Shamelessly copied from another forum...
General books on French aircraft, by period
Notice the conspicuous need for a general book on the 1918-1940 period.
Books on French aircraft manufacturers
Biographies of aircraft pioneers are normally not included here, though some may include technical details of their aircraft production.
Books on a class of French aircraft, by theme
Books listed here should have near exhaustive coverage of a given theme.
Books on specific families of French aircraft
Some of the books above actually cover a single aircraft family (e.g. Leduc or Snecma VTOL). I don't want to list all monographs on French aircraft, but maybe I should include some works of special interest to the forum members. Thoughts and suggestions are welcome.
Books on French prototypes and flight tests
These books are about prototype development and flight testing. They may not describe unbuilt projects, but should be of interest to the forum members.
Books on French aircraft engines and accessories, by period or manufacturer
Books on the French rocket industry
General books on French aircraft, by period
- before 1914 French aeroplanes before the Great War, by Leonard Opdycke, Schiffer, 1999, ISBN 0764307525
not seen, read at least one good review - 1914-1918 French Aircraft of the First World War, by James Davila & Arthur Soltan, Flying Machines Press, first edition in 1997, ISBN 0963711040, second edition in 2002, ISBN 1891268090
not seen, read mixed reviews - 1919-1945 "Les constructeurs français 1919-1945", series of articles by Charles Claveau in Le Trait d'Union, started in no.126 with some gaps, companies are treated in alphabetical order, now at letter M, see Le Trait d'Union website
excellent, it would be great if the series was published as a book one day - 1890-1967 Répertoire des aéronefs de construction française pour la période de 1890 à 1967, by André Achard & Jack Tribot-Laspierre, Centre de Documentation de l'Armement, special issue of Doc Air Espace, May 1968
mentioned at Aeroflight, never seen, extremely hard to find outside a few libraries, not sure if really interesting, information welcome - 1907-1982 L'industrie aéronautique et spatiale française 1907-1982, three volumes, edited by Jean Soissons, GIFAS, 1984, ISBN 2905376007
not seen, highly praised, two volumes out of three are on the postwar period - 1940-1980 Histoire de l'aéronautique française, by Jacques Noetinger, France-Empire
- vol.1: L'épopée 1940-1960, France-Empire, 1978
- vol.2: Hommes et événements 1940-1980, France-Empire, 1983
- vol.3: L'essor 1960-1980, France-Empire, 1984
- supplemental volume: Annexe, photos avions, corrections 1940-1980, France-Empire
- 1944-1964 Les avions français de 1944 à 1964, by Pierre Gaillard, EPA, 1990, ISBN 2851203509
exhaustive coverage of aircraft actually built, no projects, no three views, not deep on each model but good general reference - 1965-1990 Les avions français de 1965 à 1990, by Pierre Gaillard, EPA, 1995, ISBN 2851203924
same as companion volume above, contains addenda on the 1944-1964 period
Notice the conspicuous need for a general book on the 1918-1940 period.
Books on French aircraft manufacturers
Biographies of aircraft pioneers are normally not included here, though some may include technical details of their aircraft production.
