Listing of all MGAE/MAS books published

[gwoof]

Some of the old titles are popping up on a Facebook page about aviation books and I was just wondered what was the last title published under the MAS banner? Not a re-issue or update but last all new work.

Also, is there anywhere a definitive list of all the books that were published by the group?

Ever curious.

Ian

[viscount]

No there is no definitive list of MAS books that I am currently aware of - which is a little surprising given my affinity for compiling lists and my association with MAS book publishing. Given that I likely have at least 75% (my keyboard doesn't 'do' three-quarters) of the titles within a metre of where I am sat, a list might just be forthcoming in the next day or two!

Which doesn't answer your question, simply because I don't know the answer! 2nd edition of "A History of RAF Woodvale", "Under B Conditions" "W&R 10", British Isles Airfield Guide 10" and "In Uniform" are all potential candidates, I think. Now that the question has been asked, I am intrigued to find the answer. Well, done 'gwoof', another non-television evening looms - only joking - is it me growing older or has the tv over Christmas been pathetic, too much choice and too little worth watching.

Watch this thread ............ I'm going to disturb some dust!



note: Read on, as on page 2 there is a complete list of all titles, editions, publication date, price etc and most covers illustrated too.

[bulldog]

Brian

Pretty sure it was not Under B conditions, or RAF Woodvale. Beyond that I cannot remember. A W&R is quite likely , purely a guess however.

Clive

[davecalveley]

Brian
before you get your duster out here is your starter for 10...or should that be volumes 10?... from my collection

In Uniform 1983
Airfield Guide 10 1985
W&R 10 1986

also fascinating to see what is still available on amazon etc

regards and best wishes for the new year to you and all NWAN members and viewers

Dave

[maverick]

Dec 30, 2014 18:00:08 GMT 1 davecalveley said:

Brian
before you get your duster out here is your starter for 10...or should that be volumes 10?... from my collection

In Uniform 1983
Airfield Guide 10 1985
W&R 10 1986

also fascinating to see what is still available on amazon etc

regards and best wishes for the new year to you and all NWAN members and viewers

Dave

Ive got the histories of woodvale and sealand w&r and airfield guides x 4

[viscount]

Right, so I've raided my bookshelves and am surprised that there are so many MSAE/MAS titles and editions when collected together! It would appear on an initial count to amount to 61 different books/editions, of 23 different titles, produced between 1961 and 1986! I have 48 books (not counting a few doubles), so am just on the three-quarters estimate. No, I don't have an original W&R 1, W&R 2, W&R 3 or BIAG 1 - all are gold-dust and I gather early W&R's go for a worthwhile amount of money on e-bay, but crop-up only rarely. Indeed around the time of W&R 8 in 1982 I can recall Ken Ellis stating that he had (at that time) never even seen an original 1961 W&R 1 - just the 1974 reproduction.

As there are three titles that I am aware of not in my collection (Air Min, On Guard, In Uniform), I am still after some hours of sorting through uncertain of the answer to the question posed. The last books published would appear to Wrecks & Relics 9 in 1984, British Isles Airfield Guide 10 in 1985 and Wrecks and Relics 10 in 1986 - but the question related to the final new work published. It is either Phil Butler's 'An Illustrated History of Liverpool Airport' 1983, or Ken Ellis's 'In Uniform' also 1983 (published jointly with MCP), so the last solely new MAS title was 'An Illustrated History of Liverpool Airport'.


Given time I'll produce a complete list of all 60 or so editions/titles with author, size and price, however these are the titles I'm aware of (with a little help from Gerry a few posts further on), in alphabetical order:

<Aero>Views '72 (a photo publication no one was proud to have been associated with)

Air Min (captured Axis WWII aircraft given 'Air Ministry' registrations for identification, 1977)

An Illustrated History of Liverpool Airport (an airport history for Speke's 50th anniversary, 1983)

British Air Arms (squadrons, aircraft, bases, serials of British military 1977, pushed the boundary of what was permitted)

British Gliders (3 editions)

British Homebuilt Aircraft (2 editions)

British Isles Airfield Guide (ran to 10 editions/reprints 1962-1986, and a sheet map)

British Independent Airlines since 1946 (ran to 4 Volumes plus Index, published jointly with LAASI)

British Museum Aircraft (1977)

French Civil Aircraft Registers (4 parts, 1963-65)

History of the Short Skyvan (jointly with Ulster Aviation Society, 1975)

History of RAF Sealand (1978)

History of RAF Shawbury (1977)

History of RAF Woodvale (2 editions, 1974 & 1980)

In Uniform (British civil aircraft flying in military colours)

Irish Aircraft (2 editions & updates 1963 & 1972)

On Guard (UK gate guardians, 1978)

