Chambers, Ken The Race for Speed

The Untold Story of Six Racing Pilots and the Throttle Benders Union

Since the dawn of manned aviation, both racing and record attempts have played an important role in aviation, with each of these activities significantly driving and enriching the development of new aircraft and engine projects. After the Second World War, the British aerospace industry experienced a boom. It was a time when its designs, innovations and new aircraft developments were world leaders. It was also during this exciting post-war period that air racing resumed. Pre-war competitions were revived and important new races were introduced. Six highly motivated, extremely competitive and ambitious racing pilots emerged from this scene: Nat Somers, Tony Cole, Geoffrey Allington, Fred Dunkerley, Jimmy Rush and Ron Paine. Three of the six had served in the RAF during the Second World War. One of them became an apprentice at Vickers an engineer who frequently made suggestions on how to get the best speeds out of all aircraft, often through the use of ingenious methods. Another gained experience as a chief test pilot, flying Fairey Battle, Hawker Hurricane, Short Stirling and Avro Lancaster aircraft. Three were already highly successful entrepreneurs. One later became the owner of Panshanger and Southampton airports and, together with Handley Page's chief test pilot, developed the two-seater Somers-Kendall SK-1 jet. Another owned cotton mills and was awarded an OBE for his services to the cotton industry; he worked with F.G. Miles Limited to convert the Sparrowhawk into the highly successful Sparrow jet. Both aircraft are among the most significant civil private racing aircraft in history. However, what united the six men most was their relentless pursuit of speed. Their love of competitive flying and their need for speed were so great that they later founded the Throttle Benders Union. In this book, the author takes an in-depth look at these six aviators, as well as two later members of the TBU. From their early days of learning to fly, through their racing careers, to their very different professional careers, this book highlights their successes and many of their hair-raising adventures.