Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik / Eigenschaften / Leistung / Stückzahlen / Bewährung.

[edwest2]

Jukka,


There is no indication of the author's skill level as far as formatting and publishing are concerned. I have worked in book publishing for 40+ years and some authors, not referring to this one, think they can lay out a book, choose a font, etc. Most can't. They don't have the knowledge or experience.


This book will not see print in English in my view. An accurate translation is a must, or reviews will immediately appear like: "A poor translation. Get the original."


Personally, I would buy this book even if it was printed on newsprint as long as all of the details and references were accurate. But I have a long list of other books I need to buy first. And I doubt any money would be left over for this one.

[Jukka Juutinen]

Originally Posted by Dénes Bernád

Jukka, this is a self-published book; I understood the author paid the full cost. If so, it's his right to use the font size/type and layout he wanted. To me, the text and photos are primordial, not the layout (even though it could be optimised, I agree).

You are missing the point. Nobody is denying his right to saw off his left leg, but the wisdom of such an act may well be questioned. Since there are indications from multiple sources that the cost of printing paper has increased significantly lately, it is pretty obvious that it isn't in the self-interest of the publisher to make decisions that would increase his costs without a corresponding benefit.

And that issue isn't the primary point. Even here many have oohaahed that page count alone without a more nuanced analysis. I have a massive book on submarine diesels. It has some 750 pages in 8.5" x 11" format. Yet, it has substantially less text than the much thinner Fw 200 book by Chris Goss.

[Kurfürst]

Originally Posted by edwest2

Personally, I would buy this book even if it was printed on newsprint as long as all of the details and references were accurate. But I have a long list of other books I need to buy first. And I doubt any money would be left over for this one.

That would be a poor decision in my opinion, if you are interested in the subject. You could buy 10 other books and not get 10% of the information this one has on Me 109 technical development.

[richdlc]

Originally Posted by Jukka Juutinen

Contact not received by him or he didn't respond?

He didn't respond. Pretty sure I got the right guy. I rang his old office and spoke to his secretary. Maybe one day he'll change his mind and contact me...

[richdlc]

Just trying to resurrect this - still trying to get the gentleman's contact details. If anyone knows him and can help, please contact me

Regards
Rich

[schwarze-man]

For some reason this book fell off my radar and I have only just bought it.
What a book! This is a particular type of book about the Bf 109 aircraft and its engines. There are no photographs of the aircraft, only a single photo of a tropical air filter and about 15 pages of diagrams and pictures from some manuals at the end of the book! But where this book hits hard is with the technical detail and comprehensive referencing of the source data, the referencing takes up about 25% of the page space by my guess.
I specialise in the technical detail of the DB engines, and here this book is a revelation. Excellent explanation is given on the progress of engine development, particularly on the later developments where clarity has been totally lacking in the past. I have a very comprehensive collection of original DB 605 documentation, but this book puts all of it into a coherent focus. Many previous theories about the later DB 605 engine are totally de-bunked by this book.
But this is not a book of nuts and bolts, it is a book of what choices were made and what was built.
So, do not buy this book if you want pictures or a story in prose.
Thank-You Michael Baumgartl for this book of facts and cross references to primary source documents that none of us can ever research ourselves!
This book will precipitate many revisions as the information in it filters out!
I would advise anyone with a serious interest in the Bf 109 and/or the DB engines to buy this book. It seems to need purchase through specialist suppliers. I bought my new copy through Berliner Zinnfiguren online for £70 inc postage to UK.

Schwarze-man

[schwarze-man]

Originally Posted by Kurfürst

That would be a poor decision in my opinion, if you are interested in the subject. You could buy 10 other books and not get 10% of the information this one has on Me 109 technical development.

Apologies for my late comment, but having just got this book, I can agree that Kurfürst is absolutely correct!
This book completely defines the technical progress of the DB 605 engines, for this alone, the book is ground-breaking and worth far more than the asking price, IMO. However, do not buy this book for photographs or an attractive story, it is 100% information.

SM

[schwarze-man]

Just a quick point about Michael Baumgartls' great book. There is some confusion about the Bf 109 F propellers in the book on pages 294/295. If Michael would wish to send a message to me on here, I can help him with the detail that he needs!

SM

[Steve Coates]

SM

If you send me a PM with the detail and your contact inormation, I can get this on to Michael.

Steve Coates

[schwarze-man]

Hi Steve,
Thanks for your offer. I will send you a PM.

SM