WHAT’S NEW NEW PRODUCT REVIEWS
50 FLYPAST November 2018
Maritime colossus
http://www.grubstreet.co.uk
Shackleton Boys Volume 1, Steve Bond, Grub Street, hbk, illus, 256pp, £25
Due to the scale of the subject matter, author Steve Bond has divided his latest
work into two parts, with the second to be published next year. Shackleton Boys
Volume 1 covers UK-based Avro Shackleton units fl ying from Ballykelly (including
Aldergrove), Farnborough, Honington, Kinloss, Lossiemouth, St Eval and St Mawgan,
plus various overseas detachments including Christmas Island and Majunga.
As with all of the eminently readable ...Boys series, it features informative and
entertaining stories from air and groundcrew veterans. Complementing these
detailed personal accounts are hundreds of original photographs and extensive
appendices. The Shackleton was the RAF’s fi rst line of defence in the maritime role
from 1951 for 20 years, thereafter continuing to serve as an airborne early warning
platform for another two decades, until 1991. This superb collection proves the
‘Shack’ is still viewed with great affection by those who fl ew and maintained it. In addition to its submarine-
hunting role, it was also used extensively for search and rescue operations, and even as a conventional bomber
in Aden. The second volume will profi le squadrons based overseas at Changi, Gibraltar and Luqa, among others,
plus South African Air Force operations.
The dream
that died
http://www.crecy.co.uk
TSR2 – Britain’s Lost
Cold War Strike Aircraft,
Tim McLelland with
Tony Buttler, Crécy
Publishing, hbk, illus,
184pp, £24.95
This revised edition of
a book fi rst published
in 2010 adds more
information about one of the most discussed
British aircraft projects in history. The tale of the
BAC TSR2’s creation and subsequent abandonment
has fascinated enthusiasts for decades – partly
because the machine was (in the early 1960s) so
forward-looking and futuristic, and also because so
much of the story has been shrouded in secrecy.
The TSR2 project was cancelled before it even
completed its fl ight-test programme, and debate
surrounding its true potential has raged ever since.
Had it succeeded, the jet could have signifi cantly
advanced Britain’s standing in nuclear strike and
reconnaissance technology. Some claim that its
sudden withdrawal sounded the death knell for
British military aviation. This expanded version of
the aptly titled TSR2 – Britain’s Lost Cold War Strike
Aircraft includes fresh material in the form of
extracts from previously classifi ed documentation,
such as systems illustrations and descriptions.
Historian and FlyPast contributor Tony Buttler adds
to the late Tim McLelland’s text with a chapter
detailing the doomed attempt to replace the TSR2
with the General Dynamics F-111.Distance vision
http://www.hilkinson.co.uk /
http://www.vikingoptical.co.uk
If you’re the type of aviation enthusiast who doesn’t
want to miss any action at airshows, or simply
appreciates a better view of overfl ying aircraft while
in the garden, these Hilkinson binoculars are just the
ticket. The traditionally styled 15 x 70 Classicline set
(left) are priced at £149.99 and offer seriously good
quality of view, without being too heavy. There’s
right-eye +/- adjustment and a super-smooth central
focusing wheel, while lens covers, a padded strap and
protective bag (with its own strap) are also supplied.
The fi rm’s 20 x 80 Skyline binoculars are the same
price but are longer, having larger objective
(front) lenses, and greater magnifi cation,
but they are heavier, so a mono/tripod
adapter is included,
as well as lens
covers, a sturdy
bag and strap.
Simply pick
your spot, get
comfy and enjoy
the view! Our
samples were
kindly loaned by
Viking Optical.Operations Manual
http://www.haynes.com
RAF Bomber Command 1939-1945, Jonathan Falconer, Haynes Publishing, hbk,
illus, 188pp, £25
The latest publication from Haynes – presented in the style of the classic
1970s and ’80s car manuals – covers all aspects of RAF Bomber Command
‘ops’ over Germany during World War Two. From the catastrophic losses of
the daylight raids in 1939 and 1940, through to the controversial night-time
area bombing that followed, the book chronicles the Command’s evolution. It
covers the organisation, equipment, men, machines, technology and tactics of
the offensive, and also highlights the personal sacrifi ce and challenges faced
by crews. Author Jonathan Falconer commented: “The statistics are startling.
In 1942, less than half of all heavy bomber crews would get through their
fi rst 30-operation tour. My book has its roots in a title I wrote over 20 years ago. Since then a wealth of new
information and imagery has come to light. This has allowed me to include fi ve new chapters covering airfi eld
building, psychological stress, the German defences, building new aircraft versus repairing damaged ones, and
the role of backroom data analysts.” It is a compelling and richly illustrated read from start to fi nish.Die-cast delight
http://www.corgi.co.uk
It’s 20 years since Corgi launched its Aviation Archive aircraft die-cast range, and to mark the achievement
it’s released this limited edition 1/72 C-47A Skytrain model. The replica also
highlights the beginning of the Berlin Airlift in 1948, via the markings of one
of the cargo-carrying
participants, the USAF’s
315208 Fassberg Flyer.
This model, which is
limited to 1,000 units, sports
convincing Olive
Drab and Neutral
Gray camoufl age
(with weathered
portions), and
alternative parts
for undercarriage up/down are
provided. Finer details include antennas,
spinning propellers and aircrew fi gures
(seated in the cockpit). A chunky metal
display stand also features, as does a
numbered collector card.