Author Gavin Conroy has had unparalleled access to New Zealand's classic fighters, and specialises in close-up, air-to-air photography, which captures so much of the character and appeal of these extraordinary machines.

Precious Metal showcases all of the important aircraft flying in New Zealand. Included are the Supermarine Spitfire, the P-51D Mustang, the P-40 Kittyhawk, the FG-1D Corsair, the Hawker Hurricane, the P-40B Tomahawk, the Yak 3, the Lavochkin La-9 and, importantly, Germany's great fighter, the Focke Wulf 190. For all of the 15 aircraft featured, there is a short but informative text.

A high-quality, comprehensive book on photographs of classic fighters has never been produced in New Zealand before, and it is certain that this book will find its way onto the bookshelves of the thousands of passionate warbirds enthusiasts.

Gavin Conroy has a long-standing interest in aviation, first gaining his pilot's licence at the age of 16. He moved seriously into aviation photography six years ago, and since then has spent hundreds of hours planning and flying to put together the collection of photographs that form the basis of his book. When not taking photographs, he works in the timber industry and is based in Blenheim.