NZFF

by **Gavin Conroy** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:20 pm

Here is the book cover, will be a few weeks before it is on the shelf in all mayor bookstores around NZ and will be available on the net to be shipped worldwide.
The main title was my idea, and originated from one of my favourite racing Mustangs, but I also think it fit the aeroplanes well.
The book covers 15 WW2 fighters photographed Air 2 Air, with historical text but also features text written by those who own and fly them and that is the real highlight for me.
Around 20 pilots, owners, and restorers assisted with the project and some of the writing is very good indeed.
We were going to publish this last year but I wanted to wait for the Tomahawk and Fw 190.
The book is hard cover, dust jacket, 160 pages in length, with the page size of 24.0 x 32.0 centimeters and each aeroplane gets its own chapter.
The publisher thought the term Classic Fighters summed up the aeroplanes as a subtitle and just happens to be the same name as an airshow.
I cannot emphasize enough the massive team effort this has been and a result of five years work (pleasure) and finally it is finished. To be honest I thought it would be a few years before I would get the support to publish a major book project and it will not be the last.
A couple of book launches will be held and I might do a quick tour in the Nanchang to drop some books off to some of the people who made this all possible.

More info will follow later.

by **Charl** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:43 pm

Many, many congratulations on this effort.
Something to look forward to...

by **Ian Warren** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 10:51 pm

One other to added to the Shelf , a requirement

by **Naki** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 10:55 pm

Nice..looking forward to seeing the completed example

by **jastheace** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 8:24 pm

i can see my book shelf needing an extension, good work gavin

by **Gavin Conroy** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 9:57 pm

Thanks to everyone who has sent messages and emails regarding the upcoming book and great to see so much support for a book like this and I am a bit overwhelmed really.
The book is being published by Craig Potton publishing. I saw some very nice books produced by them a couple of years back and as the quality was just what I was after when the time came to produce a book so I approached them and was lucky enough to secure a contract and this is their first book on aeroplanes.
So we should get a good result and if the owners, pilots and restorers are happy with it when they finally see the result of their efforts, that will be good enough for me.

Just have to wait for the first copies to arrive in a few weeks time.
Not sure when we will start on a second book, it may be a while as getting the right photos together does take a lot of time and not sure what the next book would be about and have plenty of people giving me ideas so that is helpful but we will not be in a hurry to produce a second one until everything is just right.

Finally here is one of the book subjects.

by **Naki** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 10:17 pm

mmm Yak-3...any idea on price Gavin?

by **Gavin Conroy** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 8:48 pm

First advanced copy of the book arrived yesterday and pretty happy with it.
After all of the long hours it is good to see it in print, the pilot text is great and is a nice record of all of the flying we have completed with the WW2 fighters over the past five year and thanks to everyone who made this possible.

by **Splitpin** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 10:02 am

awesome work Gavin....and the title is brilliant

by **Gavin Conroy** » Sat Oct 01, 2011 6:05 pm

Naki wrote:
QUOTE (Naki @ Sep 5 2011,10:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
mmm Yak-3...any idea on price Gavin?

RRP will be $60, it is quite a large book though so it represents good buying I think.

by **Gavin Conroy** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 7:34 pm

BOOK LAUNCH POSTPONED: Due to shipping issues up north the book Precious Metal will not be here in time for the first book launch in Blenheim on October 25th.
Not much that can be done due to the latest state of play, we expect to see the book towards the end of next week but will have to wait and see.
Sorry if this causes issues for anyone but have only found out this evening.

by **Bazza** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 7:43 pm

The Bookshop man at Tauranga expected it about today when I enquired a couple of days back. He is also an aviation nut
and is looking forward to same.

Guess what my family can get me for Xmas....?....

by **Gavin Conroy** » Tue Nov 08, 2011 6:25 pm

We have confirmed a book launch for Blenheim, it will be held at the Aviation Heritage Centre on Wednesday, November 16 from 5.30-7.00pm.
Everyone that comes along goes into the draw for a free ride in a Nanchang while Air 2 Air photos are taken of the winner.
Flight will only be available on the night of the launch and is subject to weather and serviceability.
It is great the books are arriving now, have a publishers meeting at the weekend so will find out when it will be available in the shops and online.
If you can make it please feel free to come along next week, and who knows you just might win that free ride.
Special thanks to everyone at the AHC for offering to put this event on, very much appreciated.
Will be good to get the book on the shelves, has been a lot of work to get to this point and hopefully we can get some more flying done once this busy spell passes.
Am looking forward to flying with some WW1 aircraft at Masterton in a couple of weeks time, getting itchy feet and need to get up flying but first things first as they say :-)

by **Ian Warren** » Tue Nov 08, 2011 7:21 pm

Bugger missed again

by **Bazza** » Wed Nov 09, 2011 7:53 am

Bit far away for me unfortunately, however I have been checking out at my local Whitcoulls who have it listed as coming but not here yet.

What a great Xmas present...(hints to family.)

by **Ian Warren** » Wed Nov 09, 2011 8:13 am

Bazza wrote:
QUOTE (Bazza @ Nov 9 2011,8:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What a great Xmas present...(hints to family.)

Bazza , you hit the nail on the head ! What a great Xmas present...(hint to myself)

by **Naki** » Wed Nov 09, 2011 8:21 am

Bazza wrote:
QUOTE (Bazza @ Nov 9 2011,8:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Bit far away for me unfortunately, however I have been checking out at my local Whitcoulls who have it listed as coming but not here yet.

What a great Xmas present...(hints to family.)

I had the same thoughts..have also been checking my local Whitcoulls

by **Ian Warren** » Wed Nov 09, 2011 8:35 am

Naki wrote:
QUOTE (Naki @ Nov 9 2011,9:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
..have also been checking my local Whitcoulls

I wonder if Gavin could host the book at 'Mighty Ape' you may recall the stupid ridiculous markup Whitcoulls or Paperplus had , $65NZ versa $100NZ from these shops , 'Skyhawk' being the example .

by **Gavin Conroy** » Wed Nov 09, 2011 7:02 pm

Don't think that sort of thing will happen.

You can get it directly from the publisher at the link below and delivery is free in NZ when you order on line.

They will be despatched to book shops over the next couple of weeks, I guess some companies can set different prices at the end of the day.

Look forward to any feedback.

http://www.craigpotton.co.nz/products/publ...n/preciousmetal

All of the pilot and owners books are here and will be sent out or delivered over the next few weeks.
Was good to actually see a lot of books fresh in their boxes, great feeling after all of the work involved by dozens of people, just a pity my grand parents are no longer here to see it.

by **Ian Warren** » Wed Nov 09, 2011 7:22 pm

Cheer s Gavin .. SOLD!

NZFF

Precious Metal: WW2 Fighters Air 2 Air.

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