Production Update from Houston…
Exciting News!
The printing process is underway…
This is the book cover color, which will have the Bomber Boys logo embedded, with a silver foil overlay.
The Dust Jacket…
The Opening Spread…
Proofing the Color, page by page.
Agonizing over the details…
The stack of color proofs was over 3 inches high, and took 7+ hours to review.
The floor of the printing facility in Houston, which is a 24/7 operation.
Rapid Progress Being Made…
On Monday, 17 October, I traveled to Houston, Texas to meet with my graphic designer, Daren Guillory, and our printer, Samir Parikh, of RR Donnelley. Daren has been working with Samir on various printing projects for 20 years, and has an excellent working relationship with this well established firm.
After many months of diligent work, the design work is done, the copy has been edited, and the index created. The book is a little over 12 inches square, just over 1 inch thick, and weighs almost six pounds!
At 398 pages, it should offer a unique look at over 100 jackets, many never before seen in public, and numerous stories. There are even a few surprises, which we think will be a delight.
In addition there is a fascinating chapter on how these jackets influenced fashion design worldwide, a section on caring for them, and lastly an informed chapter on collecting them by Jeff Shrader, a well known militaria appraiser.
To top if off, the index is over eight double-columned pages, and makes it easy to reference jackets by any number of criteria.
Jackets from all combat theaters are featured, along with a brief history of their evolution, and several informative maps. Not to be overlooked are six aircraft illustrations by noted aviation artist and historian John Mollison, which provide context for our younger readers. Portraits of over 25 combat veterans are featured as well.
As the publication date nears, the website will be updated with a downloadable PDF Jacket Spread Sheet that lists each jacket by manufacturer (if known), by source, size, unit, and page shown in the book. Interview links are being created, and fine art prints will be offered for the discerning personal or corporate collector.
The final proofs were approved on Wednesday of this week, and we’ll be “on press” beginning next week on Wednesday 26 October. I’m told the printing process is about two weeks long for a book this size, and about three weeks for the folding, trimming, and binding process to run its course.
With any luck at all, you’ll have books in hand by Thanksgiving. We are extremely appreciative of your patience and financial support throughout this process, and trust that the end result will meet with your approval.
Please let us know your thoughts once you’ve had a chance to look it over, and please, tell your friends about the book too.
Again, Many Thanks!
John Slemp and the Team
