Discover the daring life story and astonishing adventures of Captain Eric 'Winkle' Brown - Britain's greatest-ever pilot 'Winkle Brown's astonishing adventures make for fascinating reading' SUNDAY TIMES'[A] thumping great biography by Britain's leading aviation historian' DAILY MAIL, 'BOOK OF THE WEEK'*MARITIME MEDIA AWARDS BEST BOOK NOMINEE*--Small in stature but immense in reputation and talent, there was more to Eric 'Winkle' Brown than met the eye.From shooting down Luftwaffe bombers from the deck of a carrier in the Battle of the Atlantic and narrowly escaping death when his ship was torpedoed, to accumulating a never-to-be repeated litany of world records and firsts as a test pilot, his unparalleled flying career saw him take the controls of over four hundred different kinds of aircraft - more than any other pilot in history.A rival to Chuck Yeager and hero to Neil Armstrong, by the time of his appearance on Desert Island Discs' 1000th episode Winkle had become a legend in his own lifetime, and by his death, a national treasure.But despite his enormous fame, there have always been mysteries at the heart of Winkle's story.Now, drawing on previously unseen documents and unfettered access to Winkle's own personal archive, Paul Beaver uncovers the complex and enigmatic man behind the legend - the real story of Britain's greatest pilot.A story Winkle insisted could only be told after his death . . .----------'Compelling, fascinating and frequently jaw-dropping. A brilliant and revelatory biography' JAMES HOLLAND'Beaver recounts the story of a man he regarded as a mentor in unshowy but fascinating detail, and restores a British hero to his rightful place' OBSERVER'An excellent biography' PATRICK BISHOP, DAILY TELEGRAPH'The extraordinary story [of] a fearless pilot and decorated war hero. Epic' THE HERALD'A thrilling new biography' DAILY EXPRESS'A thumping great biography of the flying ace who made Top Gun look tame ... enthralling' DAILY MAIL'Riveting ... one of those must-read books, compelling and full of incidents that leave you gasping with surprise ... an incredible story' FLYER'An incredible life ... Brown took a secret to the grave that makes his story all the more remarkable' THE SUN Read more

The definitive account of the rise and fall of the iconic Concorde plane from British Airways' former Chief Concorde Pilot'A remarkable story' DAILY EXPRESS'A stonking good read' FLYER_________What's it like to fly faster than a bullet?Could you really glimpse the edge of space?Why will we never see Concorde's like again?Mike Bannister was British Airways' Chief Concorde Pilot. One of the few in that legendary aircraft's quarter-century of flight to fully understand both the plane's intricate engineering and what it took to fly her at supersonic speeds.In this definitive account of the rise and fall of the world's greatest aircraft, Bannister explores its origins, development, service, highs, lows and, finally, the terrible crash which ended its flying life.Part celebration, part history, part detective story and part courtroom drama, it's almost as riveting as flying in Concorde itself - almost . . ._________'Concorde represented the sheer wondrous genius of the human race' JEREMY CLARKSON Read more

A compelling history of the most successful flying boat ever to serve the Royal Air Force—the ‘Queen of the Boats’—the Short Sunderland.Ideal for fans of Alexander McKee, Andrew Hendrie, Ken Delve, and Martin W. Bowman.The story of the Sunderland flying boat began with the innovative Short brothers, Horace, Albert, and Hugh, who, since 1908, were at the forefront of British aeroplane design and manufacturing. Having trained the first Royal Navy officers as pilots in their flying machines and successfully deployed seaplanes during World War One, they were well-positioned in 1933 to meet the RAF’s need for a long-range, four-engine flying boat with armaments, sleeping accommodations, and catering facilities. The result was the Short Sunderland, entering RAF service and history books in 1938.In this book, Chaz Bowyer traces the evolution of this remarkable aircraft and the valuable contribution it made to the Allied campaign worldwide throughout the Second World War. Bowyer’s research is thorough and exhaustive, drawing on sources that include original documentation, reports, and many first-hand accounts from those who flew or worked on the Sunderland in the UK and abroad.The Sunderland served the RAF for a total of 21 years, during which it is estimated to have been instrumental in destroying or damaging at least 60 German and Italian U-boats. Operating as part of Coastal Command, it played a vital role throughout the war: protecting shipping routes and convoys, reconnaissance, supplying aid and evacuations, air-sea rescues, and passenger transportation, to name but a few. Post-war, its usefulness endured, supporting the Berlin Airlift, with many aircraft converted for use in civil aviation. Reading this account, it is easy to see why the Sunderland inspired such awe and affection among those who lived and worked with it. Read more

