Berliner Zinnfiguren/Books & Media/Books/Air Forces/Great Britain products

Johnstone,: From Bomber Command to Royal Command 32,95 €

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 07:10:11 +0200

Although he was employed in a vital wartime industry, Albert Meagherknown to everyone as "Johnny"volunteered for pilot training and was called up in July 1941. He duly completed his training as an RAF bomber pilot and joined No. 61 Squadron, equipped with Avro Lancaster bombers, in June 1942. Johnnys first combat missionan attack on Brementook place on the 25th of that same month. Over the following six weeks, Meaghers crew attacked eleven other cities, including Frankfurt, Munich, and Kiel, as well as industrial targets in the Ruhr region. On January 16, 1943, Bomber Command attacked Berlin; for this mission, the prominent American NBC reporter Stan Richardson was assigned to Meaghers unit. After 34 missions over Germany, one might assume that Squadron Leader Meagher would have sought a less perilous assignment. Yet nothing could have been further from his mind. Instead, he flew another 20 missions before finally leaving the front lines to serve as a flight instructor. Meaghers peacetime career proved no less exciting. He joined BOAC in 1946 and, in early 1950, conducted proving flights to Africa aboard the Handley Page Hermes. In June 1951, following the nationalization of the Abadan oil refinery, Meagher flew to Iran to evacuate expelled British nationals. This mission was overshadowed by an engine failure immediately after takeoff and a perilous subsequent flight to Cairo. In January 1952, he was selected as one of the first pilots for the de Havilland Comet; in January 1954, he commanded the Comet "Yoke Peter," flying it from Karachi to Rome. There, he handed the aircraft over to a new crew, who perishedalong with their twenty-nine passengersshortly after takeoff. In the years that followed, Meagher planned and oversaw the introduction of the Bristol Britannia airliner into scheduled service with BOACan achievement for which he was awarded the "Queens Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air." In 1958, he commanded the flight that carried the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester on a state visit to Ethiopia. In 1961, he once again accompanied the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh on a six-week state visit to India, Pakistan, and Iran. The Queen personally expressed her gratitude by conferring upon him the title of Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO). In this fascinating autobiography, Johnny Meaghers remarkable career unfolds in his own words.

Sowter, Jack/Richardson, Ian: Bomber Crew Escaper 29,95 €

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 07:10:11 +0200

Sergeant Jack Sowter had joined the RAF in October 1941originally as an aspiring wireless operator. Later, he retrained as a navigator and became part of the crew of a Handley Page Halifax with the 78th Squadron. On the night of July 2728, 1943, Jacks aircraftJD 148was among the 787 bombers tasked with attacking the port of Hamburg as part of "Operation Gomorrah." After successfully dropping his deadly payload over the German city, Jacks commander, Sergeant Les Maidment, set a course for home. However, Maidment could escape neither the piercing beams of the German searchlights nor the enemy flak. As his aircraft sustained repeated hits, Maidment ordered his crew to bail out. Four of the seven crew members survived and were taken prisoner of war. One of them was Jack Sowter. Despite a severe ankle injury, he managed to evade searching enemy patrols for two days before being captured. Like many captured Allied airmen, Jack was initially taken to "Dulag Luft"a transit and interrogation camp. There, he was reunited with the three other surviving members of his crew. Eventually, he ended up at "Stalag Luft VI B," the northernmost of the POW camps within the Reich. It was not until 1944 that Jack finally found his first real opportunity to escapeyet this brief taste of freedom did not last long. Nevertheless, just eight days after being returned to Stalag Luft VI B, Jack was once again at the very top of the escape list. This time, he and three other prisoners successfully escaped from a work detail; at a railway station, they stumbled upon a freight car marked "Geneva." However, this dream of neutrality and freedom quickly shattered when it turned out that the only railway car they could board bore the inscription "Hannover." At least this location was closer to home than Stalag Luft VI B. Unfortunately, their journey ended in the hands of the German police. Jack seized every opportunity that arose to escape his captors. This developed into a veritable obsession, and his story is replete with ingenious schemes, hidden saw blades, and ineffective wire cutters. Jack recounts his experiences with his fellow prisoners and describes life in captivity. His memoirs culminate in the day the prisoners awoke to discover that their guards had vanishedand how, on that occasion, his final bid for freedom proved to be the definitive one.

