Acknowledging the difference between restoring an antique airplane for display purposes and making it flyable is the essence of Yagen’s legacy—he believes these warbirds “cannot be fully appreciated unless you see them where they belong: in the air.” This is a privilege he offers readers, alongside an extensive photograph collection of each airplane both on the ground and in flight. With an eye for accuracy, Yagen also details the specs of each aircraft and their individual careers, from original manufacturing to post-war use. One such plane, the Supermarine Spitfire MK IXE, fought in 100 combat missions and later served as an attraction in a children’s playground before Yagen added it to his inventory.

Through Yagen’s intriguing accounts, readers gain a cockpit perspective of history. This is the locus of Yagen’s passion: to him, these warbirds are “more than just metal, fabric, and wood. They are time machines that provide a tangible link” to such a pivotal time in the twentieth century. Aviation enthusiasts, WWI and WWII history buffs, and lovers of airplane restoration will delight in this catalog, as visually stimulating as it is rich in detail about the history, mechanics, and reconstruction of these legendary aircraft. Yagen’s expensive, arduous pursuit in bringing “these historic warbirds back to life” comes alive in these pages and gives readers a chance to imagine flying like “an ace of aces, Prince of the Skies.”

Takeaway: A passionate chronicle of restoring vintage warplanes to flyable condition, with vivid photographs.

Great for fans of: Nicholas A. Veronico’s Hidden Warbirds, and David Mondey’s British Aircraft of World War II.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-