This is promised to be the first of a series covering the whole country geographically. It is the kind of book I really like - well written, informative and copiously illustrated with pictures, posters and advertisements. After a long and very good essay on the evolution of the British Aircraft Industry, the main part of the book details all the manufacturers in London by area alphabetically, from Abbey Wood to Willesden. It is a pleasure to dip into the book even at random. For example, Martin & Handasyde carried out initial (unsuccessful) experiments with a monoplane that was built in 1908 at the Old Welsh Harp public house at Hendon. Most of us have had evenings in pubs like that. And in the same area, Major J.C. Savage converted no less than twenty nine SE5as for sky-writing, many being sold abroad, notably to the USA and Germany. There is a picture of one of them, too. It also has lots of lists, and a comprehensive Index and Bibliography.

I can't wait for the remainder of the series.