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Published by renowned aviation historian Charles E. MacKay

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Specializing in Scottish aviation heritage, World War aircraft, and military aviation history.

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Beardmore Aviation: The Story of a Scottish Industrial Giant's Aviation Activities by Charles E. MacKay
£12.91

Beardmore Aviation: The Story of a Scottish Industrial Giant's Aviation Activities

A study of aircraft production before and in World War One, including Admiralty procurement of airships. The study continues with the evolution of the aircraft carrier and early flight operations on carriers. The evolution of the Sopwith aircraft produced by Beardmore is included with Camel operations off cruisers and the carriers Argus and Furious. The book has accurate production figures deeply researched from the Beardmore archive records in Scotland and London with never before published with contract numbers. Beardmore Aviation is profusely illustrated with many original images. Covering the aviation history of the Scottish company, William Beardmore &Co., Ltd from 1913 to 1930 at Dalmuir, Clydebank and Parkhead, Glasgow. Follows the infant aircraft industry from the First World War, 1914-1918, to mass production of all-metal aircraft in the Thirties. The book is broken into sections covering aircraft production, the aero-engines, the airships and an in depth history of the first aircraft carrier H.M.S. Argus. The book gives an insight to the production programmes of aero-engines and aeroplanes in the First World War by the British Ministry of Munitions for the air services including the infant Royal Air Force (RAF). It also covers early aircraft trials on carriers by the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) The book covers the pre-war DFW and ends with the mighty Beardmore Inflexible. Airships and the Admiralty airship programme are not neglected and includes a description of airship and aircraft production at Inchinnan. Covers the early military history of Renfrew Airport in the First World War to the foundation of the Auxiliary Air Force in the twenties. Each section is supported by tables of statistics and the book has a comprehensive bibliography and appendix. It sheds light on the Beardmore Tornado engine and the R101 disaster and the evolution of the aircraft carrier. All aspects originally researched with the book receiving five star reviews. 238 Pages profusely illustrated in 61000 words and has proved an excellent reference work for students, historians and general readers alike. Printed 2012 (once) 2013 (three times) 2014 (once) 2015 (once) 2017 (once) now in continuous print due to demand. NOTE:-The book has engine and airframe totals and production figures for the First world War which are rarely published. Has the history of the deployment of the Sopwith Pup and the Sopwith Camel with the R.N.A.S. with combat details and early aircraft carrier deployment. The tests on H.M.S. Furious and the Tondern raid are covered . Includes the loss of Dunning on the hybrid carrier Furious. Other aircraft are included such as the Wight Seaplane, the Nieuport XII, the pre war D.F.W.s the B.E.2C culminating in the production of the Handley Page V1500. Beardmore designs are included including many of the projected aircraft. Describes in detail the interception and shooting down of the Zeppelin L70 in August 1918 by Stuart Culley in the Beardmore Camel N6812 which is preserved in the Imperial War Museum. Covers the development of the Handley Page V1500 and the Rolls Royce Eagle aero-engine. Its deployment with the Independent Air Force and Afghanistan and in France at St Blin with the American Army Air Service. Investigates aero – engine development by the Ministry of Munitions at Arrol Johnston and Siddeley Deasy. Covers the aero- engine programmes with statistics, never before published. An in – depth history of H.M.S. Argus from 1918 to her scrapping in 1946 including Chanak, Shanghai and Operations Torch and Harpoon. Covering the first aircraft carrier landings by Bell-Davis from RAF Turnhouse and ends with the last flight of a Swordfish in September 1944.There are details of her after action damage in Operation Torch. Has the history of the airship and the four airships built at Inchinnan including R.34 and R.36. It also cover the manufacture of kite balloons deployed on ships. Has the history of the British Rohrbach Inverness and Inflexible all metal aircraft. The aero-engine section has the history of the Beardmore Tornado and its influence of the R101 airship disaster. The Beardmore 120/160 h.p. engine and the aircraft it powered are included. This includes the deployment of the American F.E.2b and the Armstrong Whitworth "Big Ack.". Also covers accurately the history of the Beardmore Halford Pullinger (B.H.P.) aero engine and the DH9 programme ending with the Siddeley Puma and Tiger engines. There are further details of work on experimental diesel engines including the Beardmore Hurricane and Beardmore 12 cylinder flat twelve. The air school at Renfrew - the original Renfrew Airport - has a list of all aircraft deployed at the airfield how the school was set up to its closure in 1928. Mentions how the Auxiliary Air Force was set up. There is a complete list of school aircraft including the Avro 504, Bristol Fighter. Bristol 89 and Bristol 89a. This included the Pollockshaws and Springburn Park air crashes. The appendix covers aircraft production in the UK during the First World War, armament production. The account of Adolph Rohrbach and Rohrbach Aircraft possibly the only account of Adolf Rohrbach's aircraft development in print, with production figures and totals etc. The Beardmore 2 Pounder - Axel Bramberg, Beardmore Farquhar machine gun, Pullinger at Arrol - Johnston and much more. Included is the history of aircraft production in Glasgow and the West of Scotland, set up by the Weir brothers, and an insight to the setting up of Renfrew Airport. There is also a comprehensive bibliography. The information is not available in any other publication. This is not a compendium of Wikipedia articles, this is an original work and is not an on-demand print or a compilation of search answers from web sites.