Scandinavian Civil Register (1963)

Swiss Civil Register (1964)

Under B Conditions (manufacturers test serials, 1978)

United States Air Force Serials 1946 on (5 editions/reprints, 1969-1977)

United States Navy Serials 1942 on (3 editions, 1973-1976)

Wreck and Relics (10 editions 1961-1986 plus 2 reproduction editions)

[gerrymanning]

Hi Brian, I have a copy of "On Guard" and it is listed as "Copyright : February 1978"

Gerry

[gerrymanning]

Brian
Just found a copy of one NOT on your list it is "Scandinavian Civil Register" compiled by R.J. Goring, published November 1963 cost 5/- (25p for the children of today)

Gerry

[davecalveley]

Brian
thanks for compiling list....wonder what the print run of each title was on average and what the demand for certain titles was...I have most of the titles I want in my library if moderators will allow this thread to allow members to find titles they want if anyone has a copy of
RAF Shawbury.....On Guard...British Museum Aircraft 1977 please send details via personal message...

Dave

[viscount]

Thanks Gerry, I was unaware of that early one, before Air Britain took-over publication of the European Registers, I was surprised to find the Swiss one in my bookcase. Was there ever a German Register, or was that an early Air Britain one?

In compiling a list of all MGAE/MSAE/MAS books there are a couple of gaps in the ISBN numbers issued which are testing my memory, although I seem to recall from the time that there was sometimes confusion in their allocation. Considering the time since the last MAS books were published, there does seem to be an increasing awareness of them around the Internet, although admittedly mostly around the earliest W&Rs. At the time of publication many titles were innovative and filled clear gaps in published knowledge. As to numbers printed I have no idea, beyond discussion in Committee such matters were never recorded in print. Regrettably the one person who could most likely have memory of such details, MAS Treasurer Brian Billington, is no longer with us. Seem to think they usually varied between 1,500 and 3,000 per print run - but memory could be well out! Demand varied, seem to recall that the early Wrecks & Relics and British Isles Airfield Guides, along with USAF Serials sold out very quickly, with a reprint required. While some like 'Aeroviews'72' (a misjudged publication), 'History of the Short Skyvan', 'Air Min' and the airfield histories sold at a slower pace. A record of what we produced then is well overdue on the internet, so I'm working on it ........

Now if anyone out there has an 'In Uniform' or an 'On Guard' which are unwanted, I'd be interested in receiving a PM.

[gerrymanning]

Brian, I do have a copy of a "West German Civil Register" published June 1963 by the "Civil Aviation Specialists Society", were they the local based group who merged with the MGAE at the end of 1962? to form the MSAE. (Think it was 1962 the merger). It was compiled by Southend-based R. J. Goring again and featured a advert about joining the CASS with an Ormskirk contact address.

Gerry

[gwoof]

Brian

Stunning piece of work, apologies for disturbing so much dust

As a body of work it's pretty impressive how much was produced and certainly several titles I still use on a regular basis as there has not been anything to better them.

I had forgotten about the Skyvan publication. I worked closely with Shorts during my time in London and I remember them asking, as they knew I was an enthusiast, how one of their unannounced customers was listed in it! It wasn't me so I can only assume our co-authors had inside info.

It's amazing how many people have MAS publications sat proudly on their bookshelves and how many are still trying to collect them.

I guess W&R 10 is the best answer as to last published, I know I have a copy of that within a few feet of me now.

All the best

Ian

[bulldog]

Gents

When the MAS finally closed down for some reason I became the keeper of a number of excess publications. This thread has just made me look in my loft and I have the following books available free to good homes if anyone wants them. Send me a pm. I will not respond via the thread. 

One copy of British Homebuilt Aircraft.
Two of British Air Arms.
Five of RAF Woodvale
One of RAF Shawbury
Six of the original History of Liverpool Airport

I can post them out if a stamp addressed envelope is forwarded to me with (complete guess) £2.00 postage on it.

First come first serve although I can be bribed with a couple of pints.

[viscount]

MSAE/MAS BOOKS - COMPLETE LISTING

In the four months since the list was first published on this post, I have discovered research into MAS books made in late 1978, which adds very considerably to the original list - so much so, that I have produced a new list and placed it on a new post on page 2 of this thread.

As subsequent comments would be left 'hanging', I have left this post in place having deleted the content and added this note.

The new list included much new information that has never been revealed before regarding print runs, and should now be the definitive list on the subject of MSAE and MAS Publications.

[bulldog]

Brian
fascinating study you have produced. I remember the good old days well. Regarding numbers I seem to recall that we worked out that at one stage ( including airfield map) we had produced over 100,000 bookl/publications of one sort or another. Amazing numbers for a bunch of keen enthusiasts.