Wright, Kevin: Skywatch. Volume 2: The History of the Royal Observer Corps, 1939–1945 24,95 €

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 07:10:11 +0200

Volume 66 of the "Europe @ War" series. The second volume of *Skywatch* continues the history of the British Observer Corps (later the Royal Observer Corps) during its most formative era: the Second World War, from 1939 to 1945. During this period, the Observer Corps fulfilled the very mission for which it had originally been conceivedproviding early warning of enemy air raids on Britain's cities and industrial facilities. Following the Munich Crisis of 1938, war had become all but inevitable. Consequently, the RAF and the Observer Corps intensified their air defense exercises. Concern regarding a German preemptive air strike was so acute that the Observer Corps was mobilized as early as August 24, 1939ten days before the official declaration of war. From that point on, observation posts and centers were manned around the clock; the period of the "Phoney War" offered the opportunity to implement numerous long-overdue measures to enhance operational readiness, while observers tirelessly scanned the skies for Luftwaffe reconnaissance aircraft. May 1940 brought with it the defeat of France and the Battle of Britaina period of grueling, sustained operations. In a remarkably short time, the Observer Corps transformed itself from a peacetime organization into a battle-hardened unit. As the summer of 1940 drew to a close and the "Blitz" descended upon the country, the Corps was forced to adapt rapidly to the enemy's shifting tactics. In 1941having been granted "Royal" recognitionthe Corps embarked upon a comprehensive process of reorganization and professionalization. The individual chapters cover topics such as enemy attacks, the entry of women into the Corps, the observation post at Windsor Castle, support for lost or damaged aircraft, and the Allied air offensive, which brought about further changes. Furthermore, the run-up to D-Day in June 1944 is discussedincluding the need for "Seaborne" observers for deployment at seaas well as the immediate threat posed by the sheer volume of V-1 "flying bombs" fired at Great Britain. The second volume concludes with the end of the war and the temporary stand-down of the Royal Observer Corps. "Skywatch," Volume 2, combines new research findings, official archival records, and eyewitness accounts to critically examine the wartime activities of the Royal Observer Corps and its relationship with the RAFranging from strategic decisions at the highest political level down to daily life at the observation posts and Group Centers. This volume is illustrated throughout with original historical photographs as well as color illustrations created specifically for this work.