- Aéronautique Bordelaise see Dyle-et-Bacalan
- Aerospatiale Aerospatiale, by Gérard Maoui, Le Cherche-Midi, two editions, 1989 and 1994, ISBN 2862741507 and 2862743534
not seen, probably not interesting - Amiot L'aventure Amiot-CMN – Des hommes, le ciel et la mer, by Frédéric Patard, Éd. des Champs, 1998, ISBN 2910138097
not seen, not sure if interesting, information welcome - Bernard Les avions Bernard, by Jean Liron, Larivière, coll. Docavia no.31, 1990, ISBN 2848900652
excellent, contains projects and some drawings - Blanchard see Blériot
- Blériot L'envol du XXème siècle – Blériot, SPAD, Blanchard, Guillemin, by Louis Blériot, Larivière, coll. Docavia no.63, 2010, ISBN 284890156X
not seen, seems great
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,8606.0.html - Blériot Blériot – L'envol du XXème siècle, by Louis Blériot, Maeght, 1994, ISBN 2869411065
first edition of the above, hard to find ; according to Aerostories, it contains chapters on Lignel, Maillet and Peyret that were sadly removed from the later edition - Breguet (1919-1945) Les avions Louis Breguet (1919-1945), by Charles Claveau, Le Trait d'Union no.172, 1997, no ISBN
magazine issue fully devoted to Breguet, in the series on "Les constructeurs français 1919-1945", contains projects and drawings - Breguet (after 1940) Les avions Breguet (1940-1971), by Jean Cuny & Pierre Leyvastre, Larivière, coll. Docavia no.6, 1977, no ISBN
great, contains many projects and drawings - Breguet Breguet – un siècle d'aviation, by Emmanuel Breguet, Privat, 2012, ISBN 2708992325
not seen, reportedly not interesting
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,14600.0.html - CAMS "Les hydravions CAMS", multi-part article by Jean Liron in Le Fana, from no.214 to 222, addenda by Pierre Cortet in no.231, 1987-89
good first approach, mentions some projects - Cantinieau "Les hélicoptères Cantinieau – De l'obstination et des principes", article by Jacques Moulin in Le Fana no.388, 2002
good first approach, includes projects and models built by Matra, Aerotécnica (Spanish) and SNCAN, no drawing - CAPRA see Matra
- Castel-Mauboussin Planeurs et avions – Itinéraire aéronautique d'un toulousain, Robert Castello, de 1922 à 1967 de Dewoitine à Sud Aviation en passant par les Éts Fouga, by Christian Castello, Le Lézard, 1993, ISBN 2907384910
very good, contains projects and drawings - Caudron Les avions Caudron, two volumes, by André Hauet, Lela Presse:
- volume 1 (before 1932), coll. Histoire de l'Aviation no.11, 2001, ISBN 2914017081
- volume 2 (after 1932), coll. Histoire de l'Aviation no.12, 2002, ISBN 291401709X
volume 2 is not as good as the book by Mihaly & Robinson, but has good large pictures - Caudron (after 1933) Les avions Caudron Renault, by Édouard Mihaly & Harry Robinson, Larivière, coll. Docavia no.43, 1999, ISBN 2914017081
great, contains projects and drawings - Caudron series of four booklets by Jacques Osorio, L'oeil nu, 1999:
- before 1914 Aéroplanes Caudron Frères : les premiers avions, coll. Dossier Aviation no.1, ISBN 2914017081
- 1914-1918 Les Caudron de la guerre 14-18, coll. Dossier Aviation no.2, ISBN 2951256329
- 1918-1933 Une nouvelle génération d'avions Caudron, coll. Dossier Aviation no.3, ISBN 2951256337
- after 1933 Avions Caudron, les flèches bleues, coll. Dossier Aviation no.4, ISBN 2951256345
- Couzinet (civilian) Les avions Couzinet, by Claude Faix, Icare no.198, 2006
magazine issue almost fully devoted to Couzinet, contains projects and drawings of the civilian models - Couzinet (military) "L'Air Couzinet 20 B4 et dérivés", article by Claude Faix in Le Trait d'Union no.148, 1993
contains projects and drawings of Couzinet military models, good complement to the Icare issue - Dassault Dassault 1945-1995 – 50 ans d'aventures aéronautiques, vol.1 : L'entreprise, vol.2 : Les programmes, by Claude Carlier & Luc Berger, Le Chêne, 1996, ISBN 2842770099