THE MANUAL USED BY RAF LANCASTER PILOTS IN THE BOMBER OFFENSIVE AGAINST GERMANY. Spring 1944, the RAF bomber offensive against Nazi Germany is in full swing, you’ve just gained your ‘wings’ and been selected to fly heavy bombers – and the most advanced and successful bomber aircraft in the world at that, the Avro Lancaster. A slim booklet, 'Pilot’s and Flight Engineer’s Notes Lancaster Mark I, III & X' is pressed into your hands by your squadron commander and you are told to study it before your first flight. This official manual also covers the duties of the Lancaster’s flight engineer, a vital member of the seven-strong aircrew who sat next to the pilot in the cockpit and ran the four-engined bombers intricate systems. The Air Ministry published 'Pilot’s Notes' on every type of aircraft the RAF flew. They were designed so the pilot could familiarise themselves with the aircraft’s individual controls, flying characteristics and operational limits, rather like an owner’s manual. Answers the questions below and many more: How do you land on only two engines? Under what circumstances would you ‘feather’ one of the Lancaster’s Merlin engines? How do you open the bomb doors? What is the safest take-off speed with a full bomb-load? Can the automatic pilot be used with two dead engines on one side? What is the cockpit drill if there is a fire onboard? How do you put out an engine fire? How do you ‘ditch’ in the sea? How do you parachute-out a wounded crewman? If you crash-land in enemy territory how do you destroy your aircraft? ABOUT THE AUTHOR The Air Ministry was a department of the British government with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the RAF. Pilot’s Notes were in fact exact copies of sections from a far larger publication issued by the Air Ministry covering every aspect of the aeroplane including basic electrical system, details of the airframe, engine installation etc. The maintenance sections were used by the RAF ground crew ‘erks’ to help familiarise those whose job it was to keep such systems working. In 1964 the Air Ministry was merged with the Admiralty and the War Office to form the Ministry of Defence. Read more

The United States built the best strategic bombers of World War II, and by the end of the conflict America’s bombers dominated the skies in both Europe and the Pacific. American Bomber Aircraft of World War II is a detailed guide to all the bombers deployed by the USAAF and US Navy from 1941 to 1945. Organised chronologically, this book includes all the great types of the era, such as the B-17 Flying Fortress, which led the daylight bombing campaign against German industrial targets; the B-24 Liberator, which carried out the famous raid on the Ploesti oil refinery in Romania in 1943; the rugged Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bomber, flown by US Navy pilots at the Battle Midway in that key turning point in the Pacific War; and the B-29 Superfortress, the aircraft most responsible for degrading Japan’s ability to wage war with their constant aerial attacks throughout 1944 and 1945. The guide is illustrated with profile artworks and three-views, as well as two-page dynamic artworks of some of the more famous aircraft in service, such as the highly- adaptable B-25 Mitchell, which served in every theatre in a variety of roles, the Douglas Dauntless SBD naval scout plane, and the Martin B-26 Marauder, one of the fastest medium bombers of its era. Illustrated with more than 100 authentic artworks with accurate markings and camouflage, American Bomber Aircraft of World War II is an essential reference guide for modellers and military aviation enthusiasts. Read more

