Peter Hawker's Books

Spitfire, Mustang and the 'Meredith Effect'

How a Soviet Spy Helped Change the Course of WWII

By: Peter Spring

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Spitfire, Mustang and the 'Meredith Effect'

How a Soviet Spy Helped Change the Course of WWII

By: Peter Spring

By the mid-1930s the obstacles to high speed that aircraft designers faced included the question of cooling the engine. This was a big challenge that those working on the new fast aeroplanes entering service as the war clouds gathered over Europe had to consider, as the drag from the system increased as a square of the speed. Ducted systems were designed which lowered drag, but these were based on the assumption that the system was cold. This ignored the potential energy from the air, heated by the radiator, for liquid-cooled aircraft, and from the discharged engine exhaust gases. It took a profoundly lateral thinker to harness the possibilities of the paradox that heat could cut the cost of cooling. That thinker was the British engineer Frederick William Meredith. A researcher at the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough until 1938, F.W. Meredith a key player in the UK’s development of the autopilot and remote-controlled aircraft. His contribution to Allied success in the Second World War was enormous – but, incredibly, he was also a known a Soviet agent. Few would doubt that the Supermarine Spitfire was a pioneering aeroplane – not because it was an all metal, monoplane with retractable undercarriage and enclosed cockpit as these were not unique – but because it was the first to incorporate a Meredith designed ducted cooling system. This was intended from the beginning to use heat to create ‘negative drag’. In practice the Spitfire’s design was flawed, as Meredith himself pointed out, and did not fully use what became known as the ‘Meredith Effect’. Meredith also made entirely overlooked but extremely important contributions to resolving the problem of how to induce air smoothly into cooling ducts at high speeds without which, as the Spitfire demonstrated, ducted cooling systems worked sub-optimally. The first aeroplane properly to exploit the ‘Meredith Effect’ was the North American P-51 Mustang, this being a very significant factor as to why it was 30mph faster than the Spitfire when both had the same Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. This book by Peters Spring examines the life of the remarkable, and controversial, F.W. Meredith, an individual who has largely been forgotten by history despite the brilliant advances he made – advances which helped the Allies win the war against Hitler’s Third Reich.

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346

Publisher

Air World

Published Date

ISBN 10

1526773538

ISBN 13

9781526773531

Somme Success

The Royal Flying Corps and the Battle of The Somme 1916

By: Peter Hart

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Somme Success

The Royal Flying Corps and the Battle of The Somme 1916

By: Peter Hart

This history of the Royal Flying Corps during the Battle of Somme offers a comprehensive firsthand look at WWI military aviation. During the summer and fall of 1916, high above the blood-soaked trenches of the Somme, the Royal Flying Corps was engaging in one of the first great aerial battles of history. Even in those pioneering days of aerial warfare, primitive aircraft and the brave men who flew them were proving vital. Before the battle, photographic reconnaissance aircraft from both sides were desperately trying to map the opposition's deployment; artillery spotting aircraft were locating hidden targets; and bombing raids had become standard. Somme Success provides a detailed description of all facets of air operations of the period using the firsthand accounts of those who were there. It describes how the Royal Flying Corps answered the Fokker scourge in Airco DH.2 single-seater planes and, later, the ubiquitous F.E.2b two-seaters—the plane that shot down German 'Ace' Max Immelmann. Having conceded air supremacy to the Royal Flying Corps early in the Somme Offensive, the German Air Service launched an aerial counterattack during August and September. The Albatross single-seaters of the elite scout squadron proved superior to any allied aircraft. When German fighter pilot Manfred von Richthofen—the Red Baron—took to the skies, a new period of German supremacy began.

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492

Publisher

Casemate Publishers

Published Date

ISBN 10

1781598029

ISBN 13

9781781598023

The Last Escaper

The Untold First-Hand Story of the Legendary World War II Bomber Pilot, "Cooler King" and Arch Escape Artist

By: Peter Tunstall

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The Last Escaper

The Untold First-Hand Story of the Legendary World War II Bomber Pilot, "Cooler King" and Arch Escape Artist