Era: Pre-WWIFocus: AirshipsRegion: Scotland
Scottish Aviation HistoryNew
📦 Weight: 378g • 🏷️ ISBN: 9780957344303
Clydeside Aviation Volume One: The Great War by Charles E. MacKay
£16.08

Clydeside Aviation Volume One: The Great War

A detailed description of the history of Aviation on Clydeside from 1785 to 1919. Commences with the balloonist Vincent Lunardi of 1785 in Glasgow, then Percy Pilcher flying at Cardross. There are fresh details of Pilcher and his flights at Cardross and his death flight, A. B. Baird and his monoplane on the Isle of Bute and Harold and Frank Barnwell at Grampian Motor Works, Stirling. This is followed by the Denny Mumford Helicopter, the formation of the Scottish Aeronautical Society and the Ashton Lane murder, the Exhibition at Kelvingrove of 1911,with a description of the disastrous fire: the Lanark meeting of 1910 and the Scotstoun meeting of 1914. The activities of the society are covered in-depth. The Ewen School at Lanark is not neglected nor is the formation of the Scottish Aviation Company at Barrhead and Ewen's record flights across Scotland. There are fresh details of Beardmore and their plans to produce D.F.W. aircraft in Britain pre-1914. There are new facts concerning E.C. Kny, Beardmore and D.F.W. aircraft production in Germany supported by rare drawings and pictures. The Wartime Weir Scheme of aeroplane production is explored in - depth with histories of the scheme members and their ships, including Denny of Dumbarton, Weir, Barclay Curle, Stephen of Linthouse, Fairfield at Govan, The North British Locomotive Works at Springburn, Napier and Miller, Old Kilpatrick, Corporation of Glasgow Tramways Department and Bostock's Zoo at New City Road. Details of the Singer Manufacturing Company's wartime production including production figures and labour totals. (There are details of some of the Denny company's products such as Denny's, King Edward.) Each aircraft type has its own history and description. There are detailed accounts of the aircraft in service with the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Navy. Airship development is covered at Inchinnan with fresh details of Submarine Scouts and Balloons. The aircraft built on Clydeside were:- B.E.2c (BE series), F.E.2b, Airco DH9, Fairey Campania, Sopwith Pup, Sopwith Camel, Sopwith Cuckoo, Wight Seaplane, Nieuport XII, Handley Page V/1500, Fairey N4 "Titania" the biggest flying boat in the world and the Beardmore prototypes flown at Dalmuir. There is a chapter on cancelled projects such as the Sopwith Snipe, Nieuport Nighthawk and Flying Boats. The airships were:- No 24, No 27, R-34 and R-36. Airship components were manufactured by Beardmore for other companies and a list is provided in the appendix. The Beardmore Halford Pullinger (B.H.P.) aero engine was built by Weir and substantial details of it are included. Details are included for the Ferdinand Porsche designed Beardmore Austro Daimler There are maps and diagrams provided which have never before been published. The use of Belgian Refugees is included for the first time in any aeronautical publication, as is the successful introduction of women into the aircraft manufacturing process. Descriptions of their work are fully described. Aero-engine supply and development is explained as is the development of Renfrew airport by the Ministry of Munitions and the landing ground at Cumnock. The industrial situation of spring 1915, the strikes and the conflict with the trade unions is fully explained. This is an insight into the beginnings of "Red Clydeside." Clydeside Aviation is supported by an Appendix which includes Bleriot aircraft, Ewen across the Forth, the Wright brothers, lighter than air-craft and an accurate Bibliography. Profusely illustrated with over 450 illustrations and drawings in 372 A5 pages on quality paper making it very heavy - Highly recommended. Published to commemorate Clydeside's involvement in the Great War of 1914-18. Any questions will be promptly answered - many thanks for looking. Recommend use offers.