English translation: Dassault 1945-1995 – 50 Years of Aeronautical Adventures, vol.1 The Corporation, vol.2 The Programmes, Midland, 1996, ISBN 2842770188 and 2842770196
not seen, reportedly good but not very deep, contains projects
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,1514.0.html
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,3154.0.html - Delanne "Delanne : une certaine formule", multi-part article by Jean Liron, Jean Molveau, Jean Cuny & Jacques Borget in Le Fana no.229 to 231, 1988-89
good first approach, mentions projects - Dewoitine Les avions Dewoitine, by Raymond Danel & Jean Cuny, Larivière, coll. Docavia no.17, 1982, no ISBN
great, contains many projects and drawings - Dorand René Dorand – 50 ans de giraviation, by Pierre Boyer, Le Trait d'Union special issue, 1992, no ISBN
very good, contains many projects and drawings, also briefly covers the aircraft by Émile Dorand - Dyle-et-Bacalan L'aéronautique à Bacalan, by Jean Lacroze, Le Trait d'Union special issue, 2002, no ISBN
special issue fully devoted to Bacalan factories, very good coverage of Dyle-et-Bacalan and Aéronautique Bordelaise, some on SEMA, contains projects and drawings - Farman Les avions Farman, by Jean Liron, Larivière, coll. Docavia no.21, 1984, no ISBN
very good, mentions a few projects, no drawings - Fournier Mon rêve et mes combats, by René Fournier, SIER, 2005, ISBN 2951945809
not seen in detail, seems interesting and contains drawings - Fouga see Castel-Mauboussin
- Guillemin see Blériot
- Jodel Avions Jodel, du D.1 de 1936 au DR.400 de 1996, by Xavier Massé, Nouvelles Éditions Latines, 1996, ISBN 2723305201
not seen - Latécoère Latécoère – Les avions et hydravions, by Jean Cuny, Larivière, coll. Docavia no.34, 1992, ISBN 2907051016
excellent, contains many projects, drawings too small - Leduc René Leduc – Pionnier de la propulsion à réaction, by Jean Lacroze & Philippe Ricco, Larivière, coll. Docavia no.41, 2001, ISBN 2907051253
great, contains projects and drawings, brief mention of the aircraft by the other René Leduc
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,11775.0.html - Levasseur Les avions de Pierre Levasseur, by Michel Ledet & Lucien Morareau, Lela Presse, coll. Histoire de l'Aviation no.16, 2004, ISBN 2914017170
not seen, reportedly more on the technical and operational aspects, information welcome - Levasseur Pierre Levasseur et ses avions, by Arnaud Prudhomme, TMA, 2003, ISBN unknown
not seen, reportedly more on the biographical and industrial aspects, information welcome - Lioré-et-Olivier Lioré-et-Olivier – Un grand constructeur aéronautique, by Gérard Hartmann, ETAI, 2002, ISBN 2726886078
not seen, read mixed reviews - Lignel see Blériot and SFCA
- Loire (some) see Nieuport
- Maillet see Blériot and SFCA
- Matra "Matra avant les missiles – Les avions de Roger Robert", article by Jacques Moulin in Le Fana no.402, 2003
very good study, contains CAPRA and Matra projects, with drawings and CG artwork - Mauboussin see Castel-Mauboussin
- Max Holste Les avions de Max Holste, by Jacques Delarue, Le Trait d'Union special issue, 1993, no ISBN
not seen, hard to find, information welcome - Messier "L'avion Messier", article by Philippe Ricco in Aviation Française Magazine no.6, 2005
very good first approach, with small drawings of unbuilt projects, mainly missing a three-view of the built aircraft - Michelin Michelin et l'aviation 1896-1945 – Patriotisme industriel et innovation, by Antoine Champeaux, Lavauzelle, 2006, ISBN 2702513018
not seen, review here, not clear if it has technical details, information welcome - Morane-Saulnier Morane-Saulnier – Ses avions, ses projets, by Henri Lacaze & Claude Lherbet Lela Presse, coll. Histoire de l'Aviation no.30, 2013, ISBN 2914017707
not seen, seems great