By: Peter Tunstall

“A remarkable memoir of a British lad’s salad days flying bombers against the Nazis and then repeatedly escaping their prison camps” (Kirkus Reviews). The product of a lifetime’s reflection, The Last Escaper is Peter Tunstall’s unforgettable memoir of his days in the British Royal Air Force and as one of the most celebrated British POWs of World War II. Tunstall was an infamous tormentor of his German captors. Dubbed the “cooler king” on account of his long spells in solitary, he once dropped a water “bomb” directly in the lap of a high-ranking German officer. He also devised an ingenious method for smuggling coded messages back to London. But above all he was a highly skilled pilot, loyal friend, and trusted colleague. Without false pride or bitterness, Tunstall recounts the hijinks of training to be a pilot, terrifying bombing raids, and elaborate escape attempts at once hilarious and deadly serious—all part of a poignant and human war story superbly told by a natural raconteur. The Last Escaper is a captivating final testament by the “last man standing” from the Greatest Generation. “Right up there with Stalag 17 and The Great Escape.” —New York Post “The historical account of behind-the-scenes drama makes this a valuable addition to the period literature.” —Publishers Weekly “The stark reality of war is ever present in his detailed accounting of life as a prisoner of war. We are taken through the highs and lows of not only each failed attempt but the psychological effects of imprisonment on himself, others in the camps and ultimately how it changed each person involved.” —Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

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294

Publisher

ABRAMS

Published Date

ISBN 10

1468311557

ISBN 13

9781468311556

VCs of the First World War: The Air VCs

By: Peter G. Cooksley,Peter F. Batchelor

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VCs of the First World War: The Air VCs

By: Peter G. Cooksley,Peter F. Batchelor

Of more than 600 Victoria Crosses awarded to British and Empire servicemen during the First World War, nineteen were awarded to airmen of the newly formed Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service. Of these, four were posthumous awards and all but one of the total were to officers. Some of these valorous airmen were from humble backgrounds and with limited education; others were collegiate men from wealthy families. But in the words of one senior officer they all had in common 'the guts of a lion'. Each VS winner's act of bravery is recorded here in intricate detail, along with their backgrounds and their lives after the war.

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326

Publisher

The History Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0752493922

ISBN 13

9780752493923

Wings Across Canada

An Illustrated History of Canadian Aviation

By: Peter Pigott

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Wings Across Canada

An Illustrated History of Canadian Aviation

By: Peter Pigott

From the eccentric Fairey Battle to the lethal-looking CF-18, from modern airliners that have no defects (and no character) to the classic North Star (which had both), here is the ultimate line-up of the aircraft that have served Canadians in the last century. With over one hundred photographs of fifty historic planes, Wings Across Canada is a retrospective of Canada’s aeronautical technology. This book does not compare the planes, nor claim that all are "classics" in the traditional sense of the word. Instead, it is a celebration of a love affair with aircraft that all served a purpose in their own time.

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190

Publisher

Dundurn

Published Date

ISBN 10

1459712838

ISBN 13

9781459712836

The Four Geniuses of the Battle of Britain

Watson-Watt, Henry Royce, Sydney Camm & RJ Mitchell

By: David Coles,Peter Sherrard

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The Four Geniuses of the Battle of Britain

Watson-Watt, Henry Royce, Sydney Camm & RJ Mitchell

By: David Coles,Peter Sherrard

Had it not been for the vital contributions of the four men and their inventions described in this book the Battle of Britain could not have been won by the Royal Air Force. Each of these brilliant men contributed enormously to the aircraft and equipment upon which the gallant RAF fighter pilots depended to take on and defeat the hitherto overpowering Luftwaffe during Hitlers European onslaught. Watson Watt was the moving force behind Britains vital early warning radar network that allowed Allied fighter aircraft to intercept the incoming German bomber raids. Henry Royce was the driving force throughout the development of the Merlin engine that powered both the Hurricane and Spitfire.Sydney Camm persevered with the design of the Hawker Hurricane which was to destroy more Luftwaffe bombers in the Battle than any other type. It was amazingly resilient and provided an extremely stable gun platform. Never living long enough to see the success of his beautiful Spitfire, RJ Mitchell was the designer of the only British aircraft that could outperform the Nazi Bf 109s fighters and which allowed the attacking Hurricanes a little more safety while doing their job below. This is the story of those men behind the scene of the greatest air battle in history.

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Page Count

273

Publisher

Casemate Publishers

Published Date

ISBN 10

1783033843

ISBN 13

9781783033843

Combat Biplanes of World War II

By: Peter C. Smith

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Combat Biplanes of World War II

