NEIL LEWIS
One of the unsung greats of aviation publishing has passed away. Chances are that you have never heard of Neil Lewis until now and had no idea that Neil, in some way or another, was involved in just about every aviation book on your shelf. Neil and his business partner, Chris Salter, founded Midland Counties Publications (mail order) in the 1970s, and then followed up with Midland Publishing a few years later. Midland produced some of the most significant aircraft books published in the UK. Without Neil, there would be no secret projects books in the UK and without doubt the entire genre started when Neil took a chance on publishing, in English, the Luftwaffe Secret Projects series.
On retirement, Neil ‘kept his hand in’ as editor and production advisor for many books on a wide range of aerospace subjects, especially for new authors. His encyclopaedic knowledge of every aspect of aviation was invaluable to an aviation writer and Neil launched many a career in aviation writing. As aviation writers we considered him a great friend and, of course, mentor, and for readers of aviation books he has had a hand in too many to mention.
Neil will be greatly missed and we send our heartfelt condolences to his family.His influence
