This WWII history shares the personal stories of frontline airmen from all sides of the conflict gathered through original interviews. Aviation historian Steve Bond has spent years interviewing veterans of World War II. He recorded the stories of former airmen and crewmembers who shared the same pieces of sky at the same time. The project brought together British and German, German and Russian, British and Italian, American and German—sometimes literally. In Heroes All, Bond presents the stories of these veterans—some of whom are household names—with annotations and overviews providing historical context. This is not a book about the rights and wrongs of war, nor the strategies of the military commanders. It is about the experiences and feelings of those on the front line. This volume includes stories and recollections from veterans of the Air Transport Auxiliary, British Army, Fleet Air Arm, Italian air force, Luftwaffe, Royal Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force and Navy, Soviet air force, US Army, US Army Air Force, US Navy, and other groupings.
This WWII Royal Air Force history reveals the activities of special ops squadrons and the electronic warfare and countermeasures they deployed. Established within the Royal Air Force Bomber Command, No. 100 Group was dedicated to the complex business of electronic warfare. Though its role was vital, it remains one of the least understood aspects of RAF operations during the Second World War. In this meticulously researched volume, aviation historian Steve Bond and Squadron Leader Richard Forder RAF (Ret’d) shed important light on the work of No. 100 Group by analyzing one of its Bomber Support Squadrons, No. 223. Equipped with former USAAF Liberators, No. 223 Squadron operated from August of 1944 to the end of the European war. Its primary role was protecting Bomber Command Main Force ops through the use of experimental radio and radar countermeasures against German defenses. With unique access to original documents and firsthand accounts from both sides of the conflict, Forder and Bond present a detailed and comprehensive picture of the secret activities of these special operatives and their effect on German defenses.
This Royal Air Force history examines a revolutionary Cold War era aircraft with firsthand accounts from veterans who flew them all over the world. The Gloster Javelin, an all-weather interceptor aircraft, was the UK’s first line of air defense in the 1950s and 1960s, both at home and in Royal Air Force Germany. With an unorthodox aerodynamic design, the Javelin had major production issues early on—including a tendency for engines to self-destruct under certain conditions. But the revolutionary aircraft still receives much affection from its former crew. Some of their most thrilling, fascinating and colorful stories are collected here in terrific detail. Starting from the first deliveries of Javelins in 1956 until the final withdrawal from RAF squadron use in 1968, Javelin Boys describes adventures all over the world—from Cyprus to Singapore during the Indonesian Confrontation and Zambia during the Rhodesian declaration of UDI. Alongside their anecdotes is a detailed history of this unusual aircraft, accompanied by photography never seen before in print.
Helicopters have been going to sea with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm for over 70 years. Initially used for search and rescue (SAR) duties from aircraft carriers, the rapid development of both the helicopters and service experience resulted in them taking on the vital anti-submarine (and later anti-ship) attack roles. The 1956 Suez campaign saw the first operational use of Whirlwind helicopters for the insertion of troops by air into a battle zone, a capability which was expanded with more helicopters such as the Wessex, Sea King and today’s Merlin. Through their vital role in the 1960s Indonesian Confrontation, the Commando helicopter force became universally referred to as the ‘Junglies’. It is often said that if either of the 1982 Task Force aircraft carriers had been lost the Falklands War could not have been won. The same would surely have been true without helicopters. Their vital tasks, including inserting Special Forces behind enemy lines, protecting the Task Force from Exocet missile attack and recovering wounded troops whilst under enemy fire, are rightly hailed as being instrumental. At home, the essential SAR effort by both the Royal Navy and their RAF counterparts has resulted in incredible stories of saving lives against the odds. Royal Navy destroyers and frigates have also long since benefitted from having their own helicopter Flight aboard. Frequently operating in extremes of weather, flying a Wasp, Lynx or today’s Wildcat from and back to a heaving deck is every bit as risky as flying fixed-wing aircraft off the carriers of old. Once dismissed as a novelty, the helicopter has more than proved itself. Indeed, for ten years until the arrival of the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, the Fleet Air Arm’s operational force was entirely rotary-wing. Today’s Merlins and Wildcats, with their dedicated aircrew, maintenance and support staff continue to demonstrate just how vital an asset the helicopter has become. Here are the words of the men and women themselves, skillfully brought to life by Steve Bond and profusely illustrated in color and b/w.
