Thanks to everyone for showing so much interest in French Secret Projects - it is very encouraging to see so many suggestions and much appreciated. I will try and speak to Ian Allan next week to get their latest thoughts on the matter.
I must stress that any potential author will have to have the documents, or access to them, and be able to piece together the whole story. My lack of French-reading ability doesn't just block out writing the book, but also making sure that all of the research is done and that all of the material is in there. It really needs to be carried out by an expert.
A particular thank you Matthew for your offer of help. At the moment I cannot say what will happen, but can I keep your offer in mind please? I can say that at this stage Ian Allan were only talking about post-war fighters and bombers. 1930s and WW2 coverage would, by its nature, have to be a separate volume and in many respects that would depend as to how well the earlier volumes might have sold (if they happen of course).
As regards a BSP 5, I'm afraid that there are some problems. First of all major publishers almost never touch helicopters. They are perhaps the most versatile type of aircraft around, but it is a fact of life that they are not 'sexy' and never sell books - just look at how many titles appear on specific types. Sorry to be so negative about this, but I think that a helicopters BSP will probably never happen.
Transports and trainers perhaps fall into that category a little bit as well. Over the years I have concentrated on fighters and bombers because they are my great interest, and I have struck lucky in being able to write about them. Because of the costs involved however, I have generally restricted my research to these areas. I could well be wrong about this but, overall, I do not remember seeing the same level of documentation for trainers in various archives as I have for fighters and bombers. For example, trainers rarely generate any controversy.
However, transports might support a volume on their own. Some friends have told me I should do it but at the moment I don't have any documents at all. I would have to start from scratch and that will mean several years of research. But if anyone out there has the material to cover all of the RAF transport and heavy lift programmes since 1945 and would be prepared to try and put together say 90 to 100,000 words on the subject, I will gladly help as much as I can. That would include approaching Ian Allan for you (although I cannot promise that they would take it), and putting you in touch with many contacts.
Thanks again for all of your interest. Keep your fingers crossed that something comes out of all of this.
Tony.