Publisher's Note: Products purchased from Third Party sellers are not guaranteed by the publisher for quality,       authenticity, or access to any online entitlements included with the product.WHAT'S IN STICK AND RUDDER:The invisible secret of all heavier-than-air flight: the Angle of Attack. What it is, and why it can't be seen. How lift is made, and what the pilot has to do with it.Why airplanes stall How do you know you're about to stall?The landing approach. How the pilot's eye functions in judging the approach.The visual clues by which an experienced pilot unconsciously judges: how you can quickly learn to use them."The Spot that does not move." This is the first statement of this phenomenon. A foolproof method of making a landing approach across pole lines and trees.The elevator and the throttle. One controls the speed, the other controls climb and descent. Which is which?The paradox of the glide. By pointing the nose down less steeply, you descend more steeply. By pointing the nose down more steeply, you can glide further.What's the rudder for? The rudder does NOT turn the airplane the way a boat's rudder turns the boat. Then what does it do?How a turn is flown. The role of ailerons, rudder, and elevator in making a turn.The landing--how it's made. The visual clues that tell you where the ground is.The "tail-dragger" landing gear and what's tricky about it. This is probably the only analysis of tail-draggers now available to those who want to fly one.The tricycle landing gear and what's so good about it. A strong advocacy of the tricycle gear written at a time when almost all civil airplanes were taildraggers.Why the airplane doesn't feel the wind. Why the airplane usually flies a little sidewise.Plus: a chapter on Air Accidents by Leighton Collins, founder and editor of AIR FACTS. His analyses of aviation's safety problems have deeply influenced pilots and aeronautical engineers and have contributed to the benign characteristics of today's airplane.Stick and Rudder is the first exact analysis of the art of flying ever attempted. It has been continously in print for thirty-three years. It shows precisely what the pilot does when he flies, just how he does it, and why.Because the basics are largely unchanging, the book therefore is applicable to large airplanes and small, old airplanes and new, and is of interest not only to the learner but also to the accomplished pilot and to the instructor himself.When Stick and Rudder first came out, some of its contents were considered highly controversial. In recent years its formulations have become widely accepted. Pilots and flight instructors have found that the book works.Today several excellent manuals offer the pilot accurate and valuable technical information. But Stick and Rudder remains the leading think-book on the art of flying. One thorough reading of it is the equivalent of many hours of practice. Read more

A wonderful novel and perfect book club choice, The Right Stuff is a wildly vivid and entertaining chronicle of America's early space programme.WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY US ASTRONAUT SCOTT KELLY‘What is it,’ asks Tom Wolfe, ‘that makes a man willing to sit on top of an enormous Roman Candle…and wait for someone to light the fuse?’ Arrogance? Stupidity? Courage? Or, simply, that quality we call 'the right stuff'?A monument to the men who battled to beat the Russians into space, The Right Stuff is a voyage into the mythology of the American space programme, and a dizzying dive into the sweat, fear, beauty and danger of being on the white-hot edge of history in the making.‘Tom Wolfe at his very best… Learned, cheeky, risky, touching, tough, compassionate, nostalgic, worshipful, jingoistic...The Right Stuff is superb’ New York Times Book Review Read more

A definitive history of one of the Allies' most important planes of World War II, flying from the first to the last day of the war.This book is essential reading for fans of John Nichol, Rowland White, and Donald L. Miller.Designed by Sir Barnes Wallis, the Vickers Wellington featured an innovative geodetic airframe that allowed it to withstand monumental damage without being brought down, with pilots regularly returning to base despite large sections of the fuselage missing. This unique design enabled the medium bomber to become the backbone of RAF Bomber Command during the first three years of the war. When it was eventually superseded by larger bombers, it was not consigned to history but instead proved its versatility, serving as one of the first bombers equipped for night raids, as well as in anti-submarine warfare, convoy protection, torpedo bombing, and essential training.Through in-depth research and hundreds of interviews with air and ground crews, Chaz Bowyer provides fascinating insights into the Wellington bomber’s contribution to the war effort. He traces the technical origins and development of Wallis's aircraft, before revealing what it was like to fly through the heat of battle, including some of the longest bombing missions of the era.The Wellington Bomber is a remarkable tribute to this innovative and respected aircraft, whose versatility made it one of the most successful operational planes of all time. Read more

Illustrated with detailed artworks of Japanese aircraft and their markings, Japanese Aircraft of World War II is a detailed guide to all the aircraft deployed by the Japanese military from the Second Sino-Japanese War to the surrender in the Pacific in August 1945. Organised alphabetically by manufacturer, this book includes every type of aircraft, from fighters to seaplanes, bombers, reconnaissance aircraft, torpedo bombers and carrier aircraft. All the best-known types are featured, such as the Mitsubishi G4M Betty , Nakajima B6N2 Tenzan, Aichi B7A2 Ryusei torpedo bomber and the world- famous Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter. The entries are accompanied by exhaustive captions and specifications. The guide is illustrated with profile artworks, three-views, and special cutaway artworks of the more famous aircraft in service, such as the Aichi D3A1 Val , Mitsubishi A6M2 Reisen, and Nakajima Ki.27 Nate . Illustrated with more than 120 artworks, Japanese Aircraft of World War II is an essential reference guide for modellers and enthusiasts with an interest in military aircraft of World War II. Read more

