The Story of Lights Planes in War and Peace
Jeeps in the Sky: The Story of Light Planes in War and Peace was written and published in 1946 by Lt. Col. Andrew Ten Eyck. This volume chronicles the advent of the light airplane, from the early days of daring and courageous pilots, to aviation’s unprecedented feats in two world wars, and eventually to the grand peacetime promise of an airplane-in-every-household.
This rare, and almost forgotten, essay on the state of personal aviation, is as near complete a narrative as exists on the era. While the “flying Jeeps” of World War II weren’t making headlines for dropping bombs, nor were their pilots adorned for aerial combat feats; instead, these light planes furtively acted the part of the versatile, general purpose ground transport fondly, and ubiquitously, known as the Jeep. The differentiating feature between the light plane and the famous four-wheeler was that one went about its business in the sky, often narrowly atop the trees and seldom at a height where activities on the ground could scantly be observed with the naked eye.
During World War II these small, two-place aircraft completed missions of “rapid” transport, they were the eyes of the artillery, and they did so much more. The idiomatic “Jeeps in the sky” not only originated a genre of light aircraft but served to define the class for civilian use, even today! Jeeps in the Sky is a must-read for anyone who fancies aviation and cherishes the freedom to fly.
Out of print for decades, this entertaining and information-packed book is once again available in print. Completely revised, edited and appended, Jeeps in the Sky is a must-have for pilots and collectors of WWII aviation and history relics. The book gives valuable insight and meaningful purpose to the actions of soldiers and aviators who put everything on the line for peace in a world at war.
Buy your copy here.
Includes 30+ black and white photos. While the core of the book covers liaison aircraft and their activities during World War II there’s also a chronology of the light plane from 1898 through the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Tables include: World War I pursuit and combat plane specifications for American, British, French and German aircraft. Added for reference are WWII successors L-1, L-2, L-3, L-4, L-5 and L-6 liaison aircraft.
