Page 26 - Aviation News (February 2020)

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ALARMSTART SOUTH AND FINAL The latest products for the MIG ALLEY – THE US AIR FORCE Flight Bag
DEFEAT: THE GERMAN FIGHTER IN KOREA 1950-53
A CENTURY OF AIR WARFARE WITH NINE (IX)
YANK BOMBER BOYS IN NORFOLK –
PILOT’S EXPERIENCE IN THE discerning aviation enthusiast Book: 336-page hardback
SQUADRON RAF – STILL GOING STRONG
A PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD OF THE
MEDITERRANEAN THEATRE 1941- Written by: Thomas McKelvey Cleaver
USAAF IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR
Book
44 AND NORMANDY, NORWAY Price: £25
Book
Written by: Gordon Thorburn
AND GERMANY 1944-45 Another masterly account of the air war in Korea
Written by: Peter W Bodle FRAeS
Price: £25.00
Book: 317-page hardback from the author of Holding the Line, one of
Price: £25.00
Written by: Patrick G Eriksson YANK BOMBER BOYS IN NORFOLK – our top ten books of 2019. This time it is the story of the USAF’s A CENTURY OF AIR WARFARE WITH NINE (IX)
Given IX Squadron’s century of service – it formed
Price: £20 A PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD OF THE involvement in the Korean War and a major myth is exploded in SQUADRON RAF – STILL GOING STRONG
Compiled from the photographic collections
as a Royal Flying Corps unit in December 1914 –
This very interesting book completes a trilogy on World War USAAF IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR the telling: the claimed 10:1 victory ratio of the F-86 Sabre over Book
author Gordon Thorburn begins his history with a
of individual troops and station photographic
Two German fi ghter pilots, titled after the Luftwa e’s equivalent Book the chiefl y Russian-fl own MiG-15. Largely a product of the USAF’s Written by: Gordon Thorburn
look at the origins of bombing and airborne radio.
sections, this unusual book gives a view of
of ‘Scramble’ in the RAF. There are few wartime Luftwa e Written by: Peter W Bodle FRAeS own propaganda, this fi gure remained unchallenged until the Price: £25.00
The unit was a pioneer in both elds.
US Army Air Force operations in Norfolk. The
members alive today, but the author had the foresight to Price: £25.00 Cold War’s end, when Soviet records were opened and could be
The excellent narrative describes the
primary aviation fare is the Consolidated B-24
record these experiences fi rst-hand before it was too late. The compared with American sources. The author reckons the true Given IX Squadron’s century of service – it formed
squadron’s early and inter-war history in
Liberator, but a scattering of other types,
subjects of this volume comprise the various war zones around Compiled from the photographic collections ratio to be around 1.5:1 and backs it with facts. as a Royal Flying Corps unit in December 1914 –
considerable detail, before the author embarks into an unusual
He analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing
the Mediterranean, notably Malta, Crete and North Africa, the of individual troops and station photographic US and RAF, appears, including a Bristol author Gordon Thorburn begins his history with a
Beau ghter, captioned on page 218 as a
presentation of its World War Two campaign. A run through of aircraft
Normandy Invasion and its aftermath and, fi nally, the last year of sections, this unusual book gives a view of jet fi ghters in great detail. The narrative and 62 black and white look at the origins of bombing and airborne radio.
“British medium bomber”. It is regrettable that some photographs
types and operations might be expected – IX Squadron Lancasters
the air battle over Germany. US Army Air Force operations in Norfolk. The photographs also cover the operations of all the other major The unit was a pioneer in both elds.
may or may not have been responsible for causing Tirpitz to capsize primary aviation fare is the Consolidated B-24 types in the confl ict, including the F-80 Shooting Star, F-84 The excellent narrative describes the
appear to have suffered in quality from being reproduced beyond
Overwhelming Allied superiority in the battles over northern
in an attack own alongside 617 Sqn, for example (opinions on which
their scanned dimensions, rather than from being more than seven
France e ectively destroyed the core of the German fi ghter Liberator, but a scattering of other types, Thunderjet, F-51 Mustang, F-82 Twin Mustang, B-26 Invader squadron’s early and inter-war history in
decades old.