Wilson, Keith: RAF in Camera 1980-1984 44,95 €

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 07:10:11 +0200

Britain changed more in the 1980s than in almost any recent decade, as readers will recall with differing emotions. A decade dominated by the rise of the City and the fall of the Unions, the wider retreat of the left and the return of military confidence, it also featured an energy of entrepreneurialism, but with entrenched unemployment more than twice as high in the mid-1980s boom as when Margaret Thatcher took office in 1979. Innovation and technology reigned in the decade that spawned mobile telephones and the World Wide Web: where would the younger generation be without these items in their lives today?
To many, it was more simply seen as the decade of Margaret Thatcher, yuppies, chunky mobile telephones, and BMX bikes although in reality it featured so much more, including the little matter of not one, but two royal weddings, and the Argentinian invasion of the Falkland Islands in 1982. With little apparent diplomatic alternative, Britain set about creating a task force to recover the islands effectively declaring war on Argentina.
During the 1980s, only a few aircraft types were completely withdrawn from the RAF, most of them hardly creating a whimper. These included the Whirlwind HAR.10 helicopter, the Devon C.1, the Pembroke C.1, and some of the earlier Jet Provost T.3, T.4 and T.5 aircraft. However, during the decade, the RAF said farewell to a pair of military icons the Avro Vulcan in 1984, and the English Electric Lightning in 1988.
Aircraft arriving into RAF service included the Tornado GR.1 in the strike/attack role, an aircraft that had been developed as the Multi-role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) by a multi-national organisation from Italy, Germany, and the UK. It was soon followed into service by the Tornado F.2 and F.3 interceptor variants in the Air Defence role. Other new aircraft and helicopters to enter service during the decade included the Chinook HC.1, the Harrier GR.5, the British Aerospace BAe 146 CC.1, and the Tucano T.1.
The 1980s was something of a decade of mend and make do: the RAF purchased a batch of former US Navy F-4J Phantom aircraft as an air defence stop-gap, converted six Vulcan B.2 aircraft into AAR tanker platforms, and later, converted six Hercules C.1 aircraft into single-point C.1K tankers, initially for use on the Falklands Air Bridge. Further second-hand purchases included a number of former airline Lockheed Tristar and Vickers VC10 aircraft; once converted, these aircraft would later provide the backbone of the RAFs strategic and tactical tanking force for the foreseeable future.
Keith Wilson takes up from where he left off with RAF in Camera 1970s, continuing the journey through another significant decade. All of the landmark events are covered in this thorough, well-researched and image-packed publication.
Each chapter focuses on a specific year, detailing all of the highlights and events that characterised it. As with previous volumes in this series, this new addition to the In Camera series is sure to be regarded as a collectors edition and a real enthusiasts favourite.

Bridger, Al: British Airways in 100 Objects 24,95 €

Wed, 20 May 2026 07:05:11 +0200

British Airways looks back on a history that is virtually unique. Spanning a period of more than a centuryfrom the inaugural flight of Aircraft Transport and Travel Ltd. from London to Paris in 1919 to the modern, fuel-efficient aircraft of todays fleetBritish Airways has proudly connected Britain with the world, and the world with Britain. Throughout this journeyshaped by the rapidly evolving early years of aviation pioneers, when crossing continents in biplanes and seaplanes still took days; leading through the post-war luxury of the piston-engine era and the iconic Jet Age of the legendary Boeing 707 and 747; witnessing the supersonic marvel of Concorde; and finally culminating in the modern era of travelBritish Airways has borne witness to countless historical events and carried literally billions of passengers. Over the course of this journey, an immense wealth of precious memorabilia was amassed; much of it is now displayed or preserved at British Airways headquarters near Heathrowwithin a truly extraordinary museum: the Speedbird Centre. A significant portion of this archive is of national importance and is preserved as part of the national cultural heritage. From humble mementos of onboard operations to the Olympic Torch, the exhibits featured in this book offer but a brief glimpse into this collectionbringing decades of aviation history vividly back to life.

Richardson, Nigel: Boeing 787 Dreamliner 24,95 €

Wed, 20 May 2026 07:05:11 +0200

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a family of twin-engine, wide-body passenger aircraft designed for long-haul flights, capable of carrying 242 to 330 passengers in a two-class configuration. The aircraft is distinguished by a high degree of technological innovation regarding its design concepts, structural materials, and control systems. It is the world's first large commercial airliner to feature a fuselage, wings, and tail section constructed from composite materials. The aircraft makes extensive use of electrical systems, replacing many traditional pneumatic components. It features an advanced fly-by-wire control system that automatically optimizes the wing shaperesulting in improved lift and reduced fuel consumptionand also incorporates new instrumentation technologies within the cockpit. The aircraft is powered by next-generation engines: either the General Electric GEnx-1B or the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000. Three variants have been built: the original 787-8, the stretched 787-9 variant, and the largest version, the 787-10. The 787 entered scheduled commercial service on October 26, 2011, with ANA. Today, it is operated worldwide by over seventy airlinesincluding major national flag carriers, long-haul low-cost carriers, and leisure airlines. Nigel Richardson describes the genesis, design, and development of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, complemented by illustrations and technical information.

