WW1 AVIATION BOOK ‘WARBIRDS’ OWNED BY A OFFICER OF 85 SQUADRON WITH MANY ADDITIONAL ORIGINAL PHOTOS OF 85 SQUADRON, INCLUDING ACES SUCH AS MANNOCK, BISHOP AND OTHERS, CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONAL NOTES ADDED

'War Birds: Diary of an Unknown Aviator' by John McGavock Grider was published by John Hamilton in 1933 and was the story of an American pilot who served with the elite 85 Squadron on the western front in 1918 flying SE5a's.

This particular copy was owned by Lieutenant Horace F Fulford (later Wing Commander) armaments Officer of 85 squadron, who trained and served with the author during the war. Both Fulford and John McGavock Grider served under the three highest scoring aces of the war, Billy Bishop, Mick Mannock and James McCudden.

The book itself is full of photographs from Lieutenant Fulford’s collection, which have been fixed into the book. These include photos of Mick Mannock, Billy Bishop and other aces. Fulford also added numerous notes and corrections to the book. Details of the published version of Fulford’s book can be found here:

https://airscapemag.com/2017/05/19/ww1-warbirds/

https://www.markhillier.net/warbirds.php

A brief description off the added photos etc:

1) Fulford has written a list of 'Original Members of 85 Squadron ‘as far as can be remembered’………………..

SEE PDF FOR FULL WRITEUP

Condition; the book is well used, binding poor but complete. All the photographs are either laid in or stuck down. The two cards are stuck down and menu is folded and opens up. Fullford's annotations appear throughout the book. The spine of the book has been decorated by Fulford with 'War Birds, 85 Sqdn'. The photographs and ephemera are stuck in on blank pages without obscuring text or illustrations.

The book is the 1933 edition and is a personal diary and memorandum of Lt. Fulford's time in the squadron. Sold with a copy of ‘Warbirds, the published copy of Fulford’s book.

A really fascinating and rare archive.