Books and Documentation
Workshop Practice For Building and Repairing Wooden Gliders and Sailplanes
Workshop Practice, the VSA’s English Translation of the 1930’s German classic, Werkstattpraxis für den Bau von Gleit-und Segelflugzeugen by Hans Jacobs and Herbert Lück, is available Again
The first printing (in 2016) of Workshop Practice was sold out after a year and a half and its continued demand inspired VSA to publish a second printing. This revised printing features an expanded addendum with more information on plywood types and standards, and especially the reasons for selecting particular grades. If you already own the 2016 version and would like this information on plywood you can download this PDF.
Additional minor clarifications to Chapter VII make the revised printing easier to use by people wanting a clear understanding of how the old planes were built and repaired. Workshop Practice is also a useful reference on how to build many styles of vintage airplanes as well as gliders. A new green cover color helps differentiate the new book from its earlier (2016) printing.
VSA sells the book in the US at $49.00 USD plus $7.00 domestic surface shipping (and correspondingly more for other destinations). It is also sold by Cumulus-Soaring (priced in US dollars). Please note that international postage must be added whenever necessary.
To order from VSA, please just use the shopping cart below:
Flight Not Improbable: Octave Chanute and the Worldwide Race Toward Flight
Author: Simine Short
This book on Octave Chanute is a must-read for all those interested in the evolution of airplanes. Its protagonist, Octave Chanute, is best known for his scientific and collaborative approach to the engineering problems related to the development of flight and for the support he gave to the many aeronautical pioneers, including the Wright Brothers. Almost every famous and not so famous aeronautical enthusiast contacted him and used the readily available drawings of his glider to build and then learn to fly in their own design. Chanute’s biplane glider design proved to be a key step in the evolution of the flying machine. This book focuses on Chanute’s work in aeronautics. Not having the internet of today, he became the “post-box of early aeronautics,” not only because of his landmark book “Progress in Flying Machines” but also because of his strong connections to anyone and everyone who worked in the aeronautical field. The book is available as an e-book or in hard copy from the publisher or your favorite bookstore.
SOARING BOOKS FOR SALE
Complete set of Martin Simons Sailplanes Books. “Sailplanes 1920-1945,” “Sailplanes 1945-1965,” and “Sailplanes 1965-2000.” All in great condition. Price: $200 (includes US shipping). Contact Bruce Patton at pattoninfl@aol.com or (813)892-7134.
I have a collection of more than 120 vintage soaring books for sale. E-mail for my list at burtcompton@aol.com. Authors include Robert Kronfeld, Wolf Hirth, Derek Piggott, Phillip Wills, Ann Welch, several rare, translated German books, British books and US authors, 1930’s to 1990’s. Some are rare and a few are autographed. Many with sleeves.
Every SOARING magazine since the first issue with many duplicates. Rare books by Charles Lindbergh including an autographed first edition of “WE.” Located dry and high (5,000′ msl) at Marfa Gliders Soaring Center, southwest Texas.
Hans Jacobs – Pionierleben im Flugzeugbau (Pioneer Life in Aircraft Construction) – Volumes 1 and 2 (2 book set)
Author: Peter Ocker
Hans Jacobs was a famous German sailplane designer from the early days of glider development. He designed many of the classic sailplanes which stand-out in history – such as: Rhönadler, Rhönbussard, Rhönsperber, Sperber, Sperber Junior, Sperber Senior, Seeadler, Kranich, Kranich II, Habicht, DFS 230, Reiher III, Weihe, Meise (Olympia). This fantastic two-book set covers his life and design work. On the books’ 648 pages you will find 557 great black and white photos. Although the book is written in the German language, Photo captions for every photo are provided in English in the included printed documents. The photos and captions give a good overview of Hans’ life and design achievements. These books will be enjoyed by anyone interested in vintage sailplanes. Details and images from the books are available at: https://www.peterocker.de/english/
Vintage Sailplane Magazines and Books.
Over 200 books on soaring in English, German and French. Magazines include West Wind, Sailplane & Glider, VGC News, Bungee Cord, Aerokurier, Flugsport, etc. Please contact Hans Disma at Disma@online.nl.
Quest for Flight: John J. Montgomery and the Dawn of Aviation in the West (2012) by Craig S. Harwood and Gary B. Fogel.
An extensively researched biography of John J. Montgomery and his efforts in aerodynamics and aviation in the 1880s through 1911. As a scientist researching the laws of flight, Montgomery invented basic methods of aircraft control and stability, refined his theories in aerodynamics over decades of research, and brought widespread attention to aviation by staging public demonstrations of his gliders. After his first flights near San Diego in the 1880s, his pursuit continued through a series of glider designs. These experiments culminated in 1905 with controlled flights in Northern California using tandem-wing Montgomery gliders launched from balloons. These flights reached the highest altitudes yet attained by man, and helped change society’s attitude toward what was considered ‘the impossible art’ of aerial navigation. Additional information is available at the publishers website . The book is also available on Amazon.com or via Barnes and Noble.
Locomotive to Aeromotive. Octave Chanute and the Transportation Revolution (2011), by Simine Short.
The first in-depth look at an influential engineer and soaring pioneer. French-born and self-trained civil engineer Octave Chanute designed America’s two largest stockyards, created innovative and influential structures such as the Kansas City Bridge over the previously “unbridgeable” Missouri River, and was a passionate aviation pioneer and experimenter whose collaborative approach to aeronautical engineering problems encouraged others, including the Wright brothers. His successful gliders of 1896 and 1897 influenced glider flight and design for decades. Additional information is available at the publisher’s website. The book is also available through amazon.com or abebooks.com.
Classified Advertisements are provided free to VSA members. Vintage Sailplane related items only. To list your ad contact Jim Short at sailplane121@gmail.com.