book briefs
page
turners
August 2018 FLYPAST 99Supersonic Seventies
http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
RAF In Camera – 1970s, Keith Wilson, Pen & Sword, hbk, illus,
390pp, £40
Author and photographer Keith Wilson (also see pages
124-129) takes up from where he left off with RAF In Camera- 1960s in order to take the reader on a journey through
another signifi cant decade, one that saw faster and more
versatile jets entering military service. All of the 1970s’
signifi cant RAF landmarks are referenced in this thorough,
well-researched and image-packed publication. Each chapter focuses on a specifi c
year, relaying all of the highlights that characterised it. Aircraft that entered RAF
service during the decade included the Jaguar GR.1, Harrier GR.3, Buccaneer S.2B,
Nimrod R.1, Hawk T.1, Sea King HAR.3 and many others, while only a relatively small
number of types were completely withdrawn. All are detailed and photographed in
this absorbing read.
Westland Wessex guide
http://www.haynes.com
Westland Wessex Owners’ Workshop Manual, Lee Howard,
Haynes, hbk, illus, 188pp, £25
Haynes Publishing’s latest manual examines the Westland
Wessex, a mainstay of the Royal Navy and RAF’s rotary-wing
inventory throughout the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. It provides
a useful and compelling insight into operating, fl ying and
maintaining the HAS Mk.1, HC Mk.2, HAS Mk.3, HCC Mk.4 and
HU Mk.5 variants of this easily recognisable and fondly
regarded machine. It acquired an array of affectionate nicknames during its 44 years
of service, such as ‘The Westland Fun Bus’ and ‘Walter’. Talking about the revered
helicopter, author Lee Howard comments: “The Wessex saw it all – and proved itself
as an all-round, versatile, robust and capable aircraft that was adapted to undertake
a multitude of diverse roles. It saw action in major operations around the world,
from Borneo to Norway.” Illustrated with more than 280 photographs and technical
schematics, this title joins Lee’s previous manuals profi ling the Westland Sea King
and Lynx.Great War diary
http://www.crecy.co.uk
The Ideals and Training of a Flying Offi cer, Roderick Ward
Maclennan, Crécy, hbk, 104pp, £7.99
I found this to be a truly captivating read. Roderick
Maclennan was the son of a Canadian lawyer who joined
the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in 1917. He kept a diary of his
experiences, and this publication is a faithful reproduction of
that journal. Maclennan wrote very simply about his service
(the book’s jacket describes his style as ‘beautifully naive’)
and he provides a vivid account of what it was like to learn
to fl y – and fi ght – during the Great War. As was common at
this time, Maclennan arrived in France with barely 63 hours in his logbook, and – like
many of his contemporaries – he did not last long. An oft-quoted statistic about the
RFC is that the average lifespan of a pilot in 1917 was three weeks. Maclennan joined
No.60 Squadron in France on November 28, and sadly was killed shortly before
Christmas. This book is an engaging account of his interesting but tragically short
life as a pilot. DAVE UNWINSix Weeks of Blenheim Summer by Alastair Panton, Penguin, sbk, 157pp, £8.99 – this fascinating
account describes low-level ‘ops’ fl own in Bristol Blenheims by Flt Lt Alastair Panton during
the Battle of France in 1940. Panton and his fl ight of three Blenheims, their crews and ground
personnel, led a nomadic existence. Though more used to fl ying from established bomber
bases, at times they operated from little more than landing strips, where they had to refuel
by hand. They once even helped to deliver a refugee’s baby! It’s a truly excellent book,
covering an often overlooked period of the war.
DAVE UNWIN http://www.penguin.co.ukExploring the Dams’ Lancs
http://www.wingleader.co.ukDambuster Lancaster, Mark Postlethwaite and Piotr Forkasiewicz, Red Kite, hbk, illus,
128pp, £30
Surprisingly little has been written about the Avro Lancaster B.III
Type 464, the version of the famous bomber that was used in the 1943
Dambusters operation. Only 23 of this particular variant existed and the
great majority were destined to fly only on the dams raid. This colourful
and engrossing book aims to add detail to our understanding of the type –
it also profiles each and every one of the machines built.
It has been put together by well-known aviation artist Mark
Postlethwaite GAvA (also see pages 120-123) who has worked alongside
Piotr Forkasiewicz, a leading digital artist. With the help of veterans and
historians, Piotr has created a superb 3D model that’s used as a basis
for many of the illustrations. Mark provides several of his own evocative
paintings to flesh out the story.
Enhanced by interesting text, this book enables the reader to explore
the Type 464 from inside and out for the first time. It also scrutinizes
the Upkeep bouncing bomb in detail, and explains the launch mechanism
and targeting strategy for this famous device. Dambuster Lancaster is
undoubtedly a fine – and unique – addition to the collection of anyone
fascinated by this legendary RAF ‘op’. Beautifully bound and presented,
it is also a worthy tribute to the aircraft that made history that night in
May 1943.Aircraft fridge magnets
http://www.die-magnetbox.de
While visiting
Friedrichshafen in
Germany for the 2018
General Aviation show
AERO, I came across
this beautiful fridge
magnet set featuring
a de Havilland Tiger Moth towing a T-21 Sedbergh, and just had to buy
it! Handmade in Stuttgart by Patricia and Dominik, Magnetbox offers a
wide collection of very finely detailed aircraft fridge magnets, ranging
from classic fighters to contemporary light aircraft. They also offer
a ‘bespoke’ service and will make an item of your choice, accurately
painted and with the correct registration. Prices vary greatly, but one
thing’s for sure – any recipient of these charming (and unique, in the
case of the bespoke ones) curios will be delighted. DAVE UNWIN