Wings of Angels: A Tribute to the Art of WWII Pinup and Aviation Volume 2

What do WWII fashion, advertising, art work, aviation, history,  and pin ups have in common? All of these are beautifully captured in HDR color, black and white as well as sepia photographs in the latest book from photographer Michael Malak in the Wings of Angels: A Tribute to the Art of WWII Pinup and Aviation Volume 2. This is the second book in a two volume series that Michael Malak worked for over three years to get these published as a tribute to his grandfather Henry Michael Malak, who sadly passed away before the project was complete. It was that moment that spurred Michael to see this dream come true in the art captured through his artistic eyes in his photographs.

Using authentic WWII aircraft and props was the key to making these photographs truly something a novice like myself can appreciate as well as those seasoned service men and women that flew the aircraft featured in this book. You will also find WWII nose art pin-up artwork recreated as well as vintage ads and enlisted the help of today's biggest names in pin-up artwork to recreate the pin-up artwork you find tucked between the cover of this book. From Romain Hugault, Lorenzo Di Mauro, Ben Tan, David Nestler, Elisabete Cargnello, and Greg Hildebrant, all of Michael's photographs were utilized as the inspiration to capture some truly one of a kind works of art.

The pin-ups models capture that truly classic pin-up look using 1940's fashion and lingerie to give the readers a look back in time to those girls that wanted something to remind their men to hurry home from the war and to keep their minds focused on the returning. Each model is showcased in her own chapter with a truly unique authentic plane starring alongside her. From the FM-2 Wildcat, B-25J Mitchell, F4u-4 Corsair, SN-J5 Texan, F6F-5 Hellcat to the P-38L Lightning. Michael truly gets the reader right into the heart of the cockpit in his photographs that we may never get the opportunity to see. From specifications, missions, flight crew stories, history, and more those that love WWII aircraft will truly find something to treasure through this book.

The reader will learn the importance of what mail call did for morale, Look magazine's "women only" section, how Coca Cola did their part for the war, to the meaning behind war rationing. There are stories of the models and their ties to WWII including the famous Clara Barton founder of the Red Cross, to Charles Allen Bigbee one of the few pilots to fly the famous Memphis Belle. There are details for the significance of the paint schemes of the Hellcat's mouth on the plane, to photo reconnaissance on the P-38, and even what role Walt Disney played in their colorful cartoons found painted on the sides of some of the aircraft. There is even a section dedicated to Rosie the Riveter, the earmarks how women played a key role in the success in WWII as well both at home and in the air.

I received Wings of Angels: A Tribute to the Art of WWII Pinup and Aviation Volume 2 by Michael Malak, compliments of Schiffer Publishing for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. There is so much packed into each of these volumes that you will want to make sure you pick up both volume 1 and 2. From fun facts shooting on location with the models to get the perfect shot to what its like to be a pin up, this is such a comprehensive look at the beauty behind WWII captured in photographs by Michael Malak. It would be a great gift for any lover of WWII history, fashion, aviation and pinups. I easily give this a 5 out of 5 stars because I honestly have never seen anything like it so beautifully done to bring an true appreciation back for fashion, aircraft and history of WWII. Word even has it there is a 2015 Wings of Angels calendar available as well.

For more information about Wings of Angels: A Tribute to the Art of WWII Pinup and Aviation Volume 2, Michael Malak or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Wings of Angels: A Tribute to the Art of WWII Pinup and Aviation Volume 2 by Michael Malak

You can find Michael Malak on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest books and projects.

To purchase a limited edition commemorative set including both volumes 1 and 2 in a handsome collector's slipcase, please visit Schiffer Publisher's website. 

Wings of Angels: Tribute to the Art of WWII Pinup and Aviation Volume 1

So if you have been following my book review site, Reviews From The Heart, you already know I am a huge fan of WWII history, aviation and fashion. I am super excited to share something that combines the beauty of WWII Pinups, authentic WWII aircraft, some history of the time period and people that sacrificed so much for the freedoms we now, including Hollywood's role in the war effort ,all captured in beautiful color, sepia, and black and white photos by photographer Michael Malak. In the first of a two volume set, Wings of Angels: Tribute to the Art of WWII Pinup and Aviation Volume 1, is a three year plus project that the photographer captured as a tribute to his grandfather, Henry Michael Malak, a WWII veteran that passed away before the book could be published. It bears a dedication page that outlines the purpose of capturing the very essence of WWII and the veterans that are slowly slipping into history as time marches on.

The photographs are tastefully done which is why I reviewed the book. From classic 1940's fashion, to period lingerie all the photos capture that moment when women would have their photos taken to encourage their men as a way to remember what awaited them when they got home and that their sacrifice was not all in vain. Hollywood starlets joined the ranks from Betty Grable, Rita Hayworth, Veronica Lake and even Dorothy Lamore whose pictures as a pinup model raised more than $300 million dollars through war bond sales. These women became the inspiration that contributed to the pin up look that is captured in this book.

For those that love the planes and the history that goes along with them, Michael Malak takes you right into the heart of the cockpit as you fly the P51D Mustang, P-40 Warhawk, B-17G Fortress, BT-13B Valiant, SBD-4 Dauntless, and C-47 Skytrain. From plane specifications, service histories, flight crew stories, missions, and everything in between, you truly get an indepth inside look at some of those planes our service men and women have flown. The pictures of the aircraft alone gives readers a look inside some of these planes we might never see. All the aircraft in this volume are stored currently at Yanks Air Museum in Chino as well as the B-17G can be viewed at Palm Springs Air Museum if you want a closer look.

As if there isn't already enough, tucked between the pages of this hard cover book, Michael captures the big advertising companies of WWII from the story of Coca Cola and the War, to the Lucky Strike campaigns to lend their support to the war through rationing efforts in their packaging. There are some amazing artists that also shared their work thanks to Michael's inspriational photographs and commissioned their work to appear in this volume from Kelly X, Romain Hugault, Carlos Vlaenzuela, and Lorenzo Di Mauro give you that extra bonus that truly completes this collection. There are even some amazing stories called "fun facts" that share what happened on those beautiful shots that were captured and how difficult it was to obtain that perfect final look that you see in this book.

I received Wings of Angels: Tribute to the Art of WWII Pinup and Aviation by Michael Malak compliments of Schiffer Publishing for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. There is truly something for everyone in this book whether you love the planes, the fashion, the history, the advertising or the pinups, this is a great gift for just about any WWII fan of photography and history. I easily give this book a 5 out of 5 stars and don't forget when you pick this one up, you might want to grab volume 2 as well. Word has it there is even a 2015 Wings of Angels calendar available as well.

For more information about Wings of Angels: Tribute to the Art of WWII Pinup and Aviation, Michael Malak, or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Wings of Angels: Tribute to the Art of WWII Pinup and Aviation Volume 1 by Michael Malak

You can find Michael Malak on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest books and photography.

To order a limited edition commemorative set that includes both volumes in a slipcase for the true collector, please click here.