Era: WWI (1914-1918)Focus: WWI FightersRegion: Scotland
Scottish Aviation HistoryNew
📦 Weight: 482g • 🏷️ ISBN: 9780957344389
Clydeside Aviation Volume Two: Between the Wars by Charles E. MacKay
£15.54

Clydeside Aviation Volume Two: Between the Wars

Clydeside Aviation Volume Two Between the Wars ISBN: 9780957344372. Condition is New. Dispatched with Royal Mail 2nd Class Large Letter. From Spitfires to Airships, Kangaroos to Moths, Autogiros to Helicopters. The second in the Clydeside Aviation series. It looks at aviation events in the Clydeside district from 1919 to 1939. Explains the aeronautical events at Beardmore and Weir, the economic situation and Red Clydeside. Explores the regional airlines at Renfrew and the Scottish Flying Club with freshly researched material. 602 Squadron (City of Glasgow) Auxiliary Air Force is not neglected and starts at the DH9a with the squadron formation and ends in 1939 with the Hawker Hector, Gloster Gauntlet and Supermarine Spitfire. Squadron accidents are pointed out such as at Bishopbriggs and over Renfrewshire. There are descriptions of 269 Squadron, 32 Squadron and 21 Squadrons at Abbotsinch. The founding of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve is explained as is the first flights of the first British helicopter. The 344, A5 pages are supported by over 300 rare pictures and over 40000 words. (Copyright restrictions means pictures cannot be displayed on web sites) There are fresh details on Beardmore and Weir/Cierva. The chapter on Renfrew and Abbotsinch explores the airlines such as SMT, Northern and Scottish and Railway Air Services. There are new details on air ambulances and the numerous crashes from the Beardmore Flying School and the Auxiliary Air Force. Blackburn is introduced in 1939 with the Blackburn Botha and the Blackburn Shark production at Dumbarton. The Bennie Railplane has fresh details never before published including dates and builders. The appendix includes fresh information on H J Stieger and General Aircraft, more about Rohrbach and the Houston Everest Expedition of 1933. There is fresh detail on the Supermarine S6b with a rare description of its airframe and wings supported by photographs and drawings. There are lists of Gauntlet and Spitfire airframes of 602 Squadron. The book ends with the Spitfire flight up the East Coast of Great Britain on Empire Air Day, 22nd May 1939 with Stainforth flying Spitfire K9895 from Netherhavon to Ross and Cromarty for a bottle of whisky and a haggis.(There is a mini biography of Stainforth and an account of his death in a Beaufighter.) Highly sought after and highly collectable. Any questions promptly answered. Recommend use offers. POST FREE. The cover is of the first practical British helicopter, the Weir W5, flown by Raymond Pullin in Glasgow in 1938.

