Library Additions
Sukhoi Su-57: Russian fifth-generation fighters from concept to service by Yefim Gordon and Dmitriy Komissarov, Hikoki Publications, 2021, 398pp.
Another nicely illustrated guide to Russian aircraft by Gordon and Komissarov, this time exploring Russia’s new multirole fighter. As well as looking at the development and trials history of the Su-57, it looks at the 1.44 and Su-47, as well as other project versions that did not make it to the hardware stage.
Teach for the sky: British training aircraft since 1945 by James Jackson, Hikoki, 2021, 272pp.
A guide to the design, selection and use of the training aeroplanes and helicopters designed for and used by the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy And Army Air Corp Since 1945, including the BAe Hawk, Scottish Aviation Bulldog, Percival Provost and Jet Provost, de Havilland Vampire and Vickers Varsity.
Me 163: Rocket Interceptor by Stephen Ransom and Hans-Hermann Cammann, revised edition, Classic, 2021, 406pp.
A beautifully illustrated history of the development of the Messerschmitt Me163, taking us from its inception, through to its development, production and service by the Luftwaffe during WW2.
Aeromorphosis: A memoir, the evolution of American aviation by Samuel Don Smith, Privately printed, 2021, 444pp.
The memoirs of a USAF pilot who was trained on the Northrop T-38 Talon and flew the Convair F-102 Delta Dagger, before training as a test pilot and later became a pilot for Delta, flying, among other aircraft, the Boeing MD-11. He also describes his world record flight between Tokyo and Atlanta.
Straighten up and fly right: A book of stories about flying planes and hot-air balloons by Brian Smith, Writersworld, 2021, 304pp.
The memoirs of a British European Airways steward who became a pilot with British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), including on Boeing 707s, before retiring as a Training Captain with British Airways. He also explores his interest in ballooning, including as a flight controller on the Breitling around the world flight in 1999 and building and running a Spitfire simulator.
A Long Voyage to the Moon: The Life of Naval Aviator and Apollo 17 Astronaut Ron Evans by Geoffrey Bowman, University of Nebraska Press, 2021, 377pp.
A biography of US Navy pilot and Vietnam veteran who went on to join NASA and pilot Apollo 17 and be part of the back-up crew of Apollo 1, 7, 11 and 14. Evans later went on to train for the Apollo-Soyuz mission and the early shuttle programme.
Wings over water: The story of the world’s greatest air race and the birth of the Spitfire by J Glancey, Atlantic Books, 2021, 343pp.
This book tells the story of the Schneider Trophy races together with the backdrop and legacy of each race.
Starting in 1912 these legendary seaplane races spawned remarkable aircraft, derring-do pilots and swooning public attention.
It gripped the imaginations of pioneering manufacturers and two of the world’s finest aircraft designers – Reginald Mitchell and Mario Castoldi – and the dynamism of rival engineering and politics led to the most potent military fighters of WW2 with Reginald Mitchell’s record-breaking Supermarine seaplanes morphing, one way or another, into the Spitfire.
Macchi-Castoldi MC72 Schneider Trophy racing seaplane. The MC72 broke the World Speed Record on 23 October 1934, when it achieved 440.681mph over three passes. This record remains the highest speed ever attained by a piston-engined seaplane. After this success the MC72 was never flown again. RAeS (NAL).
Transport law on passenger rights edited by Marko Pavliha, Routledge, 2021, xxiii, 262pp.
An examination of the international organisations, including the European Union, and their views on passenger rights, followed by chapters on air and other modes of transport.
Gas Turbines at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, 1926-1944 written and published by the Royal Aircraft Establishment, 1944, 1 volume.
A collection of photographs, tables and graphs, accompanied by commentaries, illustrating the steps towards jet propulsion made by the Royal Aircraft Establishment. The report appears to have been commissioned for circulation to members of the Aeronautical Research Council and others.
Air Power in the Falklands Conflict: An operational level insight into air warfare in the South Atlantic by John Shields, Air World, 2021, 370pp.
Using the centre of gravity concept, the author explores the air power aspects of the British and Argentinean campaign during the Falklands Conflict and draws lessons for today.
Eyes of the fleet over Vietnam: RF-8 Crusader combat photoreconnaissance missions by Kenneth V Jack, Casemate, 2021, 230pp.
A year-by-year guide to the aerial reconnaissance work undertaken by the Marine’s VMCJ-1 and the US Navy’s Light Photographic squadrons over Vietnam and Laos, using the Vought RF-8 Crusader. The book also contains profiles of some of those who were killed on active service.
A History of the Mediterranean Air War 1940-1945: Vol five – from the Fall of Rome to the end of the war 1944-1945 by C Shores, G Massimello, R Guest, W Bock, A Thomas and F Olynyk, Grub Street, 2021, 526pp.
A very detailed day-by-day history of the air operations that supported the last phase of the Allied campaign in Italy and in the Balkans. The book also gives the identities of aircraft lost (Allied, German and Italian) and their crew members are individually recorded.
Groundcrew Boys: True engineering stories from the Cold War front line by D Gledhill and S Jakubowski, Grub Street, 2021, 223pp.
Tales from hangars, airfields and flight decks include memories of the Phantom, the Shackleton and the Sea Harrier.