The United States Army Air Force (USAAF) came into its own during World War II, building some of the premier fighters of the era. American Fighter Aircraft of World War II is a detailed guide to all the fighter aircraft types deployed by the USAAF and US Navy from 1941 to 1945. Organised chronologically, this book includes all-time greats, such as the highly- adaptable P-51 Mustang bomber escort, the carrier-based F6F Hellcat – which outperformed the legendary Japanese A6M Zero fighter – and the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, with its distinctive twin-boom design; as well as lesser-known types, such as the Boeing P-26 Peashooter, the high-altitude Republic P-43 Lancer, and the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star, the USAAF’s only operational jet fighter during the war. The entries are accompanied by exhaustive captions and specifications. The guide is illustrated with profile artworks and three-views, as well as two-page dynamic artworks of some of the more famous aircraft in service, such as the P-40 Warhawk ground-attack variant, the twin-engined P-61 Black Widow night-fighter, and the robust P-47 Thunderbolt fighter-bomber. Illustrated with more than 100 authentic artworks with accurate markings and camouflage, American Fighter Aircraft of World War II is an essential reference guide for modellers and military aviation enthusiasts. Read more

**Over 8000 FIVE STAR reviews across Amazon and Goodreads for the Harry Rose series**Join Pilot Officer Harry Rose as he defends the British skies against Nazi forces in this action-packed World War Two box set.Perfect for fans of Clive Cussler, Len Deighton, D.R. Bailey, Patrick Larsimont, Pierre Clostermann and Robert Jackson.MEET HARRY ROSEHarry Rose begins the war as an idealistic and inexperienced pilot. He is keen to give his utmost. But he is immediately exposed to both the true horrors and the exhilaration of air combat shattering his youthful innocence. His bravery and resilience throughout the war lead him to the position of Squadron Leader of Excalibur, where he must command his men in the desperate fight for their lives.PRAISE FOR RUSSELL SULLMAN:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Russell Sullman has done it again.’ Russell G.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘It’s well written, engaging and I enjoyed all the books.’ G. Smith⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Russell Sullman captures so well the horrors of war.’ James⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This book captures both thrill and fear.’ H. Mac⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘The attention to detail is excellent.’ Colin J.IN THIS FIVE-BOOK BOX SET:BOOK 1: TO SO FEW1940. France has fallen to Nazi Germany and Britain now stands alone. Pilot Officer Harry Rose joins the elite Excalibur Squadron — a Hawker Hurricane fighter unit based in southern England — fresh from training and desperate to prove himself. But the enemy Luftwaffe outnumber the British forces, and the country is on the brink of falling. As he faces the grim battle in the skies above Britain, Rose must grow from hesitant recruit to formidable fighter pilot if he hopes to make it out alive.BOOK 2: BEAUFIGHTER BLITZ1941. The Luftwaffe has switched tactics and is hoping to overwhelm British forces with its devastating nighttime bombing raids. Harry Rose is called to pilot the RAF's new formidable twin-engine Beaufighter in the hope of stopping the enemy. He and a small band of British night fighter air crews will join in the defence of their nation and prove that in the darkest night, there is nowhere to hide . . .BOOK 3: TYPHOON ACE1942. Flight Lieutenant Harry Rose is persuaded to return to the battle in the skies and re-join Excalibur Squadron. He is driven by the hope that his return will make a difference in the war, especially with an impressive new aircraft — the Hawker Typhoon. Rose throws everything into leading the air raids over occupied France, and as the Luftwaffe turn their focus to the east, it seems to be working. But the threat of annihilation is never far away.BOOK 4: FIGHTER FURY1944. Harry Rose is now the leader of Excalibur Squadron and with his men they must cripple Nazi defences as the Allies prepare for the liberation of Europe. But with relentless anti-aircraft fire from the Luftwaffe, this is their deadliest fight yet. He must command his men to brave the German forces, all the while knowing that every mission could lead them to their death . . .BOOK 5: TEMPEST GLORYAfter four years of brutal war, peace is finally on the horizon. Harry Rose’s courage has earned him a promotion to RAF Wing Commander. Leading the elite No. 63 Wing, his mission is to crush the Luftwaffe as the Allies prepare for their final assault on Germany. But Rose and his men face a fierce battle from both the ground and sky by an increasingly desperate enemy. Everything comes down to this. Will Rose survive to know the coming peace?*100% of the author's royalties from this box set will be donated to Cancer Research UK*GET THE *COMPLETE* SERIES OF EXHILARATING HISTORICAL AVIATION THRILLERS IN THIS GRIPPING BOX SET. Read more

THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP 10 BESTSELLERRead the legendary story of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft, seen through the eyes of former RAF captain Scott Bateman'An engaging and revealing read' JOHN NICHOL---Anytime, Anywhere, Anyhow. Whether it’s war, natural disaster, or humanitarian emergency, for over fifty years the RAF’s Hercules force was the first in and last out of any crisis faced by the UK government around the globe.First conceived in the 1950s, the US-built Lockheed C-130 Hercules earned its spurs flying difficult and dangerous missions in the Vietnam War before entering service with air forces around the world. Originally designed as transport aircraft, the Hercules has been pressed into service as an aerial tanker, gunship, spyplane, air-sea rescuer and bomber.Instantly recognisable, it became synonymous with daring special forces missions like the legendary raid in Entebbe in which dozens of hostages were rescued from the clutches of terrorists. In RAF colours it's seen action on every continent on the planet including Antarctica, flying life and death missions in the Falklands, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Sudan and all points in between.Former RAF Hercules Captain Scott Bateman opens the cockpit to give an action-packed insider’s account of what it’s like to fly this legendary flying machine in peace and war, and at home and abroad, paying tribute to the remarkable men and women who operated this much loved aircraft, and to those comrades in arms who, in doing so, made the ultimate sacrifice. Read more

True Stories of Aircraft and Passengers Who Disappeared Into Thin Air For many, aviation still brings with it an air of mystery, a century-long magic trick. Though most of us will board an aircraft at some point in our lives, we know little about how they work and the procedures surrounding their operation. It is that mystery that makes these losses, such as the vanishing of Malaysia Airlines flight 370, so terrifying. Without a Trace explores the most interesting of these disappearances: mysteries that have baffled investigators for years. Occasionally tragic, frequently amusing, Without a Trace is unerringly accurate and informative. The two Without a Trace volumes span 150 years and explore mysteries from around the world. This is volume one, beginning just before the golden age of aviation with a manned balloon swept over the English Channel, and ending with a top-secret spy plane disappearing at the height of the cold war. Each case is laid out in rich detail and presented chronologically, highlighting the historical context, official accident reports and contemporary news surrounding each mystery. Where did they go? Sylvia Wrigley introduces the crews, innocent bystanders and rescuers in this collection of true stories. Documenting the popular theories from each case, she uses her knowledge and experience as a pilot and an aviation journalist to demystify aviation jargon and narrow down each disappearance to the most likely explanations. This collection takes a hard look at the human failings of great aviators, explorers and celebrities who have pushed the limits of flight and ended up at the heart of a mystery. The stories encompass airships, military jets and commercial airlines - all of which have vanished without a trace. Read more

Sliding out of the shadows of World War Two, the de Havilland Vampire – accompanied by the distinctive whine of its Goblin engine – quickly proved itself an effective alternative to piston-powered fighters. After entering operational service with the RAF (as the service’s first single-engined jet) in 1946, the Vampire – sought by air forces the world over – held a number of notable records: the first fighter to exceed 500 mph, the first to set a world altitude record of almost 60,000 ft, the first jet to take off and land from an aircraft carrier, and the first jet to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Not bad for something built partly of wood. Throughout these pages, the “Vampire Boys” bring to life the trials and tribulations of operating a first-generation jet across the globe. Through their insightful anecdotes and exceptional experiences, the reader can follow squadrons across the dusty deserts of Iraq to exercises in West Germany. First-hand tales of training, aerial handling, incidents and accidents (including the much-maligned spin characteristics) and squadron life – accompanied by unique images – bring together a portrait of a pioneering time in aviation advancement, right up to the present day with the T.11 still flying from Coventry Airport. Read more

