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John Cunningham started his illustrious aviation career with the de
Havilland Aeronautical Technical School, at the same time learning
to fly with 614 Squadron at Hendon. On completing his
apprenticeship he helped test fly the Moth Minor with Geoffrey de
Havilland Jnr. When WW2 was declared, he was mobilized and started
his RAF combat career pioneering the use of AI radar flying
Beaufighters and Mosquitos. He completed his service as one of the
youngest group captains, with 20 confirmed successes at night or in
bad weather. Not wishing a desk job, he returned to his friends at
de Havilland, initially as chief test pilot of the de Havilland
Engine Company, where his combat experience was invaluable in
selling aircraft to overseas air forces. On the death of his close
friend Geoffrey de Havilland Jnr, John was appointed chief test
pilot of the Aircraft Company and led the flight development of the
Comet, the world's first jet airliner, and later the Trident,
completing some 35 years of test flying. He died in 2002.
This book covers the design, development, production and
operational service of the Vickers Wellington from before the
Second World War through to the 1950s. The aircraft and crews
served with great distinction from the start to the end of the
Second World War despite heavy losses. The aircraft was operated by
Bomber Command until replaced by the bigger four engine heavy
bombers, and played a major part in the Mediterranean Theatre. Its
versatility was show with maritime operations against the U-boat
threat. It was also used for transport and the hazards of aircrew
training. It’s geodetic construction, developed from the airship
era, made it rugged and capable of absorbing battle damage bring
its crews home safely from combat over hostile territory.
The Hawker Hunter was Britain's first swept-wing jet fighter
capable of exceeding the speed of sound. It was a simple, rugged
design that was easy to maintain in service. Once the limited
initial range was improved, it became a versatile combat aircraft
as a day fighter, ground-attack fighter, and fighter reconnaissance
platform. In addition to worldwide service with the RAF, the Hunter
was an export success, becoming a standard fighter with NATO and
air forces, in the Middle East, India, Asia, Africa, and South
America. Its modular construction made it easy to build, and it was
ideal for refurbishing and updating earlier models for sale to
overseas customers. Hunters are still active for contract work as
low-cost platforms for aggressor training and systems development.
This volume documents the jet fighter's extensive and fascinating
history.
Written by an accomplished military aviation author, this new study
is the result of many years of research, and will be essential
reading for all historians of the period and keen aviation
enthusiasts. There is growing interest today in the Cold War era in
British history. This new book provides a new study of Cold War
airfields that will be of interest to all those who study airfield
history and archaeology. This new title provides a background to
the Cold War airfields in Britain. Phillip Birtles gives readers an
airfield by airfield coverage of those in operation from the start
of the Cold War during the Berlin Air Lift in the late 1940s to the
end of the Cold War with the fall of the Berlin Wall at the end of
the 1980s. The book covers both RAF/FAA and USAF airfields in
Britain, and charts the changes that took place at these airfields
in this period including the development of aircraft from the first
postwar jet aircraft to aircraft types that are still flying today.
Alongside descriptive text outlining each airfield, the units and
aircraft operating from that airfield and its role in the Cold War
are also explained in great detail. Descriptive text is
complemented by almost 200 contemporary photographs, colour and
black and white, maps and airfield plans.
This book covers the design, development, production and operations
of the Hawker Hurricane before, during and after the Second World
War. Without the courage and perseverance of the young men from
Britain and the Commonwealth, who risked their lives to beat the
Luftwaffe and forestall the enemy invasion of Britain, there would
not have been a 'Battle of Britain.' The Hurricane was a simple
rugged metal structure that did not require expensive assembly
jigs, absorbed a lot of battle damage, and was also simple to
repair. Its wide-track undercarriage allowed operations from
rapidly prepared grass fields, and the ultimate cannon armament and
rocket projectiles could destroy both soft skin and armoured
targets. Following the Battles of France and Britain, Spitfires
took over much of the air-to-air interception, while Hurricanes
roamed around occupied Europe destroying enemy ground targets. They
operated off merchant ships on the Russian convoys and were vital
in the defence of Malta.Hurricanes worked with the Soviet Air Force
within the Arctic Circle, and supported the Eighth Army against the
forces of Rommel in the deserts of North Africa, as well as serving
with distinction in Asia.
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