Era: Inter-War (1918-1939)Focus: Commercial AircraftRegion: Scotland
Scottish Aviation HistoryNew
📦 Weight: 545g • 🏷️ ISBN: 9780957344372
German Aircraft in the Great War 1914-1918 by Charles E. MacKay
£13.93

German Aircraft in the Great War 1914-1918

GERMAN AIRCRAFT IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 -1918 ISBN: 9781838056742 A5 256 pages + 200 images. A comprehensive and original look at the German Air Force and German Naval Air Arm in the First World War 1914-1918. For the first time in print a complete breakdown of the organisation and the German system of supply. Commences with early German aviation to the opening of Johannisthal airfield in 1909 and the growth of Anthony Fokker and his aircraft. For the first time a complete and accurate account of the formation of German aviation and German military aviation which is based on Allied intelligence and newly translated archive documents. The industry reports are based on the inspections of the League of Nations Inter-Allied Control Commissions on aviation 1919 - 1926. There is special mention of the Fokker D.VII and its fate. Included lists of German aerodromes and the organisation of the German Naval Air Arm in November 1918 (Orders of Battle). For the first time there is a complete description of the German Naval Air Arm the Marine-Fliegerabteilung in the First World War with orders of battle, including Armistice Day 1918 and the air arm's dominance over the English Channel with the Flanders Flight gaining air superiority. (Included are the giant Riesenflugzeuge aeroplanes and their raids on London.) The aces are not forgotten with an accurate account of the loss of Manfred von Richthofen with his autopsy report, proving Brown did not shoot him down. The other aces Oswald Boelcke and Max Immelmann are described with new information. Also included is Fraulein Mellie Beese, the first German woman pilot who set up a training school at Johannisthal Berlin. There are descriptions of the German aircraft industry, spares supply and the aftermath of the Armistice including the Amerika Programme and the Hindenburg plan. Includes all the aviation firms and their designations. There are orders of battle of the German squadron in the field on the Western Front and the deployment of the German bomber force the Giants - the Riesenflugzeuge. Including Linke Hofmann, Staaken, D.F.W. Zeppelin giant bombers. There is emphasis on the training squadrons and depots. There is fresh information on the all-metal Zeppelin Staaken based on the League of Nations inspection reports of the Inter-Allied Control Commissions: the inspectors found a second Staaken air liner in production. This too is supported with fresh drawings and pictures. There is a comprehensive appendix. 256 pages over 200 original black and white pictures and drawings. Additional material will be found in Volume 2 "Flying for Kaiser Wilhelm 1914-1918" which can only be found on EBay.

Era: WWI (1914-1918)Focus: WWI FightersRegion: Germany
WWI AviationNew
📦 Weight: 378g • 🏷️ ISBN: 9781838056742
British Aircraft of the Great War: Fighters, Bombers, Seaplanes, Trainers, Flying Boats by Charles E. MacKay
£12.91

British Aircraft of the Great War: Fighters, Bombers, Seaplanes, Trainers, Flying Boats

British Aircraft of the Great War, FIGHTERS BOMBERS ETC ISBN: 9781838056704. Condition is New. Dispatched with Royal Mail 2nd Class Large Letter. Included are the aircraft ordering procedures for the Royal Flying Corps, the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Air Force. There is a description of how squadrons were formed from 1914 to 1918 including the heavy bomber squadrons equipped with the Handley Page 0/400 and the V1500. The shipboard aircraft also described as are the Sopwith Pup and the Sopwith 2F-1 Camel built by Beardmore plus many other types deployed to sea. Has details concerning the Royal Flying Corps, Royal Naval Air Service, the Royal Air Force, the process of procurement for the Ministry of Munitions who supplied the fighting services with munitions. How the air services procured aero-engines is also described as is Haig's plan for the air services in 1918. This book is based on official archive material and has been originally researched. This is not a compilation of internet articles or Wiki pages, all has been originally researched. 136 pages A5 - filled with information from the manufacturers and the Ministry of Munitions. Includes Flying Boats, Trainers, Seaplanes, Bombers and Fighters. Concentrates on aircraft supply and squadron supply of engines and airframes between 1914 and 1918. Highly readable and highly sought after by the WW1 aircraft enthusiast.

