Osprey World War 1 aviation author Norman Franks sadly passed away on 21 May 2023 at the age of 83 following a brief period of illness. Whilst still working as an Organisation and Methods Officer with the Nationwide Building Society, Norman has his first book published in 1976. By the time he ‘retired’ from writing more than 40 years later, he had authored more than 120 titles – 11 of them for Osprey in its Aircraft of the Aces series. A founding member of the Cross and Cockade society for World War 1 aviation historians, which was established in 1970, Norman was also an early member of Over the Front which also focused on the exploits of the aviators of the Great War. Although World War 1 was clearly an area of particular interest to him, Norman was also the author of books on RAF and Commonwealth pilots and squadrons in World War 2. Fellow Osprey author and World War 1 historian Greg Vanwyngarden noted, ‘There can be few dedicated World War 1 aviation enthusiasts who do not know the name Norman Franks, and who don’t have some of his many, many books on their shelves. Norman’s strong impetus behind, and contributions to, the world of Great War publishing provided the groundwork for so many of us. He got the work done, and published in a form accessible to all’. Osprey Publishing wishes to pass on its condolences to Norman’s wife, Heather.