unit dropped the vital Tallboy depend on which squadron personnel
defence. One veteran explains how focused and adequate training US and RAF , appears, including a Bristol and the opposing Yak-9 and Il-10. The B-29 bombing campaign considerable detail, before the author embarks into an unusual
one is talking to) – but instead the story is presented through the eyes
of pilots was impossible after 1943 and this was refl ected in their Beau ghter, captioned on page 218 as a The captions are generally weak, but sufficient to identify presentation of its World War Two campaign. A run through of aircraft features strongly and explains why severe losses forced a switch
locations and the units depicted, although most readers will simply
of different aircrew and groundcrew. The result is as engaging as it is
crippling losses. “British medium bomber” . It is regrettable that some photographs to night operations. types and operations might be expected – IX Squadron Lancasters
informative. appear to have suffered in quality from being reproduced beyond The recollections and views of the veterans are put within the be absorbed in the photographs. There are scenes of domesticity may or may not have been responsible for causing Tirpitz to capsize The ebb and fl ow of the ground war is very well described,
Through the Cold War, IX Squadron operated the Avro Lincoln and their scanned dimensions, rather than from being more than seven context of the theatre they fl ew in. Not all of the witnesses are and regular air eld life, as well as more harrowing images of crashed
in an attack own alongside 617 Sqn, for example (opinions on which showing how American air power proved a vital factor – not
English Electric Canberra, before returning to Avro with the Vulcan. The
and, in some cases, burning bombers. Those fortunate enough to
from the ranks of the ‘aces’ – they range from senior NCOs to decades old. without cost, however, as 816 fi ghter-bombers were shot down by
unit dropped the vital Tallboy depend on which squadron personnel
latter gave way to the Panavia Tornado as the unit once again took on
colonels and their stories include their experiences in captivity The captions are generally weak, but sufficient to identify live in or around Norfolk will enjoy the possibility of spotting a familiar
one is talking to) – but instead the story is presented through the eyes ground fi re, against 147 fi ghters lost in air-to-air combat. It is noted
a pioneering role, introducing the swing-wing strike aircraft into RAF locations and the units depicted, although most readers will simply after the war. A particularly interesting section describes fl ying air eld, pub or other location. This is a book to be dipped into at of different aircrew and groundcrew. The result is as engaging as it is that more bombs were dropped on North Korea between 1950
service. There are hair-raising accounts from crews involved in the be absorbed in the photographs. There are scenes of domesticity the Me 262 jet fi ghter in combat. There is also an account what it and 1953 than were dropped on Germany between 1939 and 1945.
leisure, rather than read cover to cover.
informative.
Published by Fonthill Media; ISBN9781781553565, available from
Tornado’s rst combat operations over Iraq in 1991 and coverage of and regular air eld life, as well as more harrowing images of crashed was like to take part in the devastating Sturmgruppe attacks on US Verdict: a superb book studded with personal reminiscences Through the Cold War, IX Squadron operated the Avro Lincoln and
subsequent action over the Balkans, Afghanistan and Libya. and, in some cases, burning bombers. Those fortunate enough to bomber formations and the tactics used. www.fonthillmedia.com English Electric Canberra, before returning to Avro with the Vulcan. The from the pilots of both sides.
All of the many photographs are reproduced in black and white,
A total of 57 photographs and 12 diagrams support the text. live in or around Norfolk will enjoy the possibility of spotting a familiar latter gave way to the Panavia Tornado as the unit once again took on Published by Osprey Publishing: ISBN9781472836083;
which is a pity given the many colour images of IX Squadron’s
Published by Amberley Publishing: ISBN9781445693323; air eld, pub or other location. This is a book to be dipped into at available from www.ospreypublishing.com a pioneering role, introducing the swing-wing strike aircraft into RAF FROM SPITFIRE TO METEOR
operations from more recent times. Readers will notice that the Bristol
available from www.amberley-books.com leisure, rather than read cover to cover. Book service. There are hair-raising accounts from crews involved in the
Scout shown on page 18 is a Bristol Fighter and might puzzle at Litening Written by: Albert Horton Tornado’s rst combat operations over Iraq in 1991 and coverage of AIR AMBULANCE OPERATIONS MANUAL –
Published by Fonthill Media; ISBN9781781553565, available from
being described as a radar defence pod rather than a targeting pod, but
THE HANDLEY PAGE VICTOR: www.fonthillmedia.com AN INSIGHT INTO THE ROLE AND subsequent action over the Balkans, Afghanistan and Libya.