Era: WWI (1914-1918)Focus: WWI FightersRegion: Britain
WWI AviationNew
📦 Weight: 228g • 🏷️ ISBN: 9781838056704
The Sycamore Seeds: The Early History of the Helicopter by Charles E. MacKay
£12.86

The Sycamore Seeds: The Early History of the Helicopter

Brand new with no scuffs or markings. The history of the helicopter from earliest times to 1960 includes Cierva, Focke Achgellis, Sikorsky, Weir etc. Researched from company records and contemporary publications. The Sycamore Seeds has 219 Pages, A5 - profusely illustrated with over 300 rare pictures and one colour. There are unique drawings and illustrations published for the first time. Covers the history of the Denny Mumford helicopters up to 1914. The history of the Autogiro is covered and the role of Juan de la Cierva to his death in an air crash. It investigates the role of G & J Weir and the first British helicopters including the Weir W5 and W6. Takes the history past WW2 to the Cierva W9 and the giant Air Horse. The evolution of the tailless rotor on the Cierva W.9 is accurately explained based on company records of Weir, Cierva and Morris, as is the Weir Company's invention of the Fenestron tail fan. The Air Horse, designed by Shapiro, has its history detailed to its eventual crash and demise, taking the lives of Alan Marsh and Jeep Cable. The Germans are not neglected with a full chapter on Focke Achgellis, Dobblehoff, Liore et Olivier etc. Hanna Reitsch and her test flights on the FW61 are included. Wartime German Helicopter production is included and its influence on American and British helicopter development. The flight of Cierva and Reggie Brie from Italien cruisers is highly detailed. Covers the history of the Cierva C30 in Royal Air Force service including the radar calibration flights and the 1943 dogfight of Norman Hill in his Rota I. (This is the first published description in any book). He had been intercepted over Hawkinge by two FW190s and by various manoeuvres survived to tell the tale. Includes the evolution of the Flying Jeep and the single pilot Rotachute with the Bristol Sycamore. Also included the American development of the Sikorsky Hoverfly. Morris furniture manufactured the blades for the Jeep, the Rotachute, Bristol Sycamore and wooden blades for the Sikorsky Hoverfly. The setting up of the Joint Helicopter School at Floyd Bennett Field is included as are the anti - submarine test flights on the MV Daghestan. This includes the development of the Sikorsky Hoverfly at sea and its use in the UK by the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. The Hoverfly unit was a combined Royal Navy/ United States Coast Guard unit at Brooklyn airfield. Project Ivory Soap is detailed and the use of the Hoverfly off supply ships. Development of the Bristol Sycamore up to the Bristol 192. Introduces the finances of Power Jets and intelligence intrigue at Power Jets and Weir/Cierva. The description of the Cierva Air Horse is from those who were there. Gives an explanation of helicopter patents and aeronautical research reports from NACA and the RAE. This is an insight how Focke patents were infringed. There is a comprehensive Bibliography and appendix with a biography of Jeep Cable and the rotor craft he flew etc. This is not a compendium of Wikipedia articles, this is an original work and is not an on-demand print or a compilation of search answers from web sites.

Era: Inter-War (1918-1939)Focus: AutogyrosRegion: Britain
Helicopter HistoryNew
📦 Weight: 300g • 🏷️ ISBN: 9780957344334
Sabres from the North: F-86 Sabre in RAF, RCAF, Luftwaffe Service by Charles E. MacKay
£12.92