Steve Bond is back with the final volume in this popular series. Unlike his previous three tomes, with their focus on aircraft and rotorcraft, this book is uniquely dedicated to the personnel of the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) themselves. Each chapter will concentrate on the memories of contributors who served in a range of roles, including those below the flight deck. Accounts will focus on the everyday life upon an aircraft carrier as well as the extraordinary challenges faced during operations. There is a fascinating chapter covering exchange services with the RAF and other navies including the French and US; and also insight into the Indian navy’s experience with the Sea Hawk and Sea Harrier. Within the previous volumes, we met some true characters and there is a chapter devoted to people’s memories of them. The closing section entitled ‘Thoughts’ sees contributors reflect on their FAA career with many deeply moving responses and discourses on the future of the service. The book is heavily illustrated throughout in color and black and white with personal photographs from the contributors, artwork and tongue-in-cheek cartoons for which the FAA is famous. Volume Four is the perfect conclusion to the ongoing post-war story of a truly astounding branch of the armed forces.
A history of the Royal Navy’s FAA since 1945, featuring a survey of the aircraft flown, the conflicts fought, and the daily life of those in service. The RAF’s continuing role in the projection of air power in the defence of the United Kingdom and its overseas interests since the end of the Second World War is well known. However, the same cannot always be said about the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm (FAA), in part due to the ten-year gap between the retirement of the Harrier and the arrival of the F-35B and the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers. Flying high performance aircraft off a carrier demands not only a high level of skill, but also a considerable amount of courage and determination, not least to land back on a very small piece of real estate bobbing about in a rough sea, often at night, with no possibility of diversion. The nature of these operations has meant that the accident rate and aircrew losses were very high—and accepted as part of the job. With the arrival of the Queen Elizabeth and the Prince of Wales, it is time to redress the balance and bring the FAA’s extraordinary story to the audience it so richly deserves through the words of those air and ground crews who have been part of it since 1945. What emerges is an amazing close-knit esprit de corps, often accompanied by a long-standing and still simmering rivalry between the RAF and the Royal Navy over who should project air power overseas. Enormous respect is shown by the aviators and ships’ senior officers for the aircraft handlers and maintainers, who work long hours in a highly dangerous environment on the flight deck. This first volume looks chronologically at every aircraft type flown in an air defence role since 1945. Involvement in conflicts including Korea, Suez, the Falklands, Bosnia and elsewhere is included, and perforce the cost in human lives, even in everyday operations, frequently emerges. Balancing this are the everyday grind, the good times, the humour, the “runs ashore” and the sense of pride in a job well done. All delivered in the words of the men themselves.
Since the end of World War 2 the primary role of the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm has been airborne power projection; the ability rapidly to respond to any trouble spot across the globe and to protect the interests of the United Kingdom and its partner nations. The principal tools in that response were the strike aircraft which took the offensive to the aggressor. Although from 2010 to 2020 fixed-wing carrier aviation was not part of the Fleet Air Arm, with the advent of the navy’s two new aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, that capability has been restored. This renewed focus has not only seen the return of flying high performance aircraft from a carrier, but also the regeneration of the necessary skills, and courage, needed to cope with the extremes of weather and the nature of air operations in a very high-risk environment. However the lessons of the past have not been forgotten, and so many of those previous experiences are related within these pages – true stories of the last 76 years from aircrew, maintainers, aircraft handlers and many other supporting staff both men and women. Following on from the success of volume one, this second volume covers every fixed-wing aircraft type flown from carriers in the strike, anti-submarine warfare and the vital airborne early warning roles; from Scimitars to Hunters, Buccaneers to Skyraiders and many more, plus an extensive fleet of land-based aircraft. As with the first volume, involvement in operations such as Suez, the Beira Patrol, the Falklands, Belize, Bosnia and elsewhere is included. Despite the intensity and all-to-frequent tragedy of operations, the esprit de corps, and the ability to find the necessary release through laughter, shine through. Here are the words of the man and women themselves, profusely illustrated in black and white and color.
“Full of interesting and entertaining accounts . . . presents an authentic picture of overseas life in the Kipper Fleet during that period.” —RAF Historical Society Journal After World War II, the Royal Air Force went through a considerable downsizing but retained an essential maritime reconnaissance role for the protection of British interests overseas. These areas were primarily the Mediterranean, Middle East, Far East to Hong Kong and all associated trade routes linking them to Britain and each other. With the arrival in service of the Shackleton from 1951, re-equipment with the new type initially concentrated on the home fleet of Coastal Command. The first overseas station to get them was Gibraltar in 1952, followed by Malta, Singapore, Aden and finally Sharjah. In addition to their daily routine of maritime patrols, the overseas squadrons took part in a number of significant operations. From dealing with rebellion in Aden, Rhodesia’s Unilateral Declaration of Independence to the Indonesian Confrontation, the Shackleton played a vital peacekeeping role. There was even a permanent detachment on the island of Gan for search-and-rescue cover for aircraft transiting to and from the Far East. The last overseas RAF Shackletons were based at Sharjah until late 1971, with a detachment from the UK remaining in Singapore until 1972. The survivors were finally withdrawn from use in November 1984. Thus, after almost thirty-three years the Shackleton’s overseas story was essentially over. Following the outstanding success of Volume One, published in 2018 and still available, Steve Bond has garnered another exceptional group of Shack operators who delight in giving the reader their tales of derring-do. Another one for the Boys’ kitbag!