Hewins, Don: UKQR 2026. British Isles Civil Aircraft Registers Quick Reference 29,95 €

Thu, 14 May 2026 07:00:09 +0200

This is the 26th edition of an annual publication. The book is current as of the end of March 2026; at that time, 18,562 aircraft were recorded as active in the British aircraft register.
Each year, the compilers strive to improve and expand the information they provide to their readers. In 2025, they added Manufacturer Serial Numbers (MSNs) for all civil-registered aircraft; for the 2026 edition, they have introduced a diamond symbol to mark new entries added since the previous edition. The contents include: the civil aircraft registers for the United Kingdom (G-), the Republic of Ireland (EI-), the Isle of Man (M-), and Guernsey (2-); a list of foreign aircraft based in the United Kingdom and Ireland; lists of military aircraft operated within the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as United States Air Force units stationed in the United Kingdom; a cross-reference index for aircraft registrations held under exemption permits; a concise directory of aircraft preserved in aviation museums and collections; and a general guide to identifying the probable locations where aircraft are based.

Saxton, Peter: Mosquito Special Operations in the Second World War 19,95 €

Sat, 23 May 2026 19:40:58 +0200

The Mosquito was the most successful and strategically decisive multi-role combat aircraft of the Second World War. It was introduced by the de Havilland Aircraft Company as an unarmed, uninterceptable medium bomber characterized by long range, high speed, and high-altitude capability. An unarmed bomberone entirely devoid of defensive armamentwas a concept that stood in diametrical opposition to the tactical doctrines of both the Royal Air Force and the US Army Air Forces. Nevertheless, the aircraft was developed to undertake an almost limitless spectrum of missionsincluding ground attack as a dive-bomber, anti-shipping operations, roles as both a day and night fighter, the function of a "Pathfinder" for target marking on behalf of heavy bomber formations, and long-range reconnaissance. There appeared to be no task to which the aircraft could not be adapted with unprecedented success. Its most significant role was played as a lethal, precision fighter-bomber for long-range, low-level ground attacksmaking it ideal for "special missions." This book sheds light on the pivotal role played by the designers and engineersfrom the initial conceptual phase through mass production to factory-level support in the field. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, the Mosquito was capable of carrying the same bombload as four-engine heavy bombersyet it did so at far greater speeds and across an altitude range extending from treetop level to the extreme upper reaches of the atmosphere. It was the combination of this performance capability with its enormous range that transformed it into a truly strategic weapon of air warfarecapable of striking precision targets deep within the heart of Nazi Germany and undermining enemy morale.

Wilkinson, Philip: Red Star and Roundel 21,95 €

Sun, 10 May 2026 08:25:09 +0200

The Red Star and the Roundel are the symbols of organizations that look back on a century of existencea period marked as much by conflict as by harmony. The Russian Red Star has retained its undiminished impact throughout the hundred years since the October Revolution; the red, white, and blue insignia of the RAF, meanwhile, has been a constant presence in the world's skies over that same span. Of the forty years the author spent in the RAF, the final three and a half were spent in Russia; this afforded him the opportunity to examine in depth the dynamics of the relationship between Russia and the RAFa relationship that manifested at times as an alliance, and at others as an adversarial rivalry. *Red Star and Roundel* draws upon the authors personal recollections, the accounts of surviving RAF veterans who were stationed in Russia during the Second World War, and official documents spanning their entire shared century. The volume explores themes ranging from brutal combat in the early years to linguistic communication barriers in later timesfrom harmless misunderstandings to deliberate deception, and from cultural contrasts to aesthetic affinities.

