Publisher Description:
Detailed and well illustrated account of this classic aircraft and its operations. Full listing of airframes. Technical data. Squadron details. 10 colour profiles. 6 colour 7-views. 14 colour & 204 b/w photos. 144 pages. Softback
John Severne joined the RAF in 1944 and gained his wings two months after World War II ended. This book captures the author's great passion for flying, whether it be in jet-fighters, light aircraft, helicopters or making model planes and gives details of his long a illustrious career. His first posting was to No 264 Night Fighter Squadron flying the de Havilland Mosquito. On a flying instructor's course at the Central Flying School, he flew a Lancaster, Spitfire and his first jet - the Vampire. Posted to Germany as a flight commander on a Venom squadron, he was awarded an Air Force Cross for landing an aircraft that had caught fire. As a Squadron Leader, he became Equerry to the Duke of Edinburgh. Then followed a period as chief instructor on Britain's first supersonic fighter, the English Electric Lightning. Later he became 'Wing Commander Ops' at the joint HQ of Middle East Command where he was involved in counter-terrorist operations in Aden. As Station Commander of RAF Kinloss, he was responsible for the introduction of the Nimrod in 1971 and at the height of the Cold War when these new anti-submarine aircraft were a vital part of Britain's defense.
<DIV>A series of books that provide, for the first time, the detailed information every pilot needs to know about the aircraft they are flying. Each book in the series covers all aspects of a popular aircraft type and is illustrated throughout with photographs and diagrams.</DIV>
<DIV>The Rolls-Royce Merlin is considered by many to be the most outstanding liquid-cooled reciprocating piston engine of World War II. It powered the majority of Allied aircraft in Europe, including British and American designs. This book examines the origins of the engine's development from its predecessor, the Kestrel, through its single-stage conception to its two-speed, two-stage final form. Twenty-two Merlin powered aircraft are then examined in depth with examinations of development, design, construction and eventual operation. Wonderful design drawings by Lyndon Jones are themselves masterpieces. Included amongst the aircraft described in the book are the Avro Lancaster, Lincoln and York, the de Havilland Mosquito and Hornet, the Bristol Beaufighter II and IV, the Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire, the North American Mustang, the Handley Page Halifax, the Curtiss P40 Kittyhawk and the Vickers Wellington.</DIV>
Describes the camouflage schemes and markings applied to the de Havilland Hornet in RAF service, 1944 to 1955, with eight pages of full colour illustraions by John Fox...
Tony Buttler describes the development and service career of the ultimate twin-piston-engined British fighter. Includes scale drawings by Tim Hall and cutaway of the Hornet FMk I by J.H.Clark
In the second half of his account of flying the de Havilland Hornet during the Malayan Emergency of the Fifties, Fit Lt Mike Retallack MBE RAF (Retd) recalls a failure of Intelligence, and a visit to Hong Kong
Opening with Spitfires and Hornets, the 1950's ended with the threat that manned aircraft were a thing of the past. Steve Bond examines ten years of Fighters
Capt Eric Brown continues his series on flying post-war naval aircraft with a contribution on the de Havilland Sea Hornet, which he recalls as the best aeroplane he has ever flown
This months photos come from Sqn Ldr H.J. (Jack) Greenland, who was employed by de Havillands from 1937 till 1950. During the early part of the last war he instructed on No. 1 EFTS at Parnshanger and then became a production test pilot at Hatfield flying Mosquitoes. With the arrival of the Hornet his time was deivided between these two types, and he carried out the first flights of many of the Hornets featured in the first part of our Hornet story. In fact, it was this that prompted him to send in these pictures
