FLYING BOATS – AIR TRAVEL IN THE GOLDEN AGE
Book: 189-page softback
Written by: Charles Woodley
Pric e: £17. 9 9
This interesting compendium recreates in considerable
detail the vanished world of large, passenger-carrying
marine aircraft. It begins with the observation that travel
from Britain to an empire that spanned the globe was a
tedious and time-consuming process by sea. Speedier transportation
of all-important mail and passengers was met by Imperial Airways
Short Empire-class ying boats in the 1930s. This rst chapter is then
followed by turning the focus on Pan American’s Sikorsky S-42s used
in the Paci c.
The story moves on to the beginnings of transatlantic travel which
included Pan American Boeing 314 and S-42 operations to the UK.
‘Wartime Interlude’ explains how Foynes in south-western Ireland
became a major terminal. Subsequent chapter titles include ‘The
Princess Flying Boat’, ‘Aquila Airways’, ‘Australia and the South Paci c’,
‘South American Operations’ and ‘Norwegian Coastal Services’. The
nal chapter covers preserved ying boats, and there is an appendix
detailing Foynes’ ying boat movements during September 1943 and
another giving eet lists of major operators.
Inevitably, with far more efficient landplanes and the new airports to
sustain them, the ying boat had had its day and only a few remained
in service by the end of the 1950s. In the author’s words: “This book
sets out to do justice to an age of glamorous, unhurried air travel,
unrecognisable to most of today’s air travellers.” With the aid of diary
extracts and vivid descriptions in contemporary letters, supported by 74
black white and 12 colour photographs, he has certainly succeeded.
Published by The History Press: ISBN 9780750970143, available
from http://www.thehistorypress.co.ukAIR WAR NORTHERN IRELAND – BRITAIN’S AIR ARMS
AND THE ‘BANDIT COUNTRY’ OF SOUTH ARMAGH,
OPERATION BANNER 1969-2007
Book: 157-page hardback
Written by: Steven Taylor
Price: £19.99
Famously referred to as ‘Bandit Country’ by a UK
government minister in 1975, South Armagh was
considered the most dangerous part of Northern Ireland
for the British Army and Royal Ulster Constabulary during the years of
violence known as ‘The Troubles’. So severe was the threat from roadside
bombs that the security forces had to rely heavi ly on helicopters to
conduct day-to-day operations. This is the story of their often-eventful
ights and the Provisional IRA’s efforts to shoot them down.
By the 1980s, Bessbrook Mill, the British Army’s main base in
County Armagh, had become Europe’s busiest heliport, with an
average of 600 ights in and out every week. Up to the end of ‘The
Troubles’ in the late 1990s, over 35 attacks were recorded against
British military aircraft in South Armagh. Only six helicopters were
brought down by hostile re, three of which were repaired and
eventually returned to service, but more than 20 suffered varying
amounts of damage.
All of these incidents are covered in detail with background
information on how the Provisionals acquired their weaponry, which
included rocket-propelled grenades, mortars and heavy machine guns,
many supplied by Libya. A very limited number of shoulder-launched
surface-to-air missiles were also acquired, but these proved unreliable
as well as being thwarted by jammers. This well-researched and often
riveting account is illustrated by 17 black and white photographs.
Published by Pen & Sword Aviation: ISBN 9781526721549;
available from http://www.pen-and-sword.co.ukTHE ROYAL AIR FORCE – THE FIRST ONE
HUNDRED YEARS
Book: 259-page hardback
Written by: John Buckley and Paul Beaver
Price: £20
A collaboration by two esteemed military historians results in
a masterful narrative of the RAF’s history with many thought-
provoking insights. Among aspects covered, the authors explain how the
force’s development has been inextricably linked with advances in technology.
Radar was a key example and, in the authors’ words: “By the outbreak of war
Britain’s was the most sophisticated air defence system in the world.”
The story begins with the struggle to establish an independent air force,
followed by more wrangles, political and military, in the 1920s when the
army and navy vied to regain control. That they failed to do so was largely
due to the RAF’s role in policing the far- ung Empire against rebellions.
A section entitled ‘The Road to War 1932-39’ details the RAF expansion
plans and the evolution of advanced aircraft, particularly ghters. By now,
the focus was primarily on national rather than imperial defence.
World War Two is dealt with in three sections: ‘The Defensive 1939-42’,
‘The Bomber Offensive 1939-45’ and ‘The Offensive 1942-45’. Then comes
others entitled ‘Nuclear Age’, ‘Cold War in Europe 1945-1989’ and ‘The
Wider World 1945-92’. The latter outlines the many con icts in which the
RAF took part, including Korea, Malaya, Suez, Aden and the Falklands.
The story continues with accounts of operations in Bosnia and the Gulf
Wars and a nal section, ‘Future Proo ng the RAF’. Illustrated with 24 black
and white photographs and 13 maps, this is a remarkably concise and
lucid summary of a complex subject.
Published by Oxford University Press: ISBN 9780198798033, available
from http://www.oup.comRAF BOMBER COMMAND 1939 TO 1945
OPERATIONS MANUAL
Book: 188-page hardback
Written by: Jonathan Falconer
Price: £25
This book encapsulates every aspect of the RAF’s
six-year bombing campaign during World War Two. The
author begins by explaining the chain of command from the highest level
down via the groups to the squadrons. The air eld building programme is
described from its inception during the 1930s Expansion Scheme through
to the extensive wartime construction efforts.
A chapter entitled ‘Bomber Boys’ covers – among other things –
training, bomber aircrew trades, tour length, survivability and morale. While
another details the aircraft types involved, from the early days of Whitleys
and Blenheims to the Lancaster, Halifax and Mosquito.
A chapter on ‘Bombs and Bullets’ contains comprehensive information
about weapon types, the various designs of gun turret and how bomb
loads were made up. ‘Finding the Target’ covers the numerous navigation
and bombing aids developed as the war progressed.
‘Bomber Tactics’ includes details of the Path nder Force, which marked
the targets for the Main Force to attack, and under the sub-heading
‘Bomber Support’ we nd out about the pioneering electronic warfare used
to foil enemy defences.
The chapter ‘Defending the Reich’ reveals the formidable array of
guns, night ghters and radar opposing the bombers and how they were
deployed. There are also sections on tracing missing aircrew, together with
bomber repair and salvage.
An appendix gives orders of battle and there is a bibliography. A surprising
amount of detail is packed into the text, resulting in an enlightening and
owing analysis of the bomber offensive. All of this is supported by 205 black
and white and 25 colour photographs, plus 27 maps and diagrams.
Published by Haynes Publishing: ISBN 9781785211928, available from
http://www.haynes.comXXXXXXXXX
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