Serup, Sheila C.: Spitfire Girls Trailblazer 32,95 €

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 07:10:07 +0200

As a truly pioneering aviator, Helen Marcelle Harrison rose above societal norms to become the world's first female military flight instructor, training student pilots as part of the South African Air Force's "1,000-Pilot Plan" and the "British Commonwealth Air Training Plan" in Canada. Over the course of her illustrious 35-year career, she earned pilot licenses in four different countries and learned to fly seaplanes in Singapore during the era of flying boats. Harrison's flying prowess did not go unnoticed; consequently, in 1942, she was selectedas one of only 25 female pilots, then considered the finest in North Americato travel to Great Britain and join the renowned Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA). In doing so, Harrison became the first Canadian woman to serve in the ATA. The ATA played a pivotal role during the war, employing both male and female pilots to ferry aircraft between factories, maintenance units, and frontline squadrons. As First Officer Helen Harrison, she braved the most adverse weather conditions, technical malfunctions, barrage balloons, and much more, all while ferrying 34 different types of combat aircraftincluding Spitfires, Mosquitos, and Mustangswith consummate composure. First Officer Harrison made history once again when she became the first Canadian woman to complete a transatlantic ferry flight, piloting a North American B-25 Mitchell to Great Britain. The ATA had effectively dismantled barriers and paved the way for the inclusion of female pilots. The "Atta Girls"as the ATA's female pilots were affectionately knownemerged as the vanguard for future generations of female aviators. After World War II, when her dream of becoming a professional pilot initially seemed out of reach, she remained undeterred, steadfastly continuing to pursue her aviation career. "The future for female pilots looks, I believe, definitely brighter," she remarked with confidence. "It lies, of course, entirely with the individual woman herself to earn her opportunities in aviation." From her early yearstaking off in an open-cockpit biplane for pleasure flights and aerobatic maneuversto her brilliant service with the ATA, where she piloted fast fighter aircraft, she eventually evolved into "Floats Harrison": the finest seaplane flight instructor in British Columbia, Canada. Defying the prevailing institutional prejudices and discrimination of the era, Helen Harrison nurtured her passion for flying by training hundreds of pilots. She retired with a record of 14,000 accident-free flight hours as pilot-in-commanda career during which she had flown a total of over 100 different aircraft types. Helen became the first woman to be inducted into Canadas Aviation Hall of Fame.

Plannthin, Mikkel: Britain's Victory, Denmark's Freedom 32,95 €

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 07:05:10 +0200

On April 9, 1940, German troops marched into Denmark. Within a few hours, and without significant resistance, the government capitulated; it cooperated with the National Socialists in an effort to secure the greatest possible degree of self-determination. Not everyone, however, accepted this capitulation. Abroad, Danes mobilized to take up the fight. Men and womenwhether they had fled Denmark, been involuntarily driven into exile by the occupying power, or were already emigrantsreported to recruitment centers worldwide and volunteered their services to fight for Denmark's freedom. More than 250 of them volunteered for the Allied air forces. This book offers the most comprehensive account to date of the Danish contribution to the Allied air forces during the Second World War. It sheds light on the operations of Danish pilots in Great Britain, over Germany, and within Coastal Command; their participation in the air campaigns in the Mediterranean and the Balkans; their deployment in the Far East and the Pacific; as well as the role played by Danes on the groundoften far behind the front lines.