To date there has been a paucity of books on this remarkable aircraft. Among its claims to fame are the following: the only RAF bomber to serve in its original role from first day of war to last, and in every theater; the first type to bomb Germany; the first type to bomb Berlin; the first type to drop the 4,000lb ‘Cookie’ bomb; and so on. A serious study is well overdue, drawing not just on official documentation but relying greatly on personal accounts and anecdotes from the veterans who were there, both air and ground crew. And here it is. Through his diligent research over many years, author Steve Bond has produced an outstanding work. His coverage of operations will include, inter alia, the early bombing campaigns, the switch to main force activity, the use of OTU aircraft and crews on operations, the protection of Atlantic and Mediterranean convoys, service with the FAA and the French and the Wellington’s continued use as bomber and transport aircraft. A worthy tribute, then, replete with original photographs throughout.
BEFORE THE MAN BECAME THE LEGEND. BEFORE THE BOY BECAME THE MAN. James Bond hits Hollywood . . . Lights. Camera. Murder. Young Bond is back - in his most action-packed, explosive adventure yet.
A money-making formula for navigating the bond market's new rules of fixed income investing The credit meltdown has completely reshaped the market for government bonds, Treasury bonds, T-bills, and high yield bond funds. Investors are flocking to corporate bonds and municipal bonds. Tax advantaged bonds have become the safe haven of choice. But you have to know where to look. Bonds Now! shows you. Bonds Now! offers rare insight into safely investing in fixed income vehicles while maintaining necessary liquidity and meeting yield targets. It doesn't waste a lot of time on the elementary basics, but instead, jumps right in and shows you how to build a safe bond portfolio designed to weather turbulent economic downturns. Discusses how to quickly analyze a bond as well as buy and sell them Examines what it takes to build an impregnable fortress around your bond portfolio Reveals how to develop a sixth sense for trouble and sell your bond position while there's still time There is only one way to guarantee you're getting the right information-get it yourself. Bonds Now! shows you how and where, but even more importantly, this reliable resource clearly explains what to do with it once you have it. This is a knockout formula with proven results. It is the only way to guarantee the bond market won't steal your money. Today's explosive financial environment demands that investors find a safe haven for their money. Using Bonds Now! as your guide, the bond market is that place. Buy this book today and start your own journey to economic recovery.
BEFORE THE MAN BECAME THE LEGEND. BEFORE THE BOY BECAME THE MAN. The explosive action continues in Steve Cole's second Young Bond adventure . . . James's Cuban holiday has become a nightmare mission to save an old friend from a villain who has perfected 1,000 ways to kill. With corrupt cops and hired assassins hot on his heels, James must travel through Havana and brave Caribbean waters to stop a countdown to mass murder. Fates will be decided with the flip of a coin. Heads or tails. Live or die. Books in the series 1: SHOOT TO KILL 2: HEADS YOU DIE
Signed limited-edition hardback with exclusive extra content BEFORE THE MAN BECAME THE LEGEND. BEFORE THE BOY BECAME THE MAN. James Bond is back again in Steve Cole's third thrilling Young Bond adventure. When James stumbles upon a horrific sight, he knows things are not what they seem. His school is determined to make him believe what happened was an accident, but James believes what he saw was murder. The significance of the events at school only come to light in the course of an adventure that takes James across Europe and puts him within range of a warmongering villain. Has James got what it takes to triumph over this man, the worst kind of enemy, who boasts a new kind of weapon? Books in the series: 1. SHOOT TO KILL 2. HEADS YOU DIE 3. STRIKE LIGHTNING
Er ist jung. Er ist ein Rebell. Er ist auf dem Weg zur Legende. In Havanna erwartet den fünfzehnjährigen James Bond statt Urlaub eine heikle Mission. Als sein Gastgeber entführt wird, findet James schnell heraus, dass nicht nur dessen Leben in Gefahr ist. Der skrupellose Entführer hat einen Plan, der die ganze Welt bedroht. Mit korrupten Cops und Auftragsmördern auf den Fersen jagt James durch Kuba, um das Schlimmste zu verhindern ... Atemberaubende Spannung, mitreißende Action – das zweite explosive Abenteuer über den coolsten Geheimagenten der Welt aus Steve Coles Young-Bond-Serie! Alle Bände der Serie: Young Bond – Der Tod stirbt nie Young Bond – Tod oder Zahl Young Bond – Schneller als der Tod Weitere Bände sind in Vorbereitung
Meteor Boys, one of the ever-popular Boys series. As Britain's first jet fighter, the Gloster Meteor has had a remarkably varied and lengthy life. But whilst many books have focused on its development and service history, the time has come to hear the personal experiences of its air and ground crews.