Price: £9.75 plus postage
given the extent of the book’s coverage, these are minor criticisms.
TALES FROM A CREW CHIEF – 40 OPERATION OF HELICOPTER AIR All of the many photographs are reproduced in black and white,
Published by Pen & Sword Aviation; ISBN1783036346, available
Given the quality of reproduction of its black
YEARS OF LIFE WITH THE VICTOR AMBULANCES IN THE UK which is a pity given the many colour images of IX Squadron’s
and white photographs and inconsistent
from www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
Book: 128-page hardback FROM SPITFIRE TO METEOR Book: 172-page hardback operations from more recent times. Readers will notice that the Bristol
typography, the self-published origins of this
Written by: Roger R Brooks Book Written by: Claire Robinson Scout shown on page 18 is a Bristol Fighter and might puzzle at Litening
book are immediately apparent, but neither
OSPREY AIRCRAFT OF THE ACES
Price: £19.99 Written by: Albert Horton Price: £22.99 being described as a radar defence pod rather than a targeting pod, but
detracts from the excellence of its content,
– SPITFIRE ACES OF NORTHWEST
In this follow-up to the author’s two-volume Price: £9.75 plus postage A huge amount of information is presented in a given the extent of the book’s coverage, these are minor criticisms.
which essentially comprises the memoirs of
EUROPE 1944-45
The Handley Page Victor: The History and Development of a Given the quality of reproduction of its black highly readable manner, explaining how the focus Published by Pen & Sword Aviation; ISBN1783036346, available
Royal Air Force ghter pilot Albert Horton.
Book
Classic Jet, Brooks o ers a very interesting memoir of a career and white photographs and inconsistent of the air ambulance is now on bringing critical care to the patient from www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
Horton graduated onto the Supermarine Spit re in June 1949,
spanning four decades. Most of these he spent maintaining typography, the self-published origins of this and, if necessary, performing life-saving surgery in situ.
Written by: Andrew Thomas
this charismatic aircraft and, even after retirement, he worked book are immediately apparent, but neither after training on the de Havilland Tiger Moth and North American OSPREY AIRCRAFT OF THE ACES
The book begins with an account of the origins of air
Price: £13.99
Harvard. Moving on from the Merlin-engined Mk 16, he accumulated
on the preserved Victors at the Duxford and Elvington detracts from the excellence of its content, ambulances in the UK, the fi rst chapter outlines the 21 London – SPITFIRE ACES OF NORTHWEST
This new title from Osprey is number 122 in its
the majority of his Spit re hours on the PR.Mk 19 and FR.Mk 18,
museums. It is evident from his descriptions of the amount which essentially comprises the memoirs of and regional services. The second features a typical operator, the EUROPE 1944-45
acclaimed Aircraft of the Aces series and the
both of them Griffon engined. Photographic reconnaissance became
of work involved in keeping an aircraft serviceable just how Royal Air Force ghter pilot Albert Horton. Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, including its aircrew and Book
fact that it is written by RAF authority Andrew Thomas, with cover
his speciality and Horton was posted to the Middle East with 208
much the fl yers rely on their ground crews. The author covers critical care teams, back-up fundraisers and volunteers, as well
Horton graduated onto the Supermarine Spit re in June 1949,
Squadron.