Moor, Anthony J.: RAF West Malling 32,95 €

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 07:05:10 +0200

This is the story of West Malling Airfieldfrom its origins and its role in the Second World Warduring which numerous dramatic and tragic events unfoldedto the era of the Cold War. Initially opened as a private landing ground after the First World Warand known at the time as "Kings Hill"West Malling Airfield became home to the "Maidstone School of Flying" in 1930. Subsequently, it was renamed "West Malling Airfield" and, in 1932, "Maidstone Airport." The airfield's significance to the RAF came to the fore in June 1940; by this time, the station had already been equipped with a concrete runway. The first aircraft arrived on June 8, 1940. As Britain's first designated night fighter base, RAF West Malling became home to numerous renowned pilots in the years that followedmen such as John Cunningham, Peter Townsend, Bob Braham, and even Guy Gibson, who later achieved fame through the "Dambusters" operation. In the summer of 1944, Mosquito, Spitfire, and Mustang Mk.3 aircraft successfully intercepted numerous V-1 flying bombs; furthermore, these units played a vital role in supporting the Allied landings on D-Day. After the war ended, units such as the 25th and 85th Squadrons were equipped with Meteor NF night fighters, as well as de Havilland Vampire and Venom aircraft, thereby ensuring West Malling's strategic importance as a night fighter base persisted well into the Cold War era. The 500th Squadron ("Kents Own") also chose RAF West Malling as its home base during this period. Additionally, in the 1960s, a US Navy "Facility Flight" unit was stationed at the airfield. Following its closure as an operational military airfield in 1969, West Malling reverted to a civilian character: throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the site hostedamong other thingsa gliding school, the aircraft manufacturer Short Brothers, and several major "Warbird" airshows, until the airfield was finally closed for good and cleared for urban redevelopment. Anthony J. Moors meticulously researched and richly illustrated book is the first work to recount the complete history of West Mallings role in the defense of the United Kingdom, detailing how the RAF airfield rendered faithful service over twenty-eight eventful years.

Fletcher, Zita B.: Monty’s Flying Fortress 32,95 €

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 07:05:10 +0200

During the Second World War, as Luftwaffe fighter planes hunted British aircraft, the unconventional General Bernard Law Montgomery was determined to acquire one of the imposing American B-17 "Flying Fortress" bombers to ensure his own travel safety. In 1943, "Monty" struck a daring wager with the American leadership: he offered victories in North Africa as a stake in exchange for winning a "Fortress" as a prize. Montys quest for the "Fortress" would lead him to disregard official channels and to wage a series of bloody battles in Tunisia with ruthless precision. A motley crew of young American airmen from widely diverse backgrounds was destined to serve as Montys crew aboard his B-17. Most of them had never left the United States before. Yet all had already distinguished themselves through heroic action in combat. None of them had ever expected to be assigned to such an unusual duty. An unlikely, close bond formed between Montgomery and his American crew members. The American airmen who served alongside Monty would later remember their shared adventures as some of their most memorable experiences of the war. After the war ended, the true story of the "Fortress"and of the transatlantic friendship it had forgedfaded into obscurity amidst political intrigue and the jealousy of other Allied commanders. Now, for the first time, the complete story of Montgomery and the American airmen who protected him during the war appears in a single volumea story that had previously been lost to history. The book provides detailed insights into the fierce campaign of conquest that Montgomery risked as his stake to win the "Fortress," as well as biographical details about the intrepid US airmen who accompanied him on his travels.