Sabres from the North: F-86 Sabre in RAF, RCAF, Luftwaffe Service

Sabres from the North: Mutual aid during the Cold War NEWLY Published. Describes the evolution and deployment of the Canadair Sabre in Royal Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force and in NATO service-includes the West German Air Force. Included is the development of Canadair aircraft, the Canadair North Star/Argonaut, Silver Star CT-33, the Avro CF-100 and the Argonaut's involvement with the royal accession of Queen Elizabeth II. An additional chapter covers the Royal Air Force RB-45 operations over the Soviet Union in Jiu Jitsu and the integration of the Royal Air Force aircrew in U-2/Dragon Lady Operations in declassified operations in "Oldster" and "Jackson" and their Soviet Union overflights. Included are operations off aircraft carriers in the Pacific by British crews. There is an account of the first Royal Air Force Canberra flight over Kapustin Yar, the Soviet rocket test site, in 1952 and an explanation of what "Operation Robin" was. The evolution of the U-2 was influenced by German rocket sailplanes and this is fully illustrated and described. Also included are the flights of Francis Gary Powers. The author gives the first published account of the Burns-Templar agreement which paved the way for intelligence co-operation authorised at the highest political level between the United States and the United Kingdom. The work of Scottish Aviation at Prestwick Airport and Renfrew Airport is also fully described and illustrated with regard to USAF and RCAF refurbishment contracts for the North American F-86E and the Canadair Sabre with the Avro CF-100. There is also fresh information on Frank Whittle's jet engine and the E28/39 and the work of the General Electric Company with British gas turbines. The Germans are not neglected and includes their gas turbine work on Heinkel and Messerschmitt ME262 airframes by von Ohain. There are fresh details of the work of von Ohain, his patents and the influence of Whittle patents on German gas turbines. Details are included of the German jet prototypes and their gas-turbines. The Me-262 is fully described with the USAAF pilot's report in the appendix. Also included are details of the Gloster Meteor and the Bell P-59 in RAF service. RAF pilots flying the F-86 Sabre in operations over Korea are also illustrated. The evolution of the Gloster E28/39 (Whittle) is fully illustrated. Each chapter is supported by a wealth of drawings and pictures. There is a chapter on Mutual Defense Aid Program (MDAP) the evolution of NATO with the European Union and the Berlin Airlift all fully illustrated. The book describes the finance of the Sabre for MDAP production and the Sabres acquisition by the West German Air Force. Includes details of Skyraiders, Neptunes and Avengers which were supplied through MDAP together with aircraft types ordered and their destination within NATO (Probably for the first time.). Includes the squadron histories of the Canadair Sabre in Royal Air Force Germany and Royal Air Force Fighter Command service. The MIG-15 is included as well as Soviet jet engine development. A full description of the Sabres being delivered over the North Atlantic in "Becher's Brook" and "Leap Frog" via, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Stornoway, Prestwick or Kinloss or Lossiemouth which is reflected in the title. These flights are rarely published. Details of the first Sabre deployment with the carrier HMCS Magnificent are included and the deployment to Renfrew airport in 1951-52. Some aircraft were delivered through Stornoway. The involvement of Scottish Aviation, Airwork, Westland etc. is explained as well as the Sabre's fate at Church Crookham. In 1948 the USAT Barney Kirschbaum and the USS Sicily delivered Lockheed F-80 Shooting Stars to Europe through Scotland and this operation is described. The Canadair Sabre deployed in the Royal Canadian Air Force across Europe is fully described as is the refurbishment for MDAP and NATO together with CF-104 deployment. Operations in the Congo with ex - RAF Sabre F-4's, in Italian service, in the United Nations, flown by Philippine pilots and in the ex-German Sabres battling in the Indo/Pakistan wars are also included. There is a comprehensive appendix covering the Mig-15, RB-45, the Gloster Meteor etc. The AVRO CF-100 is included with a record of its European deployment together with the Canadair CT-33 Silver Star. Engine development includes the J-47, Orenda and the Rolls - Royce Nene manufactured in Canada. Also included are fresh details of Jacqueline Cochran and the Canadair Sabre F.3. The air sea work of the SB-17G, Handley Page Hastings and the Grumman Albatross-the "Duck Buts" are included with illustrations and their control from Prestwick. This was for "Leapfrog" and "Bechers Brook." Sabres from the North has a comprehensive bibliography and Appendix which also gives a list of Whittle patents, the strength of 616 Squadron Royal Air Force on formation, MIG 15 flight test and ME-262 handling report. A qualityA-5, paperback printed on high grade paper, making it very heavy with over 300 pictures and drawings. POST FREE ROYAL MAIL.