By: Peter C. Smith

The era of the combat biplane is usually thought to have been between 1914 and 1938. By the outbreak of World War II, most of the advanced air forces of the world had moved on to monoplane aircraft for their front-line battle forces, both in bomber and fighter capacities. Yet despite this, many biplanes did still survive, both in front-line service and in numerous subsidiary roles, and not just as training machines but as fully operational warplanes. Thus in 1939 the majority of major European powers still retained some, albeit few, biplane aircraft. Sadly, and as an indictment of failed British Government defence policies, it was Great Britain who still had the bulk of such obsolescent combat aircraft, machines like the Gladiator, Swordfish, Walrus, Vildebeeste and Audax for example, while the inferior Albacore, meant to replace the Swordfish, was still yet to enter service!Germany had relegated most of her biplane designs to secondary roles, but they still managed to conduct missions in which biplanes like the He.50, He.51 and Hs.120 excelled. Both France and Italy had biplanes in active service, Mussolini's Regia Aeronautica attaching great importance to the type as a fighter aircraft as late as 1941, while the Soviet Union also retained some machines like the Po-2 in front-line service right through the war and beyond. In addition, a whole range of smaller nations utilised biplanes built for larger combatants in their own air forces. By the time Japan and the United States entered the war two years later, they had mainly rid themselves of biplanes but, even here, a few specialised types lingered on. This book describes a selection of these gallant old warriors of all nations. They represent the author's own personal selection from a surprisingly large range of aircraft that, despite all predictions, fought hard and well in World War II.

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Page Count

401

Publisher

Casemate Publishers

Published Date

ISBN 10

1473874254

ISBN 13

9781473874251

To Scale the Skies

The Story of Group Captain J.C. 'Johnny' Wells DFC and BAR

By: Peter Cornwell

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To Scale the Skies

The Story of Group Captain J.C. 'Johnny' Wells DFC and BAR

By: Peter Cornwell

With humble beginnings as an RAF apprentice, Johnny Wells progressed to pilot and rose to the higher echelons of command at the Air Ministry. From idyllic pre-war training, he would fly bombers against rebels over Iraq, combat Fw190s over England in the newly introduced and equally dangerous Typhoon; he would undertake hazardous low-level anti-shipping strikes in the English Channel, as well as train-busting sorties over occupied territory at night and close-support ground-attack operations across northern Europe following D-Day. Indeed, Wells ended the Second World War as one of the most successful and highly decorated Typhoon Wing Leaders in the Tactical Air Force. This well-researched account of one man's rise through the ranks of the Air Ministry is finely illustrated with contemporary images and is an excellent testimony of what was required of air pilots during the Second World War. Wells' story is both an inspiration and a gripping account of one man's journey through a service career spanning more than three turbulent decades.

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218

Publisher

The History Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0752466925

ISBN 13

9780752466927

Flying to the Limit

Testing WW II Single-engined Fighters

By: Peter Caygill

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Flying to the Limit

Testing WW II Single-engined Fighters

By: Peter Caygill

Describes the design and testing of British fighter planes during World War II.

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257

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Casemate Publishers

Published Date

ISBN 10

184415226X

ISBN 13

9781844152261

Heroes and Landmarks of British Aviation

From Airships to the Jet Age

By: Richard Edwards,Peter J. Edwards

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Heroes and Landmarks of British Aviation

From Airships to the Jet Age

By: Richard Edwards,Peter J. Edwards

Heroes and Landmarks of British Aviation tells the dramatic story of a world leading aviation industry, from the sweat and grease of the workshop, to the board rooms and government nationalisations that ultimately fashioned its destiny.The heroes are Britains most innovative aviation pioneers and their aircraft, the men and women who persevered to be the first into the air, to fly the fastest, the highest and the furthest. This broad and highly accessible books ranges from the first man to fly across the English Channel from England to France to the development of the Spitfire and from the disastrous R101 airship to the development of the jet engine and ultimately the worlds first supersonic airliner.Each chapter looks at a different aviation pioneer and the flying machines that they designed, their engineering landmarks, their triumphs in the air and on occasion their disasters too. The book explores the great air races that were won and lost, the government contracts and political short-sightedness that cut short the development of leading aircraft designs and many of the dramatic air raids and sea battles from the First World War to the Falklands and the Middle East.Many of the industrys most prominent names are profiled, including Ernest Willows, the Short brothers, Geoffrey de Havilland, Vincent Richmond, George White, Thomas Sopwith, Harry Hawker, RJ Mitchell, Herbert Smith, Charles Rolls, Henry Royce, Reginald Pierson, Alliott Verdon-Roe, Frederick Handley Page, Robert Watson-Watt, Robert Blackburn and Frank Whittle.Behind the personal stories are the histories of the aircraft companies that these pioneers created, from those that went bankrupt to those that lasted the test of time and have become indivisible from British aviation folklore, such names as Sopwith, Handley Page, Avro, Supermarine, Blackburn, Bristol, Fairey and Rolls-Royce. The book covers the mergers and acquisitions that led to the creation of two major aircraft manufacturers, Hawker Siddeley Group and the British Aircraft Corporation, and how barely two decades later, before the century was out, they were nationalised to form British Aerospace.

