Spectators Balcony (Spotters Corner) If you're not a professional pilot but want to discuss issues about the job, this is the best place to loiter. You won't be moved on by 'security' and there'll be plenty of experts to answer any questions.

Aircraft Recognition Book

Old 3rd Aug 2018, 20:41
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Aberdeen
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Aircraft Recognition Book

Looking for recommendations on a book for my son. He is obsessed with Flight Radar, and loves leafing through my Aircraft book from about 20 years ago to see all the different types of aircraft. I’m looking for something a bit more modern as there aren’t that many Caravelle’s flying around any more!

So, something with lots of photos of the planes we are likely to see in the UK. Any ideas?
The_Steed is offline  
Old 4th Aug 2018, 19:03
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Seattle
Posts: 3,195
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I believe Janes All the World's Aircraft is updated regularly (every 2 years).
https://shop.janes.com/Yearbooks/All...ld-s-Aircraft/
Intruder is offline  
Old 4th Aug 2018, 23:30
  #3 (permalink)  
Gnome de PPRuNe
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,538
Received 219 Likes on 133 Posts
Jane's Recognition Guides might be a better and certainly a cheaper bet though I haven't looked at one for years. Like the Observers books on steroids.
treadigraph is online now  
Old 5th Aug 2018, 07:12
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Reading, UK
Posts: 15,788
Received 196 Likes on 90 Posts
Recent, up-to-date airliner recogniton books are like hens' teeth. Good luck trying to find an affordable one that includes, for example, the 787 and A350.
DaveReidUK is offline  
Old 5th Aug 2018, 12:02
  #5 (permalink)  
Gnome de PPRuNe
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,538
Received 219 Likes on 133 Posts
Just been looking on Amazon - you're right, nothing less than 10 years old as far as I could see...
treadigraph is online now  
Old 5th Aug 2018, 16:12
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: London
Posts: 7,072
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Intruder
I believe Janes All the World's Aircraft is updated regularly (every 2 years).
https://shop.janes.com/Yearbooks/All...ld-s-Aircraft/

Its' yearly and costs a fortune (hundreds of pounds) - and it's no use for identification as it weighs a ton and conctrates on aircraft being built now - I buy oneevery 10 years......

Their Recognition Guide is what you want but there is no date given for the next one
Heathrow Harry is offline  
Old 5th Aug 2018, 22:06
  #7 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Aberdeen
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks very much for all the info - much appreciated!
The_Steed is offline  
Old 6th Aug 2018, 16:31
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: UK
Age: 62
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by The_Steed
Looking for recommendations on a book for my son. He is obsessed with Flight Radar, and loves leafing through my Aircraft book from about 20 years ago to see all the different types of aircraft. I’m looking for something a bit more modern as there aren’t that many Caravelle’s flying around any more!

So, something with lots of photos of the planes we are likely to see in the UK. Any ideas?
Does he really need an aircraft recognition book for airliners?

If he just clicks on the aircraft icon on FR24 then the pane on the left will open (if using a PC or laptop), with a photo of that exact aircraft at the top (if a photo of it exists on the Jetphotos database).

Just click on the photo and a new tab will open with a full-screen photo from Jetphotos, who are linked to FR24.

Just a thought!
Big Eric is offline  
Old 6th Aug 2018, 19:48
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Reading, UK
Posts: 15,788
Received 196 Likes on 90 Posts
Originally Posted by Big Eric
Does he really need an aircraft recognition book for airliners?

If he just clicks on the aircraft icon on FR24 then the pane on the left will open (if using a PC or laptop), with a photo of that exact aircraft at the top (if a photo of it exists on the Jetphotos database).

Just click on the photo and a new tab will open with a full-screen photo from Jetphotos, who are linked to FR24.

Just a thought!
Seems a rather long-winded way of deciding what kind of aircraft has just flown over your head.
DaveReidUK is offline  
Old 7th Aug 2018, 08:42
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: UK
Age: 62
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by DaveReidUK
Seems a rather long-winded way of deciding what kind of aircraft has just flown over your head.
The OP says that his son is obsessed with FR24, so it's a good alternative in the absence of an airliner recognition book if he's watching FR24 at the time.
Big Eric is offline  
Old 8th Aug 2018, 06:53
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NI
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I don't think there's a single reference book that will cover all your needs.

It's a real shame that Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory disappeared after Flight International bought them. It was an excellent contemporary reference and hella cheaper than Jane's.

Anyway, I'd suggest a two-pronged approach:

1. A second-hand copy of Airlife's General Aviation guide for lightplanes up to Islander size. Available for pennies on Amazon etc
2. Compiling an airliner recognition cheat-sheet from three-views available online. This is really the only way that you'll keep it up to date.
El Bunto is offline  
Old 8th Aug 2018, 07:23
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Reading, UK
Posts: 15,788
Received 196 Likes on 90 Posts
Originally Posted by El Bunto
Compiling an airliner recognition cheat-sheet from three-views available online. This is really the only way that you'll keep it up to date.
Here's a good site for starters:

https://www.airlinerspotter.com/
DaveReidUK is offline  
Old 8th Aug 2018, 07:57
  #13 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 328
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If its commercial, they all look the same these days anyway!

Just copy an A320 image, and stretch/shrink as required......
OntimeexceptACARS is offline  
Old 10th Aug 2018, 17:43
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: gone surfin'
Age: 58
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
argh.....when plane spotting was fun. Caravelle's, B727's, B707's, all the "Tupolevs"

:-)
gingernut is offline  
Old 13th Aug 2018, 08:04
  #15 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: London
Posts: 7,072
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by gingernut
argh.....when plane spotting was fun. Caravelle's, B727's, B707's, all the "Tupolevs"

:-)
But it made us deaf...............................
Heathrow Harry is offline  
Old 13th Aug 2018, 09:46
  #16 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lanzarote/Butuan/Southern Yorkshire
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
What? 1-11's, Trident, Mercure, VC10.

Last edited by Cymmon; 13th Aug 2018 at 09:58.
Cymmon is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.