artwork by Mark Postlethwaite and colour pro les by Chris Thomas,
in detail some of the jobs he had to perform, some routine, after training on the de Havilland Tiger Moth and North American as its close working relationship with the NHS. Its AW169 gets a Written by: Andrew Thomas
all under the careful editorial guidance of Tony Holmes, will add up to Harvard. Moving on from the Merlin-engined Mk 16, he accumulated others less pleasant. comprehensive chapter covering its advanced systems, ‘anatomy’, Price: £13.99
His was a fascinating time, for the RAF was transitioning to jets
and he made the change from piston power to the Gloster Meteor
recommendation enough for many readers. the majority of his Spit re hours on the PR.Mk 19 and FR.Mk 18, Based at RAF Marham in Norfolk, his responsibilities centred maintenance and fl ight characteristics. This new title from Osprey is number 122 in its
For those not familiar with Aircraft of the Aces, this would be an both of them Griffon engined. Photographic reconnaissance became on the Victor tanker variants, beginning with the B(K)1 and 1A and FR.Mk 9, gleefully noting that he ew faster in a Spit re than he was
The chapter entitled ‘The Air Ambulance in Action’ describes
acclaimed Aircraft of the Aces series and the
permitted to in the Meteor. Horton gives engaging recollections of
excellent rst volume. Dealing with the Supermarine Spit re in its
moving on to the B(K)2. However, the author also followed the his speciality and Horton was posted to the Middle East with 208 in detail a typical e mergency sortie by the Dorset helicopter from
fact that it is written by RAF authority Andrew Thomas, with cover
last year of service over Northwest Europe, it abounds with artwork,
Victors all over the world in support of RAF deployments. As a Squadron. ying in the relative freedom of the immediate post-war world and the
artwork by Mark Postlethwaite and colour pro les by Chris Thomas, beginning to end. In an interesting approach the author sourced
photographs and rst-hand accounts set into Andrew Thomas’s His was a fascinating time, for the RAF was transitioning to jets crew chief he often fl ew in them and his account of taking a Victor excitement of service life. all under the careful editorial guidance of Tony Holmes, will add up to input from several patients who almost certainly owe their lives
authoritatively researched narrative. The beautifully rendered pro les and he made the change from piston power to the Gloster Meteor to a Battle of Britain airshow at RAF Finningley, South Yorkshire, is to the team. Aided by 231 colour and nine black and white recommendation enough for many readers.
This is a book written by someone who was there, and his
passion for ying and the Spit re in particular, shines through.
– 36 altogether – illustrate Mks VB, VII, IX and XVI, and are complete FR.Mk 9, gleefully noting that he ew faster in a Spit re than he was especially entertaining. photographs, the author has done an excellent job of telling For those not familiar with Aircraft of the Aces, this would be an
with extensive captions. An appendix detailing individual pilot scores, permitted to in the Meteor. Horton gives engaging recollections of This is a rare insight into a highly important, but often how the whole complex operation fi ts together. In addition to excellent rst volume. Dealing with the Supermarine Spit re in its
Although it repeats a couple of photographs and would bene t from
a bibliography and comprehensive index round off another superb ying in the relative freedom of the immediate post-war world and the overlooked, aspect of RAF activities. The text is accompanied by tighter editing in places, this modest book is recommended as an last year of service over Northwest Europe, it abounds with artwork, the aviation enthusiast fraternity, this book will appeal to a much
package from Osprey.
engaging, illuminating and entertaining read.
32 black and white photographs. excitement of service life. wider audience. photographs and rst-hand accounts set into Andrew Thomas’s
Published by Osprey Publishing Ltd; ISBN9781782003380,
authoritatively researched narrative. The beautifully rendered pro les Published by Haynes Publishing: ISBN9781785212062;
Published by Pen & Sword Aviation: ISBN9781526732576; This is a book written by someone who was there, and his Published by Robert Davies; ISBN9781291969085, available from
available from www.ospreypublishing.com
available from www.pen-and-sword.co.uk passion for ying and the Spit re in particular, shines through. www.lulu.com – 36 altogether – illustrate Mks VB, VII, IX and XVI, and are complete available from www.haynes.com
Although it repeats a couple of photographs and would bene t from with extensive captions. An appendix detailing individual pilot scores,
36 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014
24 tighter editing in places, this modest book is recommended as an AVIATION NEWS FEBRUARY 2020
a bibliography and comprehensive index round off another superb
engaging, illuminating and entertaining read. package from Osprey.
Published by Robert Davies; ISBN9781291969085, available from Published by Osprey Publishing Ltd; ISBN9781782003380,
36_FlightBagDC.mf.indd 36 03/10/2014 14:40
available from www.ospreypublishing.com
24_flightbagDC.mf.indd 24 www.lulu.com 09/01/2020 11:43
Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft November 2014 36
03/10/2014 14:40 36_FlightBagDC.mf.indd 36