(various authors; ISBN 978-0-9555734-2-2; Cross & Cockade International in collaboration with the RAF Museum, The Sales Manager, Cross & Cockade International, “Woodlea”, Tattershall Road, Woodhall Spa, LN10 6TP; 8¼in x 11¾in softback; 176 pages, illustrated; £25.00 plus £5 p&p in the UK)

A “combined operation” by the RAF Museum & Cross and Cockade International, this handsome monograph was published to coincide with the unveiling of the museum’s Sopwith 5F.1 Dolphin at Hendon on March 16. Incorporating contributions from several authors, including Peter Dye, director general of the RAF Museum (and also expanded material from the Database feature in the February 2001 issue of Aeroplane), it provides comprehensive textural and pictorial coverage of this late-First World War multi-gun fighter.

Every aspect of the Dolphin is subjected to scrutiny: its design, development and construction, its flying qualities, its service at home and abroad, and the problems with its Hispano-Suiza engine. Units and serial numbers, and colours and markings are also well covered, and enhanced by seven pages of full-colour side elevations and eight pages of colour photographs depicting the restoration process. In addition to the outstanding collection of black-and-white photographs spread throughout the book, ranging from intimate structural and technical detail images to studies of Dolphins in service and their pilots, there are general-arrangement drawings, graphs and tabulated data. As a nice finishing touch the outside and inside front and back covers are adorned with reproductions of paintings depicting Dolphins in flight. This is a monograph not to be missed.

PHILIP JARRETT

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