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Page Count

498

Publisher

Casemate Publishers

Published Date

ISBN 10

1783034947

ISBN 13

9781783034949

Transforming the Skies

Pilots, Planes and Politics in British Aviation 1919-1940

By: Peter Reese

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Transforming the Skies

Pilots, Planes and Politics in British Aviation 1919-1940

By: Peter Reese

Following the Armistice of 1918, the British Air Industry and the newly founded RAF held a low place in national priorities. The RAF was rapidly run down, with the infant airlines being given the least possible help, and this neglect continued during the 1920s. The RAF's role was questioned and civilian air travel remained a dream for most and the province of the well-heeled few. But the breakdown of the Geneva Disarmament Talks led to renewed interest in the National Air Force, and the rise of the European dictators brought calls for rapid modernisation and interceptor aircraft, together with the development of further European civilian air routes. Here, Peter Reese charts the dramatic changes that swept aviation across the dynamic interwar period, revealing the transformative last-minute preparations for defence in a world where much depended on the contributions of some outstanding individuals.

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Page Count

421

Publisher

The History Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0750987278

ISBN 13

9780750987271

Cross Country

English Buildings and Landscape From Countryside to Coast

By: Peter Ashley

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Cross Country

English Buildings and Landscape From Countryside to Coast

By: Peter Ashley

In Cross Country photographer and author Peter Ashley unleashes his passion for Blighty. He takes us on an enlightening jaunt that encompasses many of England’s most loved regions. His love of buildings and landscape extends far beyond architecture in picturesque surroundings. By combining personal reminiscence and an ear for intriguing anecdote, he shows us with wit, and sometimes irreverent comment, just how richly varied the fabric of England is: abandoned Cornish tin mines above tide-washed caves; Norfolk boat sheds leaning on salt marches; Romney Marsh shepherd’s houses disappearing behind roadside willows; and hedges looked over in Wiltshire. Local details are found in both Essex estuaries and Cumbrian sand dunes; and long abandoned railway lines are once again pressed into service to take us around his beloved High Leicestershire. Ashley never misses the curious and neglected – be it a sheep wash in the Cotswolds or a disused petrol pump in Herefordshire. He travels deep into t eh countryside he cares about. His wry observations allow us to rediscover and delight in what many of us might previously have deemed familiar territory.

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Page Count

241

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons

Published Date

ISBN 10

1119971055

ISBN 13

9781119971054

Lonely Planet Australia

By: Lonely Planet,Brett Atkinson,Kate Armstrong,Carolyn Bain,Cristian Bonetto,Peter Dragicevich,Anthony Ham,Paul Harding,Trent Holden,Virginia Maxwell

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Lonely Planet Australia

By: Lonely Planet,Brett Atkinson,Kate Armstrong,Carolyn Bain,Cristian Bonetto,Peter Dragicevich,Anthony Ham,Paul Harding,Trent Holden,Virginia Maxwell

Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet Australia is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Cruise magnificent Sydney Harbour, grab a coffee in a Melbourne laneway or head off on an outback adventure; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Australia and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet Australia Travel Guide: Colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, politics, Aboriginal Australia, environment, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, wine, sports, outdoor activities. Covers Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Perth, Darwin, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Western Australia, the outback and more eBook Features: (Best viewed on tablet devices and smartphones) Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviews Add notes to personalise your guidebook experience Seamlessly flip between pages Bookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flash Embedded links to recommendations' websites Zoom-in maps and images Inbuilt dictionary for quick referencing The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet Australia, our most comprehensive guide to Australia, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled. About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world’s number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveler since 1973. Over the past four decades, we’ve printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travelers. You’ll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, video, 14 languages, nine international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more. Important Notice: The digital edition of this book may not contain all of the images found in the physical edition.

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1941

Publisher

Lonely Planet

Published Date

ISBN 10

1787011518

ISBN 13

9781787011519

Cracking Baseball's Cold Cases

Filling in the Facts About 17 Mystery Major Leaguers

By: Peter Morris

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Cracking Baseball's Cold Cases

Filling in the Facts About 17 Mystery Major Leaguers

By: Peter Morris

This book is the result of one man's twenty-year quest to solve some of baseball's most enduring mysteries--the "cold cases" of major leaguers about whom virtually nothing is known. (In many instances, the various baseball encyclopedias list only their names and one other word: "deceased.") Some of these mysterious players had negligible professional careers and their time on a major league diamond was more the result of good fortune than anything else; others were stars in their day and then vanished. The Biographical Committee of the Society for American Baseball Research is committed to finding them and award-winning researcher Peter Morris tells the story of some of the most remarkable of the searches that resulted, many of which featured twists so surprising no mystery writer could have invented them.

