On the Armada Bookshelf Dornier Wal << a light coming over the sea >> M. Michiel van der Mey LoGisma editore.

A sometimes nerve-tingling tale of the history and glory of the Dornier Wal (whale) amphibious aircraft, or flying boat as they were called, covering its roles in the North Pole (and many other) expeditions, passenger service, pioneering flights, world record achievements and World War II Dutch naval fleet surveillance duty. The invention of Claude Dornier (1884-1969), who at early stages in his career worked as science adviser to Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin and was ordered by same to construct his first flying boat during World War I, the Dornier Wal saw military service in Argentina, Chile, Columbia, Germany, Russia and six other countries (although it was Spain who was the first to recognise the Wal's military potential). The author has gathered an astronomical amount of historical records, photographs and technical data and created a studious account of the Wal's history and legends. This is reportedly the first in-depth diary of the Dornier Wal's achievements (although a second edition is now available from the same author) and an absolute must-read for anyone with the slightest interest in aviation history.