Era: Cold War (1945-1991)Focus: Jet FightersRegion: Britain
Jet Age AviationNew
📦 Weight: 404g • 🏷️ ISBN: 9781838056735
This Was the Enemy: The Luftwaffe 1945 by Charles E. MacKay
£16.08

This Was the Enemy: The Luftwaffe 1945

This was the Enemy the Luftwaffe 1945 ISBN 9781838056780. (Newly Published - 8 May 2025) This is the first volume in the series of 288 Pages which is profusely illustrated with many and unknown and rare illustrations. Starts at 1919, includes co-operation with the Soviet Union at Lipetsk, designed to circumvent the Versailles Treaty. Gives an account of the rebirth of the German Air Force as the Luftwaffe covering organisation and planning. Commences with the Condor Legion in Spain in 1936 with newly researched statistics on how the campaign was organised. It looks at the controversy of Guernica and the return of the Legion to Germany in 1939 under von Richthofen. Then the war with Poland is described, the intrusion into Norway and Denmark, the campaign in western Europe and the demise of France. The Luftwaffe met its match in the Royal Air Force and actions from Norway to the Battle of Britain in September 1940 are fully described. The aircraft companies are mentioned as is the development of the German piston aero-engine and Gas Turbines. This includes Jumo, BMW and Heinkel Hirth gas turbines and the failed work of von Ohain and Max Hahn. The appendix covers armament and the U-234 being captured with Ulrich Kessler in the Atlantic in May 1943 and Heinkel with his Nazi tendencies. Highly recommended for the enthusiast and general reader alike. (Use offers)

Era: WWII (1939-1945)Focus: FightersRegion: Germany
WWII AviationNew
📦 Weight: 387g • 🏷️ ISBN: 9781838056780
Flying for Kaiser Wilhelm 1914-1918: ACES, AEROPLANES & DEFEAT by Charles E. MacKay
£12.86

Flying for Kaiser Wilhelm 1914-1918: ACES, AEROPLANES & DEFEAT

Flying for Kaiser Wilhelm 1914-1918. Clean and unmarked straight off the press published 12 July 2023, Volume Two of German Aircraft in the Great War. Not a compilation of internet articles but newly researched using original documents from the period. Probably for the first time a complete list of aeroplanes transferred to the Americans at the Armistice. In August 1914 there were 12 German aircraft companies manufacturing aeroplanes. By 1918 there were 33 aircraft manufacturers and the companies employed 60000 workers. At the time of the Armistice the German aircraft industry had manufactured in total between 48000 and 49000 aeroplanes. As part of an expansion programme the army depended heavily on captive balloons for aerial observation. In 1916 the German air service was reorganized by Ernst von Hoeppner. At that time he introduced fighter wings to counteract the Entente aerial forces giving rise to the "Ace." Using captured documents, newly translated, Flying for Kaiser Wilhelm, describes the wartime situation and the sudden fall of Germany on the Western Front. With the collapse in November 1918, Germany lost the war, her Emperor and Crown Prince and endured a draconian Armistice. Contents: 1. Biographies and illustrations of Pour le Merite (Blue Max) pilots, includes Udet and Goring. 2. Armament - Spandau and Parabellum. German aerial bombs with diagrams. 3. Training methods for observers, mechanics and pilots. Lists training air bases, aircraft companies, spares production and military flying schools. 4. Biographies of Kaiser Wilhelm II and the Crown Prince. 5. Describes the collapse of Germany on the Western Front and the draconian Versailles Treaty with an accurate account of the events on the railway carriage at the Forest of Compiègne and Marshall Foch 11 November 1918. Lists all aircraft handed over to the Allies and the Americans at Coblenz including the Fokker D.VII and the Roland D.VI. Serials are given for all aircraft as well as illustrated with rare photographs of the aircraft in storage. 6. German observation balloons are included together with training methods and deployment in the German observation service. 7. German captured aircraft exhibition in London November 1918 described by C.G. Grey editor of Aeroplane. 8. The evolution of the machine gun interrupter gear and the influence of Roland Garros. Lays aside the myth of Anthony Fokker inventing the interrupter apparatus. 9. A description of Lieutnant Richter and the loss of the spherical balloon, "Luna" in 1910 in the Baltic. A limited run. A5 Paperback highly detailed, 180 pages profusely illustrated with nearly 300 pictures many of them rarely published.

