Interactable Flight Log Reproductions

[Artfactial]

Hello!

 

I like immersing myself into the WW2 experience, so decided to keep a flight log.
I know Ansirial has made the beautiful and sophisticated logbook tool, but it is limited to campaigns.
Likewise, PWCG has an integrated log, but again, tied to its campaigns.

I wanted something more authentic besides these awesome tools. Something that could be kept as a cross-campaign, inter-mission log. Tying your (or a particular pilot’s) career together.

So, I dusted of my Indesign skills and started to recreate/reproduce the pilot flight log books of the various powers. This is, in the first place, for my own use. So, I’ll recreate the books for those nations I’d like to fly.
At the moment my plans include the Luftwaffe, the RAF and the USAF. I’d like to do the VVS, but I know neither Cyrillic or Russian and, since authenticity is a high priority, much will be lost in transcribing it to the Latin alphabet, this will be something for later down the line.
Practicality isn’t too important here, there is a lot of data that doesn’t get a proper place in many of these books, and the data can vary quite a bit from nation to nation.

 

They are interactive PDFs, so you can either fill them in digitally, or print them out.
Filling the PDF can be done in Acrobat Reader, but I’d recommend getting a free alternative, such as PDF Fill so you can do things like turn off the interaction field highlights and pick your own script font for your inserted text.

 

-Luftwaffe Flugbuch in its 1941 version.
It comes in the original German and in an English translation. For each version there is an authentic Luftwaffe emblem edition and a censored one (in the style of IL-2) where the swastika has been switched out.(Major rework in progress)

 

-Commonwealth's Pilot Flight Log Book 1941.
Included are the c.a. 1941 versions of the RAF, RCAF, RAAF, RNZAF and Indian pilots logs.

 

-Commonwealth's Pilot Flight Log Book WW1

Includes the 1916 RFC version and the slightly updated RAF 1918 version.

 

-France's Carnet d'Emploi du Temps WW1
Included is the 1918 version in original French or English. A 1916 version is in the works but will require extensive custom typfaces.

 

I’ll update this OP whenever I have a new flight log available.

Edited December 23, 2024 by Artfactial
Different PDF form filler software recommendation.

[LuftManu]

Thanks!

[Artfactial]

I uploaded version 1.1 of the '41 Flugbuch. It mainly changes the spine fold to another method of implementation as some PDF viewers/editor softwares were having issues displaying it.
On that note, I have been doing some digging and foun (so far) that PDF Fill is the best free option for filling in interactable PDFs. It is also quite cheap to upgrade at a one time $20,- payment where others are subscription models or are anywhere between $50-$400.

 

I've been doing more research. I've found 1942 (very much less fancier)Flugbuch examples, so will probably recreate that one as well.
I have had very little luck with finding Soviet VVS flight logs. The official logs I have found are no earlier than 1950.
I have got a Soviet 1937 flight log book, but I'm not sure if it is official or even military issue.

[Artfactial]

I'm working on the standard WW2 flight log for the Commonwealth nations, those will include the RAF, RCAF, RAAF and RNZAF.
There's some variations on the type faces used and form details but I'll see if I'm willing to do those.

 

[Artfactial]

Oops. Forgot to upload the first release version.
Here's the Commonwealth's Pilot Flight Log Book.
Included are the c.a. 1941 versions of the RAF, RCAF, RAAF, RNZAF and Indian pilots logs.
Most difference is in the cover, but a few have specialized contents.
I have a collection of later war and WW1 versions as well so will be recreating those at some point as well.

 

[Isra]

 thanks very much Sir ...

[Artfactial]

You're welcome.:)
Aaand, there's an error in the very first text on the very first page. FML.

Edit: Fixed, updated Commonwealth pdfs to v1.01.

Edited August 2, 2024 by Artfactial

[Artfactial]

I'm updating and cleaning up the 1941 Flugbuch before moving to new versions and nations.
Do people prefer the paper texture background currently in the Flugbuch, or just blank white background as done in the Commonbwealth Pilot's Log?

[Artfactial]

Alright, so there is a wide variety of Luftwaffe Flugbuch editions around and I can't fully pin down which versions were used in what time period.
There is a cheap paperback rectangular version(currently have 5 variants) which appears to have been most used, and then there is a hardcover faux-leather with Luftwaffe emblem version(currently have 4 variants which can be dated a bit more accurately). There is an instance of a pilot using both at the same time so I'm kind of at a loss what the purpose of the different versions is.
Regardless, I have cleaned up the 1941 versions and will now transform that into the basic paperback edition. (which uses the format of the current pdf)
Then, I will make a 1939 and 1941 version of the hardcover edition.

 

Next nation covered might be the USAF.

Edited August 12, 2024 by Artfactial

[Artfactial]

Update:

-I've nearly completed an overhaul of the Luftwaffe Flugbuchs. A selection of variants of the paperback version is done. I need to do the same for the fancier hardcover version.

 

-I've started work on the Commonwealth WW1 Pilot's Flight Log used by many. It looks like it was introduced in 1916, as flightlogs I have found from before that date were just notebooks.

 

-I've got a good selection of French flight logs too (both WW1 and WW2, with little difference).

Edited September 28, 2024 by Artfactial

[Artfactial]

Alright, first Commonwealth WW1 Pilot's Flight Log books have been uploaded (see OP).
This includes the 1916 RFC version and the slightly updated RAF 1918 version. It is hard to determine the exact first issue of these different versions, but the given dates are the earliest I have found examples of.  Before 1916 all logs appear to have been commercial notebooks. The data fields required in the official version didn't appear to appease the pilots as most examples have personal additions to raster and form headers.
I have found a fun specimen where the commanding officer had added a note on how to use the log book which might be included in later releases.

Feel free to let me know any errors or interesting examples/variations you might have found.

[Artfactial]

Alright, the first French flight log reproduction has been uploaded.
Included is the 1918 version. A 1916 version is in the works but will require extensive custom typeface with a fantastic cursive script.
A translated edition of the 1918 version will follow but will also require more work since it uses a lot of unique font variations I had to recreate.

 

Pre-1916 French flight logs appear to have been commercial note books with no uniformity.
Even these official versions were not to the liking of the pilots as most of them included custom raster additions, edits and extra information.

[Artfactial]

Alright, the translated English version of the 1918 Carnet d'emploi du temps has been uploaded.
I didn't spend as much time trying to perfect the replication of its particular font quirks but it is close enough for now.
If any experienced French speakers have feedback on how some things could be translated or worded better I am all ears.:)

 

I have been working on the 1917 German Flugbuch so that will most likely come next.

 

Happy holidays!

Edited December 21, 2024 by Artfactial