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The process to deliver a modern combat aircraft from concept to
introduction to service is often measured in decades. Described as
a weapon system, modern designs such as the Eurofighter Typhoon are
intricate jigsaws with a fusion of new techniques and sometimes
unproven, emerging technologies. By the time the new weapons system
reaches the front line, it will have been tested by the
manufacturer, evaluated by test pilots, and assessed by service
pilots. There have been examples of success but also some
spectacular failures, with projects cancelled late in development.
This book will investigate why. It will take you from the original
requirement through the complex testing and evaluation process,
showing recent examples of the path to declaring a new combat
aircraft operational on the front line. It will look at how today's
test organisations have matured to meet the task and investigate
the pressures they face, and will also look at real-life examples
of systems testing. David Gledhill and David Lewis, both
experienced test evaluators, will uncover the reasons why some
aircraft serve on the front line for years before becoming truly
effective in their role.
Have you read stories of 'derring-do' from former operational
aircrew and been left wondering what went on in the hangars and on
the airfields, as those aircraft were serviced and prepared for
flight? In this edition of the Boys series, you'll discover the
true stories of life on the flight line, written by those who
served. Some of them are humorous, some are thought provoking but
for sure the reader will be engrossed. Twenty engineers, some
former groundcrew, some engineering officers but including
enthusiastic aircraft restorers, recall stories of incidents around
the world, about aircraft as diverse as the Phantom, the Shackleton
and the Sea Harrier. Although some of the stories reflect on
incidents where things went wrong, and are told in a typically
ribald manner, the dedication and professionalism of the people who
serviced these front-line aircraft could never be in doubt. The men
and women of the British armed forces rank amongst the best in the
world. It will also be apparent that their love did not end with
retirement and many of the groundcrew went on to work for companies
designing the next generation of aircraft. Some dedicate their
spare time to restoring their former war machines so that future
generations will enjoy their heritage. The stories are collated and
set in context by aviation author David Gledhill and are
illustrated with photographs, many from the groundcrew themselves
and previously unpublished. A must for all aficionados of the Boys
series.
The Panavia Tornado was designed as a multi-role combat aircraft to
meet the needs of Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. Since the
prototype flew in 1974, nearly 1000 Tornados have been produced in
a number of variants serving as a fighter-bomber, a fighter and in
the reconnaissance and electronic suppression roles. Deployed
operationally in numerous theatres throughout the world, the
Tornado has proved to be exceptionally capable and flexible. From
its early Cold War roles it adapted to the rigours of expeditionary
warfare from The Gulf to Kosovo to Afghanistan. The early "dumb"
bombs were replaced by laser-guided weapons and cruise missiles and
in the air-to-air arena fitted with the AMRAAM and ASRAAM
missiles.In this book David Gledhill explores the range of
capabilities and, having flown the Tornado F2 and F3 Air Defence
Variant, offers an insight into life in the cockpit of the Tornado.
Lavishly illustrated, Darren Willmin's superb photographs capture
the essence of the machine both from the ground and in the air.This
unique collection including some of David Gledhill's own air-to-air
pictures of the Tornado F2 and F3 will appeal to everyone with an
interest in this iconic aircraft.
The Names of Plants is an invaluable reference for botanists and
horticulturalists. The first section gives an historical account of
the significant changes in the ways that plants have been known and
named. It documents the problems associated with an ever-increasing
number of common names of plants, and the resolution of these
problems through the introduction of International Codes for both
botanical and horticultural nomenclature. It also outlines the
rules to be followed when plant breeders name a new species or
cultivar. The second section comprises a glossary of generic and
specific plant names, and components of these, from which the
reader may interpret the existing names of plants and construct new
names. With explanations of the International Codes for both
Botanical Nomenclature (2000) and Nomenclature for Cultivated
Plants (1995), this edition contains a greatly expanded glossary,
which includes the Greek, Latin, or other source of each plant
name.
Flying the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom was a young man's dream
but the path from "Civvy Street" to operational on a fighter
squadron was long, arduous and beset with obstacles. To succeed
meant the chance to fly one of the most iconic combat aircraft that
ever took to the air but not every fledgling aviator who began the
journey fulfilled their ambition to wear the coveted "Op. badge".
"Per Ardua--Training an RAF Phantom Crew" describes how Cold War
aircrew assimilated the skills needed to fly and fight the complex
fighter jet. It follows the progress through every stage and
explains why it cost millions to train each pilot and navigator.
Philip Keeble and David Gledhill, both former Phantom aircrew,
recount the challenges and the emotions encountered during the
rigorous training process in a frank yet light hearted way that
will leave you wondering how anyone achieved the goal.
