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Post by Gavin Conroy on Aug 29, 2011 19:19:21 GMT 12
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.  |
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Post by aeromedia on Aug 29, 2011 19:59:17 GMT 12
Looks fantastic so far Gavin. Eagerly awaited. I look forward to adding a copy to my collection. Congratulations!
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Post by obiwan27 on Aug 29, 2011 21:53:28 GMT 12
Fantastic idea for the title Gavin. Looks superb. Had a peep at the 2012 Warbirds calendar this arvo, also superb. Which one will I get, or shall I get both? Decisions, decisions....
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 30, 2011 16:48:57 GMT 12
Well done Gavin. I'm looking forward to seeig a copy of this.
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Post by Gavin Conroy on Aug 31, 2011 21:55:23 GMT 12
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.  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 31, 2011 23:06:06 GMT 12
Based on those two images alone Gavin, I reckon this book should sell very well on the UK and US markets. I hope you get distributors there.
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Post by Gavin Conroy on Sept 22, 2011 20:47:33 GMT 12
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.
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Post by vs on Sept 22, 2011 22:03:33 GMT 12
Looking forward to getting a copy! When I was in DC earlier this year, there were at least 4 authors to meet and sign their books. Was very interesting.
Looking forward to getting a copy
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Post by Gavin Conroy on Oct 1, 2011 18:03:51 GMT 12
Fantastic idea for the title Gavin. Looks superb. Had a peep at the 2012 Warbirds calendar this arvo, also superb. Which one will I get, or shall I get both? Decisions, decisions.... Go on mate, get both  |
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Post by Officer Crabtree on Oct 2, 2011 15:30:07 GMT 12
I have just added something to my to do list.
Fantastic looking book Gavin.
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Post by beagle on Oct 2, 2011 17:26:41 GMT 12
Was in Bookworld in Blenheim on friday. Saw Don's book there live for the first time. Quite thick so showed the mrs what I want for xmas, now this book will be out as well.
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Post by flyjoe180 on Oct 3, 2011 9:09:34 GMT 12
Stop writing books for a few months guys, I'm going broke  |
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Post by Gavin Conroy on Oct 3, 2011 21:05:50 GMT 12
I have just added something to my to do list. Fantastic looking book Gavin. Thanks for that. |
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Post by Gavin Conroy on Oct 18, 2011 19:33:25 GMT 12
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.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 18, 2011 20:39:29 GMT 12
"Due to shipping issues up north"
Do you have to wait for the books to wash up on the beach?
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Post by Gavin Conroy on Oct 18, 2011 20:52:49 GMT 12
The container of books is not on "that boat" but on one waiting to head into port by the sounds of it. There are way bigger issues up that way to worry about and the book being a week or two is not a problem.
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Mike S
Leading Aircraftman
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Post by Mike S on Oct 28, 2011 8:39:04 GMT 12
Gavin,
Are you making the book available for sale via your website? If not, is there a distributor here in the US where I can order a copy?
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Post by Gavin Conroy on Nov 5, 2011 20:39:54 GMT 12
Hi There,
I won't be selling it via my website but you will be able to get it overseas.
Will post some information when I know more and am expecting to start seeing some books later next week.
Cheers
Gavin
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Post by Gavin Conroy on Nov 8, 2011 18:27:26 GMT 12
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 :-)  |
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Post by Gavin Conroy on Nov 9, 2011 19:04:43 GMT 12
You can now buy the book 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. Look forward to any feedback. www.craigpotton.co.nz/products/published/books/bookgeneralnonfiction/preciousmetalAll 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.  |
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