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,18645.0.html - Morane-Saulnier Les princes du parasol – Morane-Saulnier 1910-1918, by Vital Ferry, Icare no.216, 2011, no ISBN
not seen, but see companion volume below - Morane-Saulnier Les rois du parasol – Morane-Saulnier 1918-1968, by Vital Ferry, Icare no.217, 2011, no ISBN
chronological presentation, many pictures, but no project and almost no drawing - Morane-Saulnier 90 ans de succès, de Morane-Saulnier à EADS Socata, by Philippe de Segovia & Alexandre Paringaux, Zéphyr, 2001, ISBN 2951048564
not seen, perhaps not interesting
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,904.0.html - Mudry Avions Mudry, du CP.100 de 1966 au CAP 232 de 1998, by Xavier Massé, Nouvelles Éditions Latines, 1999, ISBN 2723320073
not seen - Nieuport Nieuport 1909-1950, by Léonard Rosenthal, Alain Marchand, Michel Borget & Michel Bénichou, Larivière, coll. Docavia no.38, 2000, ISBN 2848900717
excellent, contains many projects, drawings too small, covers Loire-Nieuport, SNCAO, SNCASO and SNCAC projects from the former Nieuport design study - Nieuport Les frères Nieuport et leurs avions, by Gérard Pommier & Bertrand Pommier, L'officine, 2004, ISBN 291461456X
not seen, not sure if interesting, information welcome - Peyret see Blériot and Castel-Mauboussin
- Payen Several articles complementing or repeating each other:
- "Roland Payen", multi-part article by Alain-Yves Berger in Pilote Privé
- "La Coupe Deutsch", multi-part article by Roland Payen himself in Pilote Privé, interlinked with the above, contains first-hand info on Payen racer projects
- "Les avions Payen", three-part article by Robert Roux in Le Fana no.5 to 7, 1969, with a few projects and drawings
- "Payen : un rêve de vitesse" in le Fana no.266, and "Le Payen Pa.49 Katy" in Le Fana no.274, both by Francis Nicole, 1991-92, mentions most Payen projects, has drawings of built aircraft
- "Études et réalisations de Nicolas Roland Payen", article by Pierre Gaillard in Le Trait d'Union no.159, contains drawings and a near complete list of all Payen projects
- "Monsieur Payen's Flying Follies", three-part article by Ferdinand Käsmann in Bent Throttles no.39 to 41, also in Fast Facts no.65 to 67, contains projects and drawings
- "Paper Darts to Deltas – The Designs of Roland Payen", article by Alain Pelletier in Air Enthusiast no.68, 1997
- Piel Avions Piel, du CP.10 de 1944 au CP.150 de 1983, by Xavier Massé, Nouvelles Éditions Latines, 2004, ISBN 2723320405
not seen - Piel Claude Piel – Histoire de pierres précieuses, by Patrick Ehrhardt & Jean Molveau, Le Trait d'Union special issue, 1985, no ISBN
not seen - Potez Les avions Potez, by Jean-Louis Coroller & Michel Ledet, Lela Presse, coll. Histoire de l'Aviation no.20, 2008, ISBN 2914017499
great, contains projects and drawings - Potez (ex-Fouga) see also Castel-Mauboussin
- Robin Avions Robin, du Jodel-Robin de 1957 au DR.500 de 2000, by Xavier Massé, Nouvelles Éditions Latines, 2004, ISBN 2723320235
not seen - Robin La saga Robin de 1957 à nos jours, by François Besse, self-published, 2012, ISBN 2723320235
not seen, not sure if interesting - Romano Du ciel à l'espace, 80 ans de passion – Site de Cannes 1919-1999, de Romano à Alcatel, collective work, Version Latine, 1999, ISBN unknown
not seen, perhaps not interesting, information welcome - SCAN "Histoire de la SCAN", by Patrick Vinot-Préfontaine, articles in Le Trait d'Union:
- issue no.123, 1989, fully devoted to SCAN, excellent, mentions projects and has drawings of actually built aircraft
- part 2 "Les projets d'hydravions" in issue no.205, 2002, mentions more projects, with many drawings of unbuilt seaplanes
- part 3 "Les projets dérivés du SCAN 20" in issue no.212, 2003, not seen
- Schreck-FBA Le grand essor de l'hydraviation (1913-1934), by Gérard Hartmann, L'officine, 2010, ISBN 2355511179
