The story of the brilliant aerodynamicist, Beverley
Shenstone. As R.J. Mitchell’s chief aerodynamicist, it was
Shenstone who designed the Spitfire’s wing−the wing that
gave the aircraft its crucial advantage in the Battle of
Britain. A quiet man, Shenstone never sought glory for his
work, yet recently, he has been credited as the man who
persuaded Mitchell to adopt the modified ellipse that was
unique in its shape, combining two integrated aerofoil
sections. A Canadian by birth, Shenstone achieved high
office as President of the Royal Aeronautical Society,
technical director at BOAC, chief engineer at BEA and as a
consultant to several aircraft makers.
The fascinating story of the
recovery of a Spitfire I from the sands of Calais during the
early 1980s, and its subsequent return to the UK for rebuild
and restoration to flying condition. The full history of the
airframe from the factory to loss, the aircraft’s
operational history with 92 Squadron and the story of the
pilots who flew it during its career are also told, as is
the unfolding saga of its restoration and return to air in
September 2011. P9374 is now the earliest mark of Spitfire
flying anywhere in the world.
New in d/w - 176pp, numerous colour
& b/w illustrations
The Soviet women who fought Hitler's aces, with an
introduction by Antony Beevor. Drawing on original
interviews with surviving airwomen, the author weaves
together the stories of the female Soviet fighter pilots of
the Second World War. Her account of these women's lives
follows them from society balls to unmarked graves, from
landmark victories to the horrors of Stalingrad. Battling
not just fearsome Aces of the Luftwaffe but also patronising
prejudice from their own leaders, women such as Lilya
Litvyak and Ekaterina Budanova are brought to life by the
diaries and recollections of those who knew them.
The recollections of the remarkable German air ace,
Colonel Hans-Ulrich Rudel, the one man in the German Armed
Force to receive the highest award for courage, The Knight’s
Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oakleaves, Sword and
Diamonds. He flew over 2500 missions in WWII on the Eastern
front, lost a leg but continued flying. A new, hardcover
reprint of the 1952 original.
The Ju 87 Stuka dominated the opening campaigns of World War
II. It was a primary weapon of German Blitzkrieg tactics and
the concept of lightning warfare. Together with the panzer,
it transformed air and land warfare, with countries falling
in days and weeks, rather than after campaigns lasting
years. With more than 100 photographs and detailed
commentary, this book examines the role of German and
Italian Ju 87s in such diverse campaigns as the attack on
Yugoslavia, the battle for Crete and operations by the night
flying squadrons.
New in card cover - A4 format, 72pp, 130 b/w & 12
colour photos
