1991, ISBN: 9780727402639

Sparkford, 1991, Patrick Stephens, UK first edition, hard bound in dust jacket, 6 x 9, Fine/Fine condition, glossy page stock, 256 pages, massively illustrated, many appendices, index.&#… Mehr…

Sparkford, 1991, Patrick Stephens, UK first edition, hard bound in dust jacket, 6 x 9, Fine/Fine condition, glossy page stock, 256 pages, massively illustrated, many appendices, index.-----------------------------------------------------Did you know that the wings of one of the finest bombers to be built during the Second World War were originally meant to fold like a butterfly's to fit into existing hangars? Or that plans existed for No. 617 Squadron (later to become famous as 'The Dambusters') to be formed before the war even began? Or that the Defiant was originally intended for quite a different use from that for which it was employed?Using much previously unpublished material drawn from records not widely available to the general public, Michael Bowyer has put together probably the most comprehensive account yet of the origins and operations of the RAF aircraft that played a part in the Battle of Britain, from the well-known and much glamorized Supermarine Spitfire to the 'flying porcupine' Short Sunderland and the lumbering, underpowered Fairey Battle. Together with other RAF front line types they kept the enemy at bay for three-and-a-half months, and every example that is known to have seen operational squadron use during that period is listed here – producing a unique record.------------------------------------------------------------------Aircraft types are presented in their respective categories, with equal weight being given for the first time to the vital contribution made to the conflict by Coastal Command's Ansons,Blenheims, Whitleys and others. They patrolled the seas from Brittany to the Arctic while Blenheims, Hampdens, Wellingtons and Whitleys of Bomber Command attacked a wide range of European targets, and Hurricanes and Spitfires of Fighter Command defended the skies over Britain. All this activity is recorded here in immense detail and will give hours of pleasure to anyone interested in the history of wartime aviation., 0, White Lion Publishers, London, 1977, 2nd UK edition, hard bound in dust jacket, 6 x 9, FINE/FINE CONDITION, ( dj price clipped), 208 pages, illustrated....................................... For nearly two years during the Second World War, the Royal Navy used a "phantom fleet" — dummy warships, built up with wood and canvas, armed with wooden guns. Three of these were old merchant ships dressed up to resemble an aircraft-carrier and two famous battleships; the trio posed as a powerful striking force. In fact they could do little more than puff smoke at the enemy. The phantoms were used as bait for U-boats and they drew on to themselves the weight of enemy air attacks; they helped to keep the enemy guessing as to how our capital ships were disposed. The idea was thought up by Winston Churchill and was used with success in both world wars................................................................................. The officers and men who crewed the phantoms did not lack for courage —their ships were vast helpless sitting-ducks, and it was their duty to attract the attention of the enemy; they could not hit back for their guns fired nothing more lethal than black smoke................................................................................ The greatest of the phantoms was the ex-battleship Centurion. Over thirty years old, she was disarmed after the First World War and used as a target ship; in 1941, in full war-paint, she sailed from Devonport, brilliantly disguised as the brand-new battleship Anson, which had not yet been commissioned. Her armament was only a few machine guns, but she looked formidable enough. She sailed round the Cape unescorted and on to India — she had a bad moment on the way when one of her "gun turrets" was washed overboard. She took part in the most savagely attacked Malta convoy and was singled out for special attack by Stukas, but she not only kept afloat, she successfully kept up her impersonation., 0<

1977, ISBN: 0727402633

[EAN: 9780727402639], [PU: White Lion Publishers], Jacket, White Lion Publishers, London, 1977, 2nd UK edition, hard bound in dust jacket, 6 x 9, FINE/FINE CONDITION, ( dj price clipped),… Mehr…

[EAN: 9780727402639], [PU: White Lion Publishers], Jacket, White Lion Publishers, London, 1977, 2nd UK edition, hard bound in dust jacket, 6 x 9, FINE/FINE CONDITION, ( dj price clipped), 208 pages, illustrated. For nearly two years during the Second World War, the Royal Navy used a "phantom fleet" — dummy warships, built up with wood and canvas, armed with wooden guns. Three of these were old merchant ships dressed up to resemble an aircraft-carrier and two famous battleships; the trio posed as a powerful striking force. In fact they could do little more than puff smoke at the enemy. The phantoms were used as bait for U-boats and they drew on to themselves the weight of enemy air attacks; they helped to keep the enemy guessing as to how our capital ships were disposed. The idea was thought up by Winston Churchill and was used with success in both world wars. The officers and men who crewed the phantoms did not lack for courage —their ships were vast helpless sitting-ducks, and it was their duty to attract the attention of the enemy; they could not hit back for their guns fired nothing more lethal than black smoke. The greatest of the phantoms was the ex-battleship Centurion. Over thirty years old, she was disarmed after the First World War and used as a target ship; in 1941, in full war-paint, she sailed from Devonport, brilliantly disguised as the brand-new battleship Anson, which had not yet been commissioned. Her armament was only a few machine guns, but she looked formidable enough. She sailed round the Cape unescorted and on to India — she had a bad moment on the way when one of her "gun turrets" was washed overboard. She took part in the most savagely attacked Malta convoy and was singled out for special attack by Stukas, but she not only kept afloat, she successfully kept up her impersonation., Books<