"Fighters Over The Falklands" captures daily life using pictures
taken during the author's tours of duty on the Islands. From the
first detachments of Phantoms and Rapiers operating from a rapidly
upgraded RAF Stanley airfield to life at RAF Mount Pleasant, see
life from the author's perspective as the Commander of the Tornado
F3 Flight defending the islands' airspace. Font-line fighter crews
provided Quick Reaction Alert during day to day flying operations
working with the Royal Navy, Army and other Air Force units to
defend a remote, and sometimes forgotten, theatre of operations. It
will also look at how the islanders interact with the forces based
at Mount Pleasant and contrast high technology military operations
with the lives of the original inhabitants; namely the wildlife.
Have you ever wondered what it was like to fly the Phantom? This is
not a potted history of an aeroplane, nor is it Hollywood glamour
as captured in Top Gun. This is the story of life on the frontline
during the Cold War told in the words of a navigator who flew the
iconic jet. Unique pictures, many captured from the cockpit, show
the Phantom in its true environment and show why for many years the
Phantom was the envy of NATO. It also tells the inside story of
some of the problems which plagued the Phantom in its early days,
how the aircraft developed, or was neglected, and reveals events
which shaped the aircraft's history and contributed to its demise.
Anecdotes capture the deep affection felt by the crews who were
fortunate enough to cross paths with the Phantom during their
flying careers. The nicknames the aircraft earned were not
complimentary and included the 'Rhino', 'The Spook', 'Double Ugly',
the 'Flying Brick' and the 'Lead Sled'. Whichever way you looked at
it, you could love or hate the Phantom, but you could never ignore
it for its sheer power and lethal payload. The Phantom in Focus: A
Navigator's Eye on Britain's Cold War Warrior is unique in that the
author flew in the legendary Phantom in the front line and captured
beautiful and amazing unpublished photographs that will appeal to
historians, military specialists and modellers alike.
Key Selling Points: Have you ever wondered what it was like to fly
the Phantom? This is not a potted history of an aeroplane, nor is
it Hollywood glamour as captured in Top Gun. This is the story of
life on the frontline during the Cold War told in the words of a
navigator who flew the iconic jet. Unique pictures, many captured
from the cockpit, show the Phantom in its true environment and show
why for many years the Phantom was the envy of NATO. It also tells
the inside story of some of the problems which plagued the Phantom
in its early days, how the aircraft developed, or was neglected,
and reveals events which shaped the aircraft's history and
contributed to its demise. Anecdotes capture the deep affection
felt by the crews who were fortunate enough to cross paths with the
Phantom during their flying careers. The nicknames the aircraft
earned were not complimentary and included the 'Rhino', 'The
Spook', 'Double Ugly', the 'Flying Brick' and the 'Lead Sled'.
Whichever way you looked at it, you could love or hate the Phantom,
but you could never ignore it for its sheer power and lethal
payload.The Phantom in Focus: A Navigator's Eye on Britain's Cold
War Warrior is unique in that the author flew in the legendary
Phantom in the front line and captured beautiful and amazing
unpublished photographs that will appeal to historians, military
specialists and modellers alike.
The Tornado F2 had a troubled introduction to service. Unloved by
its crews and procured as a political imperative, it was blighted
by failures and was developed to counter a threat that disappeared.
Modified rapidly before it could be sent to war, the Tornado F3
eventually matured into a capable weapons system, but despite
datalinks and new air-to-air weapons, its poor reputation sealed
its fate. The author, a former Tornado F3 navigator, tells the
story from an insider's perspective from the early days as one of
the first instructors on the Operational Conversion Unit, through
its development and operational testing, to its demise. David
Gledhill reflects on its capabilities and deficiencies and analyses
why the aircraft was mostly underestimated by opponents. Although
many books have already described the Tornado F3, the author's
involvement in its development will provide a unique insight into
this complex and misunderstood aircraft programme and dispel some
of the myths surrounding it.
The McDonnell Douglas F4 Phantom was a true multi-role combat
aircraft. Introduced into the RAF in 1968, it was employed in
ground attack, air reconnaissance and air defence roles. Later,
with the arrival of the Jaguar in the early 1970s, it changed over
to air defence. In its heyday, it served as Britain s principal
Cold War fighter; there were seven UK-based squadrons plus the
Operational Conversion Unit, two Germany-based squadrons and a
further Squadron deployed to the Falkland Islands. Phantom in the
Cold War focuses predominantly on the aircraft s role as an air
defence fighter, exploring the ways in which it provided the
British contribution to the Second Allied Tactical Air Force at RAF
Wildenrath, the home of Nos. 19 and 92 Squadrons during the Cold
War. As with his previous books, the author, who flew the Phantom
operationally, recounts the thrills, challenges and consequences of
operating this sometimes temperamental jet at extreme low-level
over the West German countryside, preparing for a war which
everyone hoped would never happen.
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Impact (Paperback)
David Gledhill
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R171
Discovery Miles 1 710
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Ships in 10 - 15 working days
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