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Page Count

209

Publisher

McFarland

Published Date

ISBN 10

0786475455

ISBN 13

9780786475452

The Magic of a Name: The Rolls-Royce Story, Part 3

A Family of Engines

By: Peter Pugh

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The Magic of a Name: The Rolls-Royce Story, Part 3

A Family of Engines

By: Peter Pugh

The Magic of a Name tells the story of the first 40 years of Britain's most prestigious manufacturer - Rolls-Royce. Beginning with the historic meeting in 1904 of Henry Royce and the Honourable C.S. Rolls, and the birth in 1906 of the legendary Silver Ghost, Peter Pugh tells a story of genius, skill, hard work and dedication which gave the world cars and aero engines unrivalled in their excellence. In 1915, 100 years ago, the pair produced their first aero engine, the Eagle which along with the Hawk, Falcon and Condor proved themselves in battle in the First World War. In the Second the totemic Merlin was installed in the Spitfire and built in a race against time in 1940 to help win the Battle of Britain. With unrivalled access to the company's archives, Peter Pugh's history is a unique portrait of both an iconic name and of British industry at its best.

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Page Count

549

Publisher

Icon Books Ltd

Published Date

ISBN 10

1848319983

ISBN 13

9781848319981

Laugh or Fly

The Air War on the Western Front 1914 – 1918

By: Peter Hart,Gary Bain

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Laugh or Fly

The Air War on the Western Front 1914 – 1918

By: Peter Hart,Gary Bain

A rip-roaring gallop through the lives of the Royal Flying Corps air crew in the Great War. They lived their lives amidst a strange dichotomy as they moved from safety to dire danger, and back again in a matter of hours. This created a dreadful strain that could soon shred anyone’s mental health. On the ground they were cloistered in simple but adequate accommodation several miles behind the lines. Farmhouses, barns and huts were used, but they were all far better than the squalor faced by the infantry scurrying in their muddy trenches. Flying personnel were blessed with beds and blankets. They could set up a decent mess and socialise to their heart’s content. A smorgasbord of entertainments, with perhaps an old out of tune piano, access to drink and occasional vigorous games of mess rugby. There were visits to local towns which offered tantalizing glimpses – and sometimes more - of the female of the species. A glimpse was probably never enough for most of these very young men. What more could a chap want? But when they were flying over the front it was no laughing matter. Death lurked in the skies, zooming in its ‘winged chariots’ out of the sun, or bursting from the clouds. A moment’s loss of concentration, or tactical blunder, could consign them to being shot down and falling thousands of feet until the crunching impact of terra firma brought a terrible relief. But better that than a punctured petrol tank, the first flickers of flame, then the roaring inferno and the agonies of incineration. There was little or nothing for them to laugh about in the air. But when back on the ground they tried to put aside their fears.

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282

Publisher

Pen and Sword Military

Published Date

ISBN 10

1399050184

ISBN 13

9781399050180

The RAF in 100 Objects

By: Peter Jacobs

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The RAF in 100 Objects

By: Peter Jacobs

It was in the closing year of the First World War, on 1 April 1918, that the Royal Air Force was born from the amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service. Since then, the RAF has helped lead the world in the development of aviation and air warfare. From the fighters and bombers of the Second World War, through the early jet age and into modern remotely piloted air systems, the last hundred years' development has been astronomical, and the human story no less impressive. Here Peter Jacobs gathers the most poignant objects of the RAF's proud history and displays them together, in full splendid colour, for the first time. Aircraft, memorials, uniforms, equipment, and some items you would never expect – it's all here, ready to be explored.

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Page Count

460

Publisher

The History Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0750986239

ISBN 13

9780750986236

The Battle Of France

Then And Now

By: Peter Cornwell

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The Battle Of France

Then And Now

By: Peter Cornwell

Peter Cornwell tells the story of the greatest air battle of the Second World War when six nations were locked in combat over north-western Europe for a traumatic six weeks in 1940. He describes the day-to-day events as the battle unfolds, and details the losses suffered by all six nations involved: Britain, France, Holland, Belgium, Germany and, rather belatedly, Italy. As far as RAF fighter squadrons in France were concerned, it was an all-Hurricane show, yet it was the Blenheim and Battle crews who suffered the brunt of the casualties. Every aircraft lost or damaged through enemy action while operating in France is listed together with the fate of the crews. The RAF lost more than a thousand aircraft of all types over the Western Front during the six-week battle, the French Air Force 1,400, but Luftwaffe losses were even higher at over 1,800 aircraft.

