Before the age of Computers large production companies had pools of excellent draughtsmen, artists and illustrators to compile the diagrams, plans, illustrations and charts to support their product. Look at some of these amazing works packed with detail and it is easy to forget what a major undertaking these must have been using pen & ink, watercolours, pencils and even crayons.

I studied art and technical drawing throughout my school years and seriously thought of becoming a draughtsman / Illustrator and this book has reminded me of how inspiring such works were to me with many safety and instructional posters appearing in similar styles in schools and the workplace in the 50’s and 60’s. The author has carefully selected a broad canvas of amazing and diverse subjects to fill this book and define the differing styles employed by the various nations. Literally hundreds of illustrations grace its pages

The book follows a simple layout and is divided into the following Chapters:

• Introduction “In a war so destructive, so much was created”

• Chap 1 - The Sword and Pen.

• Chap 2 – Today is not a Jo

• Chapter 3 -Lessons Learnt – into the Fire

• Chapter 4 – Image Collections

• Great Britain 122 pages

• Germany 38 pages

• USA 44 pages
  

• USSR 15 pages

• Acknowledgements

• Bibliography

• Photo Credits

• Index

The Author has featured the work of British Artist Peter Endsleigh Castle and a large majority of the book covers his amazing portfolio of work with the RAF’s 1426 Flight (Enemy Aircraft Evaluation Unit).
The artwork contains Cutaways of major WW2 Aircraft and it is interesting to see the different approaches taken by the various nations’ artists of the same subjects. Not all the illustrations are of Aircraft however and many cutaways of engines, functional schematics, exploded diagrams of Turrets, Machine guns etc are included throughout.

This is an amazing collection reproduced to the highest standards and I would recommend this for anyone with an interest in Aviation, Modellers, Budding Illustrators, Artists and aviation enthusiasts. Modellers in particular will find it very useful for all the detail drawings contained within. It is a magnificent collection and one I shall treasure alongsides the likes of Robert Taylor, Roy Cross etc.

Highly Recommended

Review Sample supplied by Firefly Books

Text Copyright © 2010 by Al Bowie
Page Created 14 April, 2010
Last Updated 14 April, 2010

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