Coffee Table Book on Canards

[BruceS]

As much as I like having my pictures on my computer, I really enjoy a good "Coffee Table Book" and unfortunately, we don't have one just for canard aircraft. There's just something about feeling the glossy paper between my fingers while turning those pages and not looking at a computer screen. So the idea of "The Big Book of Canards" (working title) is something I've decide to do for the canard community. Also, it makes it easier to let those that are not at my computer to enjoy the photos as well and I think a lot of non-canardians will enjoy the book. Since there are about a billion photos already taken of canard aircraft (during construction, on the ground, in flight, etc) I thought I'd solicit for donation photos. Having looked at many over the years, there are some absolutely beautiful ones out there.

Here's my offer, I'll assemble the book by retouching/cropping, editing photos as needed, write captions and other info that will be supplied by the donors. Of course they would have their name/photo credits and any info included in the book as well. I would build the book and store it at www.blurb.com (or similar company) where anybody can order a book at anytime from Blurb (or similar company) and it would be shipped directly to them, I don't have to do a thing, except create the book and store it at a company like Blurb. The printing price will be the same for everyone (including me) and cost will depend on how many pages are in the book, anywhere between $30 - $100. This will become a winter/spring project for me and I'm not looking to make any money off of this especially since the photos will be donated.

Here's what we'll need:

The photos need to be high resolution images, 72 dpi will not look good at all for printing, great for TV or computer viewing. We need at least 200dpi or better for printing.

I'll need as much info about the photograph as you can supply, the typical who, what, where and when information, at the very least who took the photos.

Any and all types of canard aircraft are welcome, AeroCanard, Berkut, Cozy's, Defiant, Dragonfly, ERacer, Ibis, Long/Vari EZ, SQ2000, Velocity, Quickie/Q2/Q200/Tri-Q and others that I didn't mention or know about. I'd like to include some construction shots as well.

You can send them via email or snail mail on a CD/DVD.

bruceATpursuitofflightdotcom

Bruce Sturgill
PO Box 652
Troutdale, OR 97060

Any and all suggestions/questions about the book are welcome, this is our "Big Book of Canards".


Best regards,
Bruce Sturgill

[Brett795]

I think you have a great idea Bruce!  Probably one of my favorite pictures of a canard is of the Defiant on the last page of the Canard Pusher 44; the one where you see a mirror image of it on the water and the wheels "accidentally" touched the water.  I just do not know if you can reprint that picture (even though it is alright to reprint the CP's). 

Brett Gerber

[BruceS]

I think you have a great idea Bruce!  Probably one of my favorite pictures of a canard is of the Defiant on the last page of the Canard Pusher 44; the one where you see a mirror image of it on the water and the wheels "accidentally" touched the water.  I just do not know if you can reprint that picture (even though it is alright to reprint the CP's). 

Brett Gerber

Yes, I agree, that's a great shot. I think it would be a great addition to the book if we could reprint something from the Rutan factory, giving a tribute to Burt for what he's done for the canard community. I don't have any contact information for anyone there, so if someone has any information that might help us get some good shots for the our table top book, it would be greatly appreciated.

Bruce

[Bill James]

I ordered and recently got Bruce Sturgill's Big Book of Canards. Some interesting folks were coming over for a presentation on my plane and he went out of his way to get a copy to me in time for the event. Several significant maps, pictures and building material items of mine were arranged around the speaker's table. I not only wanted his impressive book on display too, it was interesting to see what the response would be to it.
My major observation is that this book says a lot. The images are in fact worth thousands of words, silently speaking volumes about this movement, almost instantly laying a foundation that would be difficult for us to accomplish with words.
Like many of you, I had taken a look at the pictures on his site. As I expected, viewers were reluctant to give up their position viewing the book, and it never cooled down. We live in the internet age but books are special.
The book is certainly not intended as a source reference, but it provides an unexpected benefit as i peruse the pages and see where someone else already tried my secret shape or fin, happily saving me from having to try that idea myself. A particular shape had been tickling me awake for several months and it is interesting to see it already in operation. Probably cost the guy 2 knots   
Bruce doesn't know i am sending this note. It is my friendly nudge to those of you that aren't familiar with what Bruce has wrought. I think this is one of those things a guy doesn't want to miss. His email is     bruce@pursuitofflight.com

Several months ago Bruce asked me to work up a forward, reprinted here for you:
One of the significant benefits of a canard driver is being invited into the world of another enthusiast for a special demonstration of their latest gizmo, or surreptitious aerodynamic effort at capturing that last two knots. Bruce Sturgill is a fellow builder and ardent observer along this journey laced with foam, fiber, epoxy, and flight. In this book he invites us to view the results of his passion for the functional grace and creative beauty resident in the works of the canard art form.   
We live in a time where books are being rediscovered and appreciated anew for their inimitable qualities. This is a book showing special airplanes of a special era, which for me awakens different remembrances and inspirations with each review. It is sure to give a coffee table, desk, or build time, an extra five knots. 
Bill James, Fort Worth VariEze