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592

Publisher

After the Battle

Published Date

ISBN 10

1399076892

ISBN 13

9781399076890

No Babylon

A Hong Kong Scrapbook

By: Peter Moss

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No Babylon

A Hong Kong Scrapbook

By: Peter Moss

Having witnessed Britain's retreat from India in 1947, and Malaya in 1957, Peter Moss traveled on through the lengthening shadows of a waning Empire, seeking the last remnants of a once flourishing panoply of imperial pomp and circumstance. He arrived in Hong Kong to find this fabled territory less a British colony than a triumph of collective enterprise; no mythic Babylon but a vibrant and compelling reality. His Hong Kong career spanned four decades, from the spillover of China's cultural revolution to the return of its prodigal son at midnight on June 30th 1997. In his take on events leading up to that historical watershed he has drawn on Chinese sources to present a wider perspective, and has not flinched from challenging popular perceptions. He saw Chris Patten, Hong Kong's last governor, as a knight in shining armour, riding in at the eleventh hour to slay the dragon. "I felt there was a distinct danger of him accidentally killing the damsel in distress." Many have loved and admired Hong Kong but few have grasped its intricacies. That an enclave so small should have become so powerful, and left such a mark on the world, is a mystery that No Babylon seeks to probe and dispel. "Had he discovered Hong Kong first, Karl Marx might never have written Das Kapital, for this hubble-bubble of experimental capitalist alchemy contradicted so many of his theories".

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Page Count

334

Publisher

iUniverse

Published Date

ISBN 10

0595380875

ISBN 13

9780595380879

In Turbulent Skies

British Aviation Successes and Setbacks - 1945-1975

By: Peter Reese

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In Turbulent Skies

British Aviation Successes and Setbacks - 1945-1975

By: Peter Reese

In 1945 confidence in British aviation was sky-high. Yet decades later, the industry had not lived up to its potential. What happened? The years that followed the war saw the Brabazon Committee issue flawed proposals for civil aviation planning. Enforced cancellations restricted the advancement of military aircraft, compounded later on by Defence Minister Duncan Sandys abandoning aircraft to fixate solely on missiles. Commercially, Britain's small and neglected domestic market hindered the development of civilian airliners. In the production of notorious aircraft, the inauspicious Comet came from de Havilland's attempts to gain an edge over its American competitors. The iconic Harrier jump jet and an indigenous crop of helicopters were squandered, while unrealistic performance requirements brought about the cancellation of TSR2. Peter Reese explores how repeated financial crises, a lack of rigour and fatal self-satisfaction led British aviation to miss vital opportunities across this turbulent period in Britain's skies.

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390

Publisher

The History Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0750994444

ISBN 13

9780750994446

Tea in Australia

A History, 1788-2000

By: Peter D. Griggs

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Tea in Australia

A History, 1788-2000

By: Peter D. Griggs

Before 1950, Australians were the world’s highest consumers of tea per capita. This book tells the story of how tea emerged as the national beverage in the Australian colonies during the nineteenth century, and explores why Australians consumed so much of the beverage for so long. Special attention is devoted to analysing the evolution of the Australian tea distribution network, especially the marketing strategies used by the tea traders to promote their products. Other topics examined here include the development of tea rituals such as afternoon tea and high tea and their role in Australian society, the local manufacture of teawares, the establishment of tea rooms and the emergence of a tea growing industry in Australia after 1960. The first comprehensive account of the history of tea in Australia, this book will be of particular interest to individuals interested in Australian history, economic and social history, and food history.

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746

Publisher

Cambridge Scholars Publishing

Published Date

ISBN 10

1527548821

ISBN 13

9781527548824

The Royal Entomological Society Book of British Insects

By: Peter C. Barnard

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The Royal Entomological Society Book of British Insects

By: Peter C. Barnard

The Royal Entomological Society (RES) and Wiley-Blackwell are proud to present this landmark publication, celebrating the wonderful diversity of the insects of the British Isles, and the work of the RES (founded 1833). This book is the only modern systematic account of all 558 families of British insects, covering not just the large and familiar groups that are included in popular books, but even the smallest and least known. It is beautifully illustrated throughout in full colour with photographs by experienced wildlife photographers to show the range of diversity, both morphological and behavioural, among the 24,000 species. All of the 6,000 genera of British insects are listed and indexed, along with all the family names and higher groups. There is a summary of the classification, biology and economic importance of each family together with further references for detailed identification. All species currently subject to legal protection in the United Kingdom are also listed. The Royal Entomological Society is one of the oldest and most prestigious of its kind in the world. It is the leading organisation for professional entomologists and its main aim has always been the promotion of knowledge about insects. The RES began its famous Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects in 1949, and new works in that series continue to be published. The Royal Entomological Society Book of British Insects has been produced to demonstrate the on-going commitment of the RES to educate and encourage each generation to study these fascinating creatures. This is a key reference work for serious students of entomology and amateur entomologists, as well as for professionals who need a comprehensive source of information about the insect groups of the British Isles they may be less familiar with.

