Early Aviation Adventure

[skjam]

Dave Dashaway and His Hydroplane by Roy Rockwood

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A nifty book about a young fellow in the early days of aviation.



It's a fairly typical boys' adventure book of the time period; Dave is cleancut, honest, brave and naturally gifted at flying airships. His sidekick Hiram is also a jolly good fellow, and they're supported by honest older gentlemen. Only the villains have personality flaws.



In this second volume of the series, Dave is called in to assist in the recovery of a hydro-aeroplane, or as we would know it, a seaplane. Criminals have already figured out how to use this exciting new invention for evil, and Dave must nip it in the bud!



Perhaps the most interesting feature for the modern reader is the descriptions of flying the airplanes, very much a risky enterprise at the time.



Notably, Dave's adult mentor goes on an exciting adventure of his own, which we only learn the details of afterward. Thankfully, this method of keeping the grownup from hogging the action follows smoothly from the events of the previous volume.



Some readers may be put off by the heavy use of coincidence to make Dave's search easier, and the rather pat way everything works out in time for setting up the next volume.



Recommended for aviation buffs, boys from about ten to fifteen and people living in the Great Lakes area where the story takes place.



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