not seen, read mixed review here - SEMA see Dyle-et-Bacalan
- SNCAC (ex-Nieuport) see Nieuport
- SNCAC (helicopters) see Dorand
- SNCAO (ex-Nieuport) see Nieuport
- SNCASO SNCASO 1936-1957, by Florence Rimbert, Patrimoine EADS, 2002, ISBN unknown
not seen, review here, not sure if interesting for technical details, information welcome - SNCASO (very few, ex-Nieuport) see also Nieuport
- Snecma (VTOL) La SNECMA, von Zborowski et le Coléoptère, by Jean-Christophe Carbonel, Artipresse, 2011, ISBN 2915205124
not seen in detail, seems great
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,10882.0.html - Socata see Morane-Saulnier
- Société Française du Gyroplane see Dorand
- SPAD see Blériot
- SPCA "Les SPCA", multi-part article by Jean Liron, in Le Fana no.235 to 241, 1988-89
very good, with drawings, mentions some projects - Zborowski see Snecma
Books on a class of French aircraft, by theme
Books listed here should have near exhaustive coverage of a given theme.
- Transport aircraft Les avions de transport civil français, by Pierre Gaillard, Larivière, coll. Minidocavia no.3, 1997, ISBN 2355511179
exhaustive listing of commercial aircraft that actually entered service, very shallow treatment with one picture per aircraft and a short text, no drawing, no unbuilt projects - Transport aircraft Les prototypes de transport civils français, by Alain Pelletier, Larivière, coll. Minidocavia no.8, 1998, ISBN 2355511179
similar to the above, on commercial aircraft that did not enter service - Transport aircraft (after 1945) French Post-War Transport Aircraft, by Jacques Chillon, Jean-Pierre Dubois & John Wegg, Air Britain, 1980, ISBN 2355511179
not seen, information welcome - Long-range commercial flying boats Les paquebots volants – Les hydravions transocéaniques français, by Gérard Bousquet, Larivière, coll. Docavia no.60, 2006, ISBN 2914205007
not seen, seems interesting
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,254.msg9376.html#msg9376 - Distance record and raid aircraft (1919-1939) Records français de distance (1919-1939), by Jean Liron, Larivière, coll. Docavia no.9, 2006, ISBN 2914205007
very good, not much technical detail and no unbuilt project, but exhaustive coverage of this type of aircraft in a single place - Military seaplanes (active in 1940) Les ailes françaises, multi-part publication edited by José Fernandez, Artipresse, starting in 2010:
- volume 1, Les hydravions à coque, 1ère partie, by Gérard Bousquet
- volume 2, Les hydravions à coque, 2ème partie, by Gérard Bousquet
- volume 3, Les hydravions à flotteurs, 1ère partie, by Gérard Bousquet
- Combat aircraft (1944-1960) Les avions de combat Français 1944-1960, by Jean Cuny, Larivière:
- volume 1, Chasse, assaut, coll. Docavia no.28, 1988, ISBN unknown
- volume 2, Chasse lourde, bombardement, assaut, exploration, coll. Docavia no.30, 1989, ISBN 2848900644
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=5866.0 - Multi-engined non-combat military aircraft Les multimoteurs de servitudes français, by Pierre Gaillard, Larivière, coll. Minidocavia no.14, 2002, ISBN 2914205805
not seen, probably similar to other Minidocavia titles - Helicopters Les hélicoptères français, by Philippe Boulay, Larivière, coll. Minidocavia no.9, 1998, ISBN 2907051172
similar comments to other Minidocavia titles - The books by Jean Cuny & Raymond Danel on French fighting, bombing and reconnaissance military aviation (Docavia no.2 and 12) give detailed treatment of the production orders and operational organization, but do not cover the aircraft models in detail.
Books on specific families of French aircraft
Some of the books above actually cover a single aircraft family (e.g. Leduc or Snecma VTOL). I don't want to list all monographs on French aircraft, but maybe I should include some works of special interest to the forum members. Thoughts and suggestions are welcome.