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404

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons

Published Date

ISBN 10

1444332562

ISBN 13

9781444332568

Rolls-Royce: The Magic of a Name

The First Forty Years of Britain's Most Prestigious Company, 1904-1944

By: Peter Pugh

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Rolls-Royce: The Magic of a Name

The First Forty Years of Britain's Most Prestigious Company, 1904-1944

By: Peter Pugh

The Magic of a Name tells the story of the first forty years of Britain's most prestigious manufacturer – Rolls-Royce. Beginning with the historic meeting in 1904 of Henry Royce and C.S. Rolls, and the birth in 1906 of the legendary Silver Ghost, Peter Pugh tells a story of genius, skill and dedication that gave the world cars and aeroengines unrivalled in their excellence. In 1915, 100 years ago, Royce produced the first of many aero engines, the Eagle, which proved itself in battle in the First World War. Twenty-five years later, the totemic Merlin was installed in the Spitfire and built in a race against time to help win the Battle of Britain. With unrivalled access to the company's archives, this is a unique portrait of both an iconic name and of British industry at its best.

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688

Publisher

Icon Books Ltd

Published Date

ISBN 10

1848319258

ISBN 13

9781848319257

Airfields of the D-Day Invasion Air Force

2nd Tactical Air Force in South-East England in WWII

By: Peter Jacobs

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Airfields of the D-Day Invasion Air Force

2nd Tactical Air Force in South-East England in WWII

By: Peter Jacobs

As part of the Aviation Heritage Trail series, the airfields and interest in this book are concentrated in a particular area - in this case Kent, Surrey, East Sussex, Essex and Greater London. The South east of England emerged from six years of war with a rich diversity of RAF bomber and fighter airfields used by the 2nd Tactical Air Force, both before and after the D-Day landings. Much of this proud legacy is now threatening to disappear. However, the tourist can combine visits to an abundance of disused and active airfields, country houses and museums with countless attractions, imaginative locations and broadland and coastal hideaways that have no equal. The airfields and other places of interest include Northolt, Manston, Sculthorp, Dunsfold, Swanton Morley, Hunsdon, Gravesend, Detling, Biggin Hill, Kenley, Redhill, Gatwick, Heston, Hornchurch, Chailey, Coolham, Horne, West Malling and Newchurch. This book looks at the history and personalities associated with each base, what remains today and explores the favourite local wartime haunts where aircrew and ground crew would have sought well-deserved entertainment and relaxation. Other museums and places that are relevant will also be described and general directions on how to get them included.

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224

Publisher

Pen and Sword

Published Date

ISBN 10

1844159000

ISBN 13

9781844159000

An Avid's Guide to Sixties Songwriters

By: Peter Dunbavan

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An Avid's Guide to Sixties Songwriters

By: Peter Dunbavan

An essential reference book for sixties music lovers, this encyclopedic overview includes detailed chart statistics and biographical information for eighty songwriters and covers around two thousand songs, some of which are among the greatest ever written.

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509

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AuthorHouse

Published Date

ISBN 10

1524633453

ISBN 13

9781524633455

RSPB Handbook of Garden Wildlife

Second Edition

By: Peter Holden,Geoffrey Abbott

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RSPB Handbook of Garden Wildlife

Second Edition

By: Peter Holden,Geoffrey Abbott

The updated edition of the popular RSPB Handbook of Garden Wildlife. This friendly handbook is full of practical advice on attracting wildlife to your garden, and encouraging creatures to stick around, as well as expert tips on green gardening, seasonal planting and garden predators. Colour photographs illustrate hundreds of mammals, birds, insects, invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians, flowers, trees, shrubs and fungi, while the comprehensive text explains everything you need to cultivate a haven for nature. The new edition includes additional species as well as fully updated text describing the diverse wildlife that can be found in British gardens. Finally, a DIY chapter is packed with projects for your garden, from building bat boxes to digging your own pond.

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582

Publisher

Bloomsbury Publishing

Published Date

ISBN 10

1472930851

ISBN 13

9781472930859

Critique of Entrepreneurship

People and Policy

By: Peter Armstrong

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Critique of Entrepreneurship

People and Policy

By: Peter Armstrong

The sponsorship of the entrepreneur as an agent of economic growth is now at the centre of a vast promotional industry, involving politicians, government departments and higher education. This book examines the origins of this phenomenon and subjects its mythologies, hero-figures and policies to an empirically based critical examination.

