This new French Language publication is by the Editors of the monthly magazine Avions and is an extremely high quality book, as one would expect from this publisher. A detailed history of the early years of the Caudron brothers and their aircraft is particularly fascinating for its multitude of black and white photos, most of which were quite new to me. The first chapters cover the individual models of the A to O series. A separate chapter deals with the G models (G.II G.III and G.IV) built in quantity during the 1914-18 War, and another covers the later 3-seater 'fuselage' machines of the R series used until the end of that war. Further chapters carry the story forward until 1932. No doubt a second volume continuation is in preparation.

Do you know how to tell a G.III from a G.II? Nor did I and it is not a matter of the engine or the elevators either. There are actually two extra wing-ribs in the top plane of the G.III (42) compared with the G.II (40).

The little Caudron G.III was a particularly widely used machine, at first on general reconnaissance duties and artillery spotting, but later relegated to training because of its reliability and ease of piloting. The majority of well known French pilots flew this aircraft during their training and something over 5000 were built. It was purchased by many countries, including Britain, and some were built here. After the War, the same qualities led to wide use of the type in aero clubs and by private owners. Some still survive - examples are in the RAF Museum Hendon and the Musée de l'Air Le Bourget, whilst a flying replica is in the Jean Salis Collection at La Ferté Alais. The twin engined G.IV (the first twin engined machine in service anywhere) was in its heyday of 1915-16 the fastest machine on the Western Front. It was widely used as a bomber and also by the squadrons of the Paris Garrison as a night-fighter, defending the capital against Zeppelin attack. The R series were in effect, the same aircraft fitted with a fuselage rather than the open boom tail, and acted both as reconnaissance-bombers and escort fighters.