Il s’appelle Bond, James Bond. Il a 15 ans, et le danger lui colle déjà à la peau. Nouveau pensionnaire dans un lycée « so british », James ne tarde pas à se lier avec les élèves les plus marginaux (le nain Hugo, la brillante Bouddica et Dan, le fils du propriétaire du cinéma local). À la veille d’un voyage scolaire, ses quatre compagnons de route se retrouvent dans une salle de projection improvisée au lycée. Dan a volé la bande à un projectionniste, pensant s’offrir l’exclusivité d’un rush censuré. Mais sur l’écran de fortune, ils assistent à une véritable scène de torture. Une scène trop réaliste pour ne pas être authentique... Jugeant que la priorité va à disculper Dan plutôt qu’à démêler un fait divers sordide et les dépassant tous, James pense savoir exactement comment éviter les ennuis avec la police. Malheureusement, son plan ne se déroule pas du tout comme prévu : lorsqu’ils veulent restituer la bande, c’est le cadavre du projectionniste qui les accueille. Et les tueurs semblent être encore dans les parages. Voilà James embarqué dans une conspiration mafieuse... pour son plus grand plaisir.
On a strange, undiscovered island lost in the past, a battle of good versus evil is taking place; but what happens when you are both, and cannot tell which is which? Vox is a somewhat solitary teenager living in a peaceful mountain village, until several powers manifest themselves in him. As he struggles to come to terms with what is happening he is swept into a battle between two warring martial bodies, each with their own sinister powers. And change, in the shape of the technologically advanced outside world, is about to complicate matters... Vox must discover who he is and what he should do while fighting a war on three sides and juggling love and conflicting emotions, as he learns to master his birthright - his Fire Bond.
Through the first-hand experiences of pilots and ground crew, the author of Javelin Boys chronicles the history of the RAF’s first jet-engined aircraft. As Britain’s first jet fighter, the Gloster Meteor has had a remarkably varied and lengthy life. But while many books have focused on its development and service history, the time has come to hear the personal experiences of its air and ground crews. By interviewing over thirty veterans, author and Meteor veteran Steve Bond has written an incredibly detailed insight into this iconic aircraft, which is supported by anecdotes and accounts from those who knew it best. One example is Alan McDonald who described the Meteor as “a bit unforgiving if you got it wrong, as many pilots found out to their cost, especially on one engine, but I must admit I got to like it very much—it was a great adrenaline rush.” Alongside these entertaining anecdotes are details of the Meteor’s origins and developments. Starting with the first deliveries in 1944 working through to the present day, Bond documents the diverse role that the Meteor has had—from operations against the V1 and photo-reconnaissance missions to its use as a training machine and later as a display aircraft. The book also features photographs never seen before in print. This detailed history of this iconic and much loved jet fighter will appeal to all aviation fans. “Bond has done a great job with this book with many personal accounts of the people that were involved every day in the life of the Meteor. Highly Recommended.” —International Plastic Modelers’ Society/USA
Shake up your game - Detailed 3-D maps guide you through all of the exotic locales - Covers every platform, including PC - Comprehensive enemy section will prepare Bond for action - All Bond moves listed - Tips for all multiplayer modes
This detailed guide offers in-depth analysis of the top 50 retail franchises in North America. Each entry is four to five pages long and provides an objective investigation of the company, with the general investor in mind. Each listing discusses the franchise's historical performance, competitive advantage, franchisee satisfaction, financial stability, and other criteria.
Rasante Verfolgungsjagden, packende Action und jede Menge Bond-Coolness: Der atemraubende vierte Band der Young-Bond-Serie! Der fünfzehnjährige James Bond findet eine verschlüsselte Nachricht seines Vaters, der vor einigen Jahren unter mysteriösen Umständen ums Leben gekommen ist. Er war einer Verschwörung auf der Spur, die nun das ganze Land bedroht. Zusammen mit einem Agenten des britischen Geheimdienstes begibt sich James auf eine riskante Mission nach Moskau. Er muss die Wahrheit ans Licht bringen, bevor es zu spät ist! Ein packender Action-Krimi für alle Bond-Fans! Alle Bände der Serie: Young Bond – Der Tod stirbt nie Young Bond – Tod oder Zahl Young Bond – Schneller als der Tod Young Bond – Rot wie Rache
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