Aviation FORUM
Opinions on the Aviation Duels?
Burdokva
Well, I just finished reading "Duel 16 - Seafire vs A6M Zero" by Donald Nijboer, and I reccomend it.
Compared to "Duel 1 - P-51 Mustang vs Focke-Wulf 190" , which wasn't a bad title at all, I think Duel 16 has rectified all the problems - Nijboear does a better job of giving equal space and analysis to both sides (Duel 1 was somewhat Mustang-centric), there weren't spelling mistakes and the book reviews quite an interesting topic. It's a bit thin on the "Combat " chapter, but that isn't a fault of the author, but a consequence of the rather short contests between the Seafire and the Zero. Art was aain spot on, as well as printing (I had a couple of printing errors on the color profiles in Duel 1).
I'm very impressed by the series so far, and they have improved. I'm thinking of getting Duel 8, would anyone share thought on the title?
Lastly, I'm hoping Osprey will continue the more-obscure aviation (and other) Duels after completing the "mandatory" titles.
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RESPONSES
| MarkL |
1
I initially steered clear of the Duel series, mostly due to financial constraints. (Too many Osprey titles to buy, not a bad problem to have) but picked up Duel 16 after looking through it in a local bookstore. I agree the series is going from strength to strength and I've gone back to purchase the early titles. I'm looking forward to Fw-200 Condor vs Atlantic Convoys: 1941-43 (Mar 2010) and P-38 Lightning vs Ki-61 Tony: New Guinea 1942-43 (Mar 2010) and in a non-aviation vein USN Cruiser vs IJN Cruiser: Guadacanal 1942 . I would recommend Duel 8 and I look forward to more titles. My obscure choice: Heinkel He 219 Uhu vs either Avro Lancaster or De Havilland Mosquito.
Posted: 25-Aug-2009 13:46
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| Osprey Editor |
2
Hello, thank you for your compliments on the DUEL series. We are very happy with the series and are working on lots of exciting titles to be released over the next couple of years!
Posted: 25-Aug-2009 15:45
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| AdamC |
3
I would certainly recommend Duel 8 as a very good read. It’s a classic Broadsword Vs Rapier clash between the chunky, heavily armed, thick skinned P-40 and the light, nimble but fragile Oscar. I’ll not spoil the conclusion but its well worth a read. The only minor criticism id have is that its possibly a little P-40 centric but the author not only acknowledges this but fully explains his (quite valid) reasons for it! As for suggestions on other aviation Duels how about an obvious one covering the F-86 Vs MiG 15 in Korea (surely its only a matter of time for that one, lol!) or for a more obscure title how about F-15 Vs MiG 23 – Lebanon 1982 (at least 20 Syrian MiG 23s fell to Israeli F-15s).
Posted: 26-Aug-2009 13:39
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| okin |
4
Although having great expectation from this series I am highly dissapointed by it. As a regular buyer of AoA ,Co.Air and Elite series I expected the series to be a natural follow on to the before mentioned. By that I mean micro aspect of aerial combat like titles suggest. Rather than that almost two thirds or even more is covered by general info about plane and theatre of war which today can be found for lot less on the internet, not to mention in other Osprey books. Picture selection is also bad-at least two thirds coming from before published books. All in all these titles have great potential but there needs to be a reverse in policy-they need to be folow on to your acclaimed aviation series not entry level books. Please do something about it.
P.S. I am buying all of your aviation related books and enjoying them very much, but I bought only one Duel title at least for now-better quality is needed.
Posted: 27-Aug-2009 13:28
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| AncientWargamer |
5
I would like to see more weird and wacky match ups, like Boulton paul defiant V Bf110 or Stuka over Dunkirk, or maybe Fw200 Condor V Catalina, over the Atlantic.
I use to read and love the "commando" comic books when I was a kid and they use to have these match ups to spark interest, not sure if they were factual?
AW.
Posted: 30-Aug-2009 13:36
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| Kate |
6
Just to let you know that we will be publishing a Duel title on the Condor - Fw-200 Condor vs Atlantic Convoys will publish in March 2010.
Posted: 01-Sep-2009 09:05
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| FalkeEins |
7
awaiting with interest the Sturmbock vs B17 title as this will be the second Duel book to have featured the Fw 190. Duel 1 was very short on pilot accounts from the German side. My suggestion, P-51 vs Me 262
I also note with interest the new discounts available on pre-orders. I have to admit that I very rarely buy full-price Ospreys since they are simply far too expensive for what you get - £14 for 80 pages is frankly ridiculous. If there's a title I want I usually go through Amazon or an amazon re-seller. You appear to have finally woken-up to some comments that have been made on various forums for some time now about your prices. long may it continue!
cheers
Posted: 03-Sep-2009 14:55
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| baldyman |
8
I've enjoyed the "Duels" very much - good art, interesting content. How about a "homage" to the famous "Airfix Dogfight- Doubles kits" of my youth - a book on the Roland CII vs R.E8 would be a bit differant - neither aircraft being covered in any other Osprey tiltle and some of us could wallow in a bit of nostalgia (and it won't be a heady mixture of paint and glue fumes :)!!
Posted: 08-Oct-2009 12:20
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| CWyatt |
9
As we have a title on Seafire v Zero, why not bring things into the modern age with another short contest Fleet Air Arm action and Sea Harrier v IAI Dagger?
Posted: 13-Nov-2009 08:25
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