The story of the fighter that wouldn’t back downFrom the Cold War’s frontlines to the battlefields of today, the MiG-29 Fulcrum has carved its name into the history of aerial warfare. Red Bandit pulls you into the cockpit of this legendary jet, delivering a visceral, no-holds-barred chronicle of its battlefield legacy. From its Cold War debut to its modern-day skirmishes, this is the definitive story of a fighter born from the crucible of the East-West rivalry.Based on declassified reports, first-hand pilot accounts, and meticulous combat analysis, Red Bandit strips away the myths to reveal the true capabilities—and limits—of Russia’s iconic warbird. Witness its clashes in the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe, and trace its evolution from a Soviet frontline defender to a key player in 21st-Century conflicts. Whether dogfighting over the Persian Gulf or facing off in Kosovo, the MiG-29’s record is as complex as it is explosive.Perfect for military aviation fans, historians, and thrill-seekers alike, Red Bandit is more than just a parochial history—it’s a high-stakes, sky-scorching narrative of power, politics, and heart-pounding dogfights. Strap in for a supersonic ride through four decades of aerial combat...and discover how a jet designed to fight World War III found itself fighting on today's battlefronts. Read more

WEST WITH THE NIGHT appeared on 13 bestseller lists on first publication in 1942. It tells the spellbinding story of Beryl Markham -- aviator, racehorse trainer, fascinating beauty -and her life in the Kenya of the 1920s and 30s. Markham was taken to Kenya at the age of four. As an adult she was befriended by Denys Finch-Hatton, the big-game hunter of OUT OF AFRICA fame, who took her flying in his airplane. Thrilled by the experience, Markham went on to become the first woman in Kenya to receive a commercial pilot's license. In 1936 she determined to fly solo across the Atlantic -- without stopping. When Charles Lindbergh did the same, he had the wind behind him. Markham, by contrast, had a strong headwind against her and a plane that only flew up to 163 mph. On 4 September, she took off ... Several days later, she crash-landed in Nova Scotia and became an instant celebrity. Read more

REVIEWS (Previous Edition)The accurate details the author painstakingly assembled make it such a valuable reference for all the "classic" international jet accidents. It reads beautifully, with excellent and clear expression avoiding the tiresome cliches that unfortunately so often mar a book on this fascinating subject.Macarthur Job OAM, Aviation Writer and Air Safety ConsultantTHIS SECOND EDITIONNow has eighty-five accounts, some short, some long, with hard-hitting analyses, ranging from the disappearance of Amelia Earhart to that of Malaysian Airlines MH370, not forgetting the imbroglio of Air France AF447. As before, each chapter covers a specific type of incident in chronological order. This shows the evolution of accidents over time, but means those of the greatest interest may well be nested within the chapter.While the reader can "flip through" the print version picking out items to get a good overview, on the Kindle you can search for a keyword, such as a flight number or location, and go straight to it.It was the lessons learned from these incidents that made flying so safe today. Read more