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266

Publisher

Springer

Published Date

ISBN 10

0230554954

ISBN 13

9780230554955

The Rough Guide to Devon & Cornwall

By: Robert Andrews,Peter Hack,Kate Hughes,Bea Uhart

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The Rough Guide to Devon & Cornwall

By: Robert Andrews,Peter Hack,Kate Hughes,Bea Uhart

The Rough Guide to Devon and Cornwall is the ultimate insider''s handbook to one of the most beautiful and popular regions of the UK. In this new edition, there is a 24-page full-colour introduction to the author''s pick of the attractions and activities, from the cliff-top Minack theatre to a helicopter ride to the Isles of Scilly. The guide provides expert coverage of all the major sights, from the wild expanses of Dartmoor to the Eden project and critical reviews of the best restaurants, pubs and accommodation in every area. There is also practical advice for the host of outdoor activities available, from surfing to rambling and horse riding to diving.

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414

Publisher

Rough Guides

Published Date

ISBN 10

184353312X

ISBN 13

9781843533122

Flying Canucks II

Pioneers of Canadian Aviation

By: Peter Pigott

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Flying Canucks II

Pioneers of Canadian Aviation

By: Peter Pigott

Among the many technological advances of this century that have shrunk our country, few have had as great an impact as aviation. Technologies evolve and national priorities change, but the qualities necessary to design aircraft, fly them in war and peace, and manage airlines remain constant. In this, his second book about pioneers of Canadian aviation, Peter Pigott brings a richness and understanding of the individuals themselves to the reader. Flying Canucks II takes us into Air Canada’s boardroom with Claude I. Taylor, to the Avro Arrow design office with Jim Floyd, inside the incredible career of Aviation Hall of Fame pilot Herb Seagram, on C.D. Howe’s historic dawn-to-dusk flight, and with Len Birchall in a Stranraer seaplane before he became, in Churchill’s phrase, “The Saviour of Ceylon.” It includes the story of how Scottish immigrant J.A. Wilson engineered a chain of airports across the country, how bush pilot Bob Randall explored the polar regions, and the ordeal of Erroll Boyd, the first Canadian to fly the Atlantic. The lives of “Buck” McNair and “Bus” Davey, half a century after the Second World War, are placed in the perspective of the entire national experience in those years. Whenever possible, Mr. Pigott has interviewed the players themselves, and drawing on his experience and contacts within the aviation community, has created a multi-faceted study of the business, politics, and technology that influenced the ten lives explored in depth in this book. C.D. Howe, wartime Canada’s absolute government czar used to say that running the country’s airline was all he really wanted to do. With a rich aviation heritage such as this, Flying Canucks II depicts the elements and the enemy at their worst and the pioneers of Canadian aviation at their best.

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143

Publisher

Dundurn

Published Date

ISBN 10

1459717759

ISBN 13

9781459717756

AMTIL the Source

The Australian Advanced Manufacturing Yearbook

By: Peter Lambeck

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AMTIL the Source

The Australian Advanced Manufacturing Yearbook

By: Peter Lambeck

Journal dates: 2008-2009 Annual, 2008-

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300

Publisher

AMTIL

Published Date

ISBN 10

0646510991

ISBN 13

9780646510996

Chemorheology of Polymers

From Fundamental Principles to Reactive Processing

By: Peter J. Halley,Graeme A. George

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Chemorheology of Polymers

From Fundamental Principles to Reactive Processing

By: Peter J. Halley,Graeme A. George

Understanding the dynamics of reactive polymer processes allows scientists to create new, high-value, high-performance polymers. This book is an indispensable resource for researchers and practitioners working in this area. It includes coverage of thermoplastics, thermoset and reactive polymers, together with practical industrial processes and modern chemorheological models and tools.

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445

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0521807190

ISBN 13

9780521807197

Faster Than The Sun

The Compelling Story of a Record-Breaking Test Pilot and WWII Navy Flyer

By: Peter Twiss

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Faster Than The Sun

The Compelling Story of a Record-Breaking Test Pilot and WWII Navy Flyer

By: Peter Twiss

The autobiography of the Fairey Aviation test pilot and Naval fighter pilot who broke the World Air Speed Record in 1956. This autobiography of Peter Twiss, the man who flew 1000mph for the first time in history, tells the story of the record-breaking Fairey Delta. It describes the vast organization necessary for the record bid, the political lobbying, and the almost intolerable tension when the flights failed. Faster Than the Sun is also a compelling account of Twiss’s wartime experiences as a Fleet Air Arm pilot who saw action in Fulmars over the convoys to Malta, in Seafires during the Operation Torch landings in Africa, and as a night fighter flying Mosquitoes. It is an epic account of daring, determination, and dedication—straight from the cockpit.

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234

Publisher

Casemate Publishers

Published Date

ISBN 10

1909166804

ISBN 13

9781909166806

Book's by Peter Hawker

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