Willis, Matthew: Fairey Fulmar 39,95 €

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 07:05:10 +0200

Das Buch zeichnet erstmals die vollständige Geschichte des Marinejagdflugzeugs Fairey Fulmar nach. Als eilig umgebauter leichter Bomber - von der RAF abgelehnt und im Kampf gegen Messerschmitts und Zeros zunehmend veraltet - entwickelte sich die Fulmar breiter als Erwarten zum erfolgreichsten Jagdflugzeug der Royal Navy im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Die Fairey Fulmar war das erfolgreichste Jagdflugzeug des Fleet Air Arm im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Doch diese schlichte Tatsache verdeckt die Widersprüche, die den Kern der Geschichte der Eissturmvögel ausmachen. Als das Flugzeug 1940 auf dem Höhepunkt der Luftschlacht um England in Dienst gestellt wurde, schien es die Marineflieger auf Augenhöhe mit The Few zu bringen; War es doch das erste Marinejagdflugzeug, das sowohl die Acht-Kanonen-Bewaffnung als auch den legendären Rolls-Royce-Merlin-Motor der Spitfires und Hurricanes der RAF lieferte. Dennoch war der Eissturmvogel kein geschickter Abfangjäger. Als Umbau eines gescheiterten leichten Bombers konzipiert, um eine Lücke im hoffnungslos unzureichenden Flugzeugbestand des Fleet Air Arm zu schließen, waren die Fulmar groß, schwer und im Luftkampf den besten Jagdflugzeugen der Achsenmächte nicht gewachsen. Dennoch besaßen sie verborgene Stärken, die es den Marinepiloten ermöglichten, das Blatt gegen den Feind zu wenden selbst dann, wenn bereits alles verloren schien. Von den Schlachten von Tarent und Matapan bis hin zum Kessel von Malta im Mittelmeer, von den eisigen Weiten der arktischen Geleitzugrouten bis zum japanischen Vorstoß in den Indischen Ozean - und später bei den ersten, noch zögerlichen Schritten hin zur radargestützten Nachtjagd: Die Eissturmvögel wuchsen über ihre wenig vielversprechenden Ursprünge hinaus und spielten eine entscheidende Rolle für den Sieg der Alliierten.

Kennard, Paul: Chinook Driver 32,95 €

Sat, 23 May 2026 07:40:09 +0200

Paul Kennard began his Royal Air Force career dreaming of flying fighter jets, but fate led him to the cockpit of the Chinook the workhorse of the helicopter fleet that paved his way to the front lines. From the fraught roads of Northern Ireland to the fractured landscapes of Bosnia and the contested skies over Kosovo, Kennard and his crews flew missions as unpredictable as they were vital. The Chinook put troops at risk, transported supplies across treacherous terrain, and evacuated the wounded often under fire and always under pressure. Honest and with a sharp wit, "Chinook Driver" tells the story of the allure and intensity of helicopter flying in combat zones, but also the quiet moments of humor, frustration, and camaraderie that defined squadron life. Beyond the action, Kennard reflects on the challenges of serving in politically complex conflicts where peace was fragile and the stakes were high. This is more than just the story of a pilot who flew Britain's most iconic helicopter. It's an insightful, human account of service during a time when the RAF was constantly challenged by extraordinary circumstances. Fast-paced, candid, and often laced with dark humor, "Chinook Driver" takes readers into the cockpit and behind the headlines, revealing what it meant to serveand flyin the uncertain conflicts of the late 20th century.

Pelletier, Alain: Spitfire 49,95 €

Thu, 21 May 2026 07:05:06 +0200

The Spitfire, an aircraft whose fame has steadily grown over the years, is now considered the epitome of aviation history. It distinguished itself in several key battles of the Second World War, including the Battle of Britain, the Siege of Malta, and the defense against the V-1 rockets, and equipped the newly formed air forces of various countries, including France. Even today, the Spitfire remains the object of unbroken passion. Thanks to the dedication of numerous collectors, the Spitfire participates in many airshows, always eliciting enthusiasm from spectators. This book aims to tell the story of this aircraft and its legendary missions through over 250 photographs and approximately one hundred illustrations, maps, and diagrams.

Balch, Adrian: Gatwick in Photographs 36,95 €

Sun, 17 May 2026 08:20:05 +0200

In 1930, an airfield was built in rural Surrey, nestled between two farms and next to a horse racing track. Following steady growth, Gatwick Airport was officially opened by the Minister of Air in 1936. Since the opening of the second runway in 1958, Gatwick has been considered London's second airport. Those wanting to book a package holiday in the 1960s and 70s often flew from here with charter airlines that operated a wide variety of aircraft to destinations all over the world. This diversity made visits fascinating for aircraft enthusiasts, who enjoyed themselves immensely from viewing platforms with direct views of the parked planes. From the pre-war construction work to today's bustling activity, "Gatwick in Photographs" traces the airport's history through its aircraft in magnificent color photographs.