'Robert Verkaik makes a revisionist case for an unsung aircraft, the Boulton Paul Defiant. This two-seat gun-turret fighter is, argues Verkaik, the forgotten fighter of Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain; the effectiveness as well as the courage of its crews is overlooked in standard accounts. To advance his case, he notes that a Defiant squadron still holds the record for the number of enemy aircraft shot down in a single day, with a claimed figure of 38'Times'Robert Verkaik tells the story of the Battle of Britain's unlikeliest hero with verve and phenomenal grasp of detail. He brings the Defiant fighter back into focus as an important part of the victorious RAF in the hour of its greatest trial'Mark Urban'Meticulously researched and rich in human and social as well as military interest, Defiant fills a crucial gap in our understanding of that most perilous time' David Kynaston, author of Austerity Britain'Firmly establishes the aircraft's role in those crucial aerial battles of 1940 and elevates the brave aircrews who fought and died in their forgotten Defiants, to rank alongside their comrades in the better remembered Hurricanes and Spitfires.'David Fairhead, director of Spitfire'Verkaik is an excellent guide, making his case with a restrained passion, taking us through the inter-war rearmament before cataloguing the muddled thinking, the political infighting, the inter-service and personality rivalries. His research was clearly a labour of love, leaving no Whitehall paper or airman's letter unturned in his search for the truth, and he never forgets the human dimension behind the losses'Simon Humphreys, Mail on Sunday, five stars'Defiant is both a stirring testament to the courage of the men who flew them and a welcome new examination of one of the Second World War's most famous conflicts'Alexander Larman, ObserverPraise for Jihadi John:'An exemplary account . . . The book's most important contribution is to highlight the difficulties faced by the intelligence services . . . a first-class primer on Muslim extremism in Britain.'Max Hastings, Sunday TimesPraise for Posh Boys:'The latest in the series of powerful books on the divisions in modern Britain, and will take its place on many bookshelves beside Reni Eddo-Lodge's Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race and Owen Jones's Chavs.'Andrew Marr, Sunday Times'Inspired, committed, careful and kind.'Danny Dorling, author of Inequality and the 1%In this startling new perspective on the Battle of Britain, Robert Verkaik reveals the surprising truth about the battle's forgotten fighter, the Boulton Paul Defiant. The crucial role played by the Spitfire and the Hurricane has been exhaustively recorded, but, to date, next to nothing has been written about the third British fighter which took part in the battle. By writing from the unique perspective of the pilots who flew the Defiant and their air-gunners, Verkaik helps to set the record straight. The Air Staff regarded the Defiant as a state-of-the-art bomber destroyer and wanted to equip a third of all Fighter Command squadrons with this new plane. But the head of Fighter Command, Hugh Dowding, had other ideas and went to war with Whitehall over its plan to saddle him with hundreds of 'obsolete' turret fighters. Then at Dunkirk, a Defiant squadron scored a huge success against the Luftwaffe by shooting down more German planes in one day than any other RAF unit before or since. Fighter Command, enthusiastically urged on by the Air Ministry, now committed its third fighter to the coming air battle over southern England. In the desperate dogfights of the battle, Defiants shot down both German bombers and fighters but suffered heavy losses too - one squadron was almost wiped out when it was ambushed by a superior force of Messerschmitt 109s. On 30 August 1940 all Defiant squadrons were withdrawn from the front line. The families of the Defiant air crews believed that their husbands, brothers and sons had died in vain, but the truth is that their vital contribution to the battle over Dunkirk and their role in the Battle of Britain has been all but erased from the official history. The story of the Defiant has not been allowed to mar the glorious victory won by the Spitfire and the Hurricane. But Verkaik has uncovered new records, including top-secret memos written by Hugh Dowding and his deputy Keith Park as well as correspondence with the Air Staff, combat and squadron reports, pilot logs and recordings of the last interviews with Defiant crews. He has also succeeded in tracing relatives of Defiant pilots and gunners to tell the story of the Battle of Britain as it has never been told before. He reveals how the myths which have grown up around the Defiant mask some inconvenient truths. Read more

The most iconic planes of WWII, the Supermarine Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane, DeHavilland Mosquito and the Avro Lancaster, were all powered by one engine, the Rolls-Royce Merlin. The story of the Merlin is one of British ingenuity at its height, of artistry and problem-solving that resulted in a war-winning design.Published to coincide with the 75th anniversary of VE Day and the 80th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Britain, Merlin is the extraordinary story of the development of the Rolls-Royce engine that would stop Hitler from invading Britain and carry the war to the very heart of Germany.The story of the Merlin engine encompasses the history of powered flight, from the ingenuity of the Wright Brothers to the horrors of World War I, and from the first crossing of the Atlantic to the heady days of flying in the 1920s. There is also the extraordinary story of the Schneider Trophy – an international contest wherein nations poised on the precipice of war competed for engineering excellence in the name of progress.And at the heart of this story are the glamourous lives of the pilots, many of whom died in their pursuit of speed; the engineers, like Henry Royce of Rolls-Royce, who sketched the engine that would win WWII in the sand of his local beach; and perhaps most importantly the Lady Lucy Houston who after the Wall Street Crash singlehandedly funded the development of the engine and the iconic Spitfire.Never was so much owed by so many to so few – and without the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, the few would have been powerless. Read more

Born in the 1950s when the Cold War was rapidly escalating, the subsonic Blackburn Buccaneer was designed as a carrier-borne strike aircraft, which eventually went on to serve both the Royal Navy and the RAF. The Buccaneer entered service with the Royal Navy in 1962 and was capable of operating from aircraft carriers to deliver nuclear weapons as well as conventional ordnance for anti-shipping strikes against Soviet warships in the North Sea area. With changes in Britain's defense strategy and a reduction in the number of its aircraft carriers, the Navy transferred its Buccaneers to the RAF in 1969 where they were used in the overland role and they went on to see combat action in the first Gulf War of 1991. The last Buccaneers were retired from RAF service in 1994. Read more