Books on French prototypes and flight tests
These books are about prototype development and flight testing. They may not describe unbuilt projects, but should be of interest to the forum members.
- 1914-1940 L'histoire des essais en vol, by Louis Bonte, Larivière, coll. Docavia no.3, 2002, no ISBN
very interesting first-hand account of flight testing, portions written by Jacques Lecarme, a few drawings or pictures of aircraft rarely seen elsewhere - 1945-1960 Vols d'essai – Le centre d'essais en vol de 1945 à 1960, by Jean-Claude Fayer, ETAI, 2001, ISBN 2726885349
not seen, highly praised - 1945-1960 Prototypes de l'aviation française 1945-1960, by Jean-Claude Fayer, ETAI, 2002, ISBN 2726886086
not seen, highly praised - 1938-1972 Histoire du centre aéronautique de Melun-Villaroche – Essais et prototypes de l'aviation française, by Robert Lamouche, Le puits fleuri, 1999, ISBN 2867391474
there is an earlier edition with a different cover, titled Essais et prototypes de l'aviation française – Melun-Villaroche, 1938-1972, MDM, 1993, ISBN 2909313077
both not seen, probably interesting, perhaps not as good as Fayer's books
Books on French aircraft engines and accessories, by period or manufacturer
- Engines, armament and equipment (1918-1940) L'aviation française de bombardement et de reconnaissance, by Raymond Danel & Jean Cuny, Larivière, coll. Docavia no.12, 1978, no ISBN
there is very good coverage of engines, armament and equipement in the 100-page appendix, almost a book by itself - Piston engines Les moteurs à pistons aéronautiques français (1900/1960), two volumes, by Alfred Bodemer & Robert Laugier, Larivière, coll. Docavia no.24-25, 1987, ISBN 2862482277
excellent reference, though the chapters could have been arranged better - Jet engines L'Atar et tous les autres moteurs à réaction français, by J.D. Reber, 1996, ISBN 2951074506
not seen, same authors as the two volumes on piston engines, information welcome - Clerget Pierre Clerget 1875-1943 – Un motoriste de génie, by Gérard Hartmann, L'officine, 2010, ISBN 2848901497
not seen, not sure if interesting, review here, more information welcome - Ratier La maison Ratier, by Yves Sounillac, Paulette Ratier & Pierre Sparaco, Privat, 2006, ISBN 2708992112
not seen, not sure if interesting, information welcome - Renault Renault et l'aviation, by Gilbert Hatry, JCM, 1988, ISBN 2902667116
the story makes a nice read but disappoints on technical details, with scant mention of aircraft types and almost nothing on engines - Snecma Snecma, les moteurs du ciel, by Pierre Sparaco & Christian Lardier, Pascal Galodé, 2010, ISBN 2848901497
not seen, not sure if interesting, information welcome - Turbomeca Turbomeca, à la hauteur de la légende, by Charles Claveau (ed.), Larivière, coll. Docavia no.61, 2008, ISBN 2848901497
not seen, not sure if interesting, information welcome - Turbomeca Joseph Szydlowski et son temps – L'aventure de Turbomeca, by Guy Decôme, Conseil Imprim, 1999, ISBN 2913781004
not seen, not sure if interesting, information welcome
Books on the French rocket industry
- Early period (1940s-1960s) Du V2 à Véronique – La naissance des fusées françaises, by Olivier Huwart, Marines Éditions, 2005, ISBN 291537919X
not seen, good review here - Later period La France à la conquête de l'espace : de Véronique à Ariane, by Philippe Varnoteaux, L'Esprit du Livre, 2007, ISBN 2915960151
not seen, good review here - Rocket engines La maîtrise du feu – 40 ans de propulsion solide et de composites, by Félix Torres, Larivière, coll. Docavia no.52, 2007, ISBN 2915960151
not seen, not sure if interesting, information welcome