Smith, Terry: AFQR 2026. Airline Fleets Quick Reference 36,95 €

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 07:10:07 +0200

AFQR, the market-leading airline fleet directory, lists the fleets of airlines operating worldwide, as always. This year, it covers 178 countries and 1,355 airlines, providing details on approximately 38,000 aircraft, ranging from the Jetstream to the Airbus A380. The data includes registration, type, registration number (with line number where applicable), status, and fleet number where applicable. A separate appendix lists civil and military business and VIP aircraft. To facilitate use of the directory throughout the year, details of known upcoming deliveries scheduled for the next 12 months are included. Aircraft that were in storage at the time of printing are marked with a hash symbol (#). A diamond is used to mark aircraft that have undergone some kind of "change" in the publisher's lists (e.g., it is a new entry, it has been transferred from one airline to another, or it has undergone some other movement, such as being retrieved from storage or returning to the fleet after refurbishment).

Deceiving Hitler's Bombers 31,95 €

Sun, 10 May 2026 08:25:09 +0200

The first and most important element of an air raid is target acquisition. All the costs and risks of a bombing raid are wasted if the mission's objective is not correctly identified. If the attacking aircraft can be tricked into dropping their deadly payload in areas of no consequence to the war effort through deception or visual distraction, the enemy bombers will have missed their target. At the beginning of the war, it was understood that enemy bombers would invariably penetrate British defenses and that German bomber crews possessed a good understanding of British geography and key industrial and military installations. Under these circumstances, how could the most important locations be protected? Remarkable successes were achieved through camouflage, concealing key positions with dummy buildings and equipment, or, for example, with fake railway tracks, lights, and fires. To draw the Luftwaffe away from RAF airfields, numerous decoy airfields were constructed within a ten-kilometer radius of the actual airfields. These installations had to appear as authentic as possible. Therefore, suitable decoys of aircraft, roads and refuse depots, artificial runways on the airfield, real and decoys of machine gun emplacements, as well as a shelter and trenches for the crew were provided. To deceive the enemy as much as possible, mobile airfield lighting was developed. The civilian authorities also developed decoys to protect specific areas. As a result, dozens of bombs were dropped on marshes or open common land. An example of the effectiveness of this deception occurred on the night of April 1718, 1941. Although 144 aircraft attacked Portsmouth, only eight bombs fell on the city itself; the rest hit a decoy target, the surrounding area, or the nearby sea. Although visual deception was a little-noticed aspect of aerial warfare, particularly during the Blitz, it played a vital role in the defense of Great Britain and important targets abroad. The whole story of the ingenious and sophisticated methods used to deceive Hitler's bombers is indeed fascinating.

Napier, Michael/Hector, Gareth (Illustr.): RAF Lightning Units of the Cold War 19,95 €

Tue, 12 May 2026 07:00:12 +0200

Die Mach-2-fähige English Electric Lightning ist wohl das legendärste Flugzeug der Royal Air Force (RAF) im Kalten Krieg. Mit ihrer deutlich gesteigerten Leistung und den verbesserten Radar- und Waffensystemen im Vergleich zu ihren Vorgängern eröffnete die Lightning der RAF neue Möglichkeiten in der Luftverteidigung. Die Taktiken wurden an das Flugzeug angepasst, darunter die routinemäßige Luftbetankung aufgrund der notorisch geringen Reichweite der Lightning. Der pensionierte Jagdflieger Mike Napier erzählt anhand von Augenzeugenberichten ehemaliger RAF-Piloten die Geschichte von Großbritanniens ultimativem Düsenjäger des Kalten Krieges. Von den Übungen der Lightning mit anderen NATO-Luftstreitkräften bis hin zum Abfangen sowjetischer Langstreckenbomber vom Typ "Badger" und "Bear" Ende der 1960er-Jahre - dieser Band ergänzt die ereignisreiche Einsatzgeschichte des Flugzeugs mit 20 Porträtzeichnungen und Fotografien aus offiziellen und privaten Archiven.