Classic Propliners Part 1

Aero Research has released their next photo reference CD, this covering a variety of commercial turboprop aircraft. This title wasn't originally on their release list, but they've clearly acquired quite an impressive collection to publish.

Once again I used my image browser to scan through the aircraft on the disc and I was quite impressed with the selection of aircraft. In this release, there are a nice variety of (mostly) piston-powered airliners that were still in service in the late 1960s and into the early 1970s. A few of these photos are newer than that, but the vast majority are from a time that is getting more difficult to find materials for.

What is especially interesting is the selection of Jack Conroy's Guppies from his days at Van Nuys Airport up through the impressive conversion center at Santa Barbara Airport. I learned to fly in the early 1970s at the Civil Air Patrol squadron next door to Aero Spacelines and even had a front-row seat to watch the first French pilots in their bright orange flight suits getting checked out in the company Super Guppy as their aircraft were getting built to haul Airbus A300 parts around Europe.

The line-up of aircraft on this disk cover the following aircraft types:

• Boeing 247
• Boeing 307
• Boeing 377 Stratoliner
• Boeing 377 Mini-Guppy
• Boeing 377 Super Guppy
• C-46
• Convair 240
• Convair 340
• Convair 440
• Convair 590
• DC-3
• DC-4
• DC-6
• DC-7
• L-049 Constellation
• L-1049 Constellation
• L-1649 Constellation
• Martin 404

For the modeler, you'll see lots of good details and color information for a trip down memory lane or perhaps to tackle a scale airliner kit for a change of pace. For the enthusiast and modeler alike, you can browse through a nice variety of high-resolution images of some very nice aircraft!

This is a nice selection of imagery that you won't find available in such clarity and size. This title is recommended!

You can purchase this reference or any of their other photo CDs directly from this publisher via email (Aeroresmodel@aol.com) or calling them at 775.746.8615. They gladly accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.

My sincere thanks to Aero Research for this review sample!