Alex Vanags-Baginskis was born in Riga in 1927. During World War II he was based in Liepaja-Grobina with the Latvian flying training school Luftwaffen-Legion Lettland which produced most famous combat Latvian Airman such as Lt. Teodors Abrams and Zanis Tamsons. Vanags-Baginskis became an expert on aeronautical matters, specializing on Junkers 87 & 88 aircraft. Vanags-Baginskis' training instructor was a fellow Latvian Indulis Ozols. An earlier classmate was Brunis Rubess, to whom he gave his prized trophy (a Soviet Officers Map-Case). Brunis emigrated to Canada after WWII, becoming a high Executive with Volkswagen Canada and more recently on the Board of Governors of the Bank of Latvia.

After the war, Vanags-Baginskis went to Britain, where after several years he became an editor for the world-renowned Janes Military publishing company. His own work appeared in several books such as: Phoenix Triumphant by E. R. Hooton , and his own book Ju 87-Stuka published by Janes, and Tank Busters , published by Howell Press .

Vanags-Baginskis is a member of The German Philatelic Society in London, England. He has contributed much specialized information on Ostland and on aircraft over the years.