book briefs
page
turners
January 2018 FLYPAST 93Defi nitive History
http://www.thehistorypress.co.uk
The Royal Air Force Day By Day 1918-2018 – Air Cdre
Graham Pitchfork, The History Press, hbk, illus, 424pp, £50
The previous edition of this valuable reference has
been brought up to date to mark the centenary of the
formation of the RAF in 1918. It is a diary of signifi cant
daily events, brilliantly compiled by author and
regular FlyPast correspondent Graham Pitchfork, and
provides a compelling and easy-to-use guide to the air
force’s long history. It describes not only the great air
battles and major events, but also the less celebrated
but no less important activities and traditions of the ever-changing RAF. The
experiences of air and ground personnel during war and peacetime are central to
the book. The entries are generously illustrated in this hardback volume, which
delivers a fascinating combination of the exceptional and the relatively routine.
A considerable achievement by its author, this book has been published at the
request of the RAF as part of the celebrations for its 100th anniversary.Indian Air Force
http://www.bloomsbury.com
Spitfi re Singh – A True Life of Relentless Adventure, Mike
Edwards MBE, Bloomsbury, sbk, illus, 402pp, £12.99
Author Mike Edwards recounts the history of the Indian
Air Force (IAF), and of how its personnel overcame
prejudice and disparagement. The fl edgling IAF met
challenges with great determination. This is the story
of Harjinder Singh and his band of men who against all
odds made the vision of the IAF a reality. It is more than
an account of aircraft and military actions. Above all it
follows Harjinder’s journey, describing how he became
a top-ranking offi cer. Spanning decades, it refl ects on
the air force’s many adventures from the scrublands of the North-West Frontier
Province, the jungles of Burma, the UK on the eve of D-Day, to the corridors
of power in an independent India. Be it the formidable Japanese, the powerful
Germans or the resolute tribal warriors, none could break the spirit of these
airborne Indians. It is a little-known story, well told.Photographic Odyssey
http://www.fighting-high-books.myshopify.com
Slybirds - The 353rd Fighter Group, Graham Cross. Fighting
High, hbk, illus, £29.95
This beautifully produced landscape format book tells
the story of a UK-based USAAF Fighter Group (FG)
during World War Two. It is largely a pictorial record
with detailed and informative captions to each of the
several hundred photographs. The 353rd FG was initially part of the Eighth Air
Force, and began operations escorting long-range daylight bombing raids over
Europe in June 1943. Initially fl ying Republic P-47 Thunderbolts, in October
1944 the Group converted to North American P-51 Mustangs. This book covers
all aspects of its operations and constituent squadrons with an amazing wealth
of images – including some real surprises, such as British-supplied Proctors
and Oxfords in ‘star and bar’ markings. As well as being of interest to general
readers, this is a very useful book for modellers seeking detailed archive
pictures. ANDREW THOMASJunkers Ju 88 – The Early Years – Blitzkrieg to the Blitz, Chris Goss, Frontline, sbk, illus, £14.99- designed as a fast bomber that could outrun the fi ghters of the era, the Junkers Ju 88
became one of Germany’s most versatile World War Two aircraft. Written by frequent FlyPast
correspondent Chris Goss, this book features an unrivalled selection of archive images
collected over many years. The operations of this famous aircraft are portrayed from the
beginning of the war, through the Blitzkrieg and the Battle of France, to the Battle of Britain
and into a training role. The author is a respected authority on Luftwaffe history, and his
knowledge shines through in this publication. http://www.frontline-books.com
Lightning F.3 pewter model –
and new merchandise
http://www.staplesandvine.com
A superb new 1:72 scale model of the English Electric Lightning F.3 is among the
latest works from Staples and Vine (formerly Diverse Images).
The aircraft featured, XR749, was one of the last F.3s to be built and this mark
continued to operate in a training role until the Lightning was withdrawn from
service in 1988. The aircraft is depicted as it appeared in October 1985 when
assigned to the Lightning Training Flight at Binbrook, Lincolnshire, and carries the
name of pilot Flt Lt Mike Hale.
This was the year of the unit’s tenth anniversary and the barley and light aircraft
grey scheme of that era was topped off with additional paintwork to mark the
occasion. This consisted of a blue spine and fi n, and on the latter a large white
disc with the unit’s lion emblem in an equally bright blue, and the white code ‘DA’.
In its earlier career with 11 Squadron, XR749, fl own by Mike Hale, became famous
for being the only NATO jet to overtake Concorde during a training exercise. In
another training event in this jet he also managed to intercept a Lockheed U-2 at
66,000ft, a feat previously considered impossible.
Limited to 25 pieces, each costing £179 plus delivery, the model comes on a base,
with two optional crew fi gures available at £15 each.
In addition to this, the Staples and Vine range of high
quality t-shirts and mugs has expanded to feature
fi f t y exclusive designs of aircraft and
tanks, ranging from the
Gloster Gladiator to
the F-22 Raptor. Tanks
featured include all
the main wartime
German battle
tanks along with
their British
counterparts.
The shirts cost
£24.99, and mugs cost
£12.50, plus delivery.with two optional crew fi gures available at £15 each.
In addition to this, the Staples and Vine range of high
quality t-shirts and mugs has expanded to feature
fi f t y exclusive designs of aircraft and
tanks, ranging from the
Gloster Gladiator to
the F-22 Raptor. Tanks
featured include all
the main wartime
German battle
tanks along with
their BritishThe shirts cost
£24.99, and mugs cost
£12.50, plus delivery.