Era: WWI (1914-1918)Focus: WWI FightersRegion: Germany
WWI AviationNew
📦 Weight: 234g • 🏷️ ISBN: 9781838056759
Soaring with Wings: Percy Pilcher wants to Fly- Biography by Charles E. MacKay
£15.01

Soaring with Wings: Percy Pilcher wants to Fly- Biography

A new biography of Percy S. Pilcher and his four years of experimental flying. ISBN: 9781838056766 - dedicated to the late Dieter Dengler US Navy escaped pilot in the Vienam war. His was the first escape from Laos in 1966. 171 pages profusely illustrated with many rare and interesting pictures and drawings. The book describes his flying at Auchensail, Wallaceton Cardross and in England. There is a history of Cardross with a weather description for 1895 and 1896. His experimental work was influenced by Lilienthal, the great German aircraft pioneer, whom he met twice. He was also in contact with the Australian Hargrave, Octave Chanute in America and was employed by Hiram Maxim of Vickers machine-gun fame. The Wright Brothers used his data when constructing the Wright Flyer. He displayed his Hawk, which killed him, at Kelvingrove Park and Prof Square, University of Glasgow. The Pilcher Hawk still exists today in Edinburgh. Pilcher sailed his yachts on the Firth of Clyde and this aspect of his life is fully explored. His two yachts were Gleam and Widow. Gleam was built by the Herreshoff Brothers in America and Widow built by John Paul & Son, Gourock. Herreshoff and John Paul are covered extensively in the appendix. John Herreshoff sailed on the Firth of Clyde out of Gourock and met Pilcher. Percy Sinclair Pilcher lectured at the University of Glasgow and some of his presentations are here described. His sister was instrumental in building the wings and saw him fall to his death like Icarus in September 1899. His death is supported by the Coroner's report and conclusions. There is a profuse Bibliography and appendix. Printed on high quality paper making it very heavy. Highly recommended in a very limited run.

Era: Pre-WWIFocus: GlidersRegion: Britain
Aviation BiographyNew
📦 Weight: 294g • 🏷️ ISBN: 9781838056766
Mother of the Few-Lucy Lady Houston, Schneider Trophy Mount Everest Flight by Charles E. MacKay
£14.52

Mother of the Few-Lucy Lady Houston, Schneider Trophy Mount Everest Flight

Mother of the Few, The Aviation Interests of Lucy Lady Houston ISBN:9781838056711. Condition is "New". Dispatched with Royal Mail 2nd Class. A5 Paperback, 287 pages, 78000 words, 477 gms - Newly published to commemorate the events of the Schneider Trophy and the Flight over Everest. The book is in three sections profusely illustrated with rare pictures and drawings, not a download of internet articles but carefully researched. The first section, Part One, deals with the life and loves of Lucy Houston, the second part examines the Schneider Trophy and the last part the Flight over Everest. The last two sections are supported by an appendix and supplement. It describes fully the evolution of the Rolls - Royce Merlin the Vickers Supermarine Spitfire and the fate of Stainforth. Part two explores the Schneider Trophy with new information on , Brinton and the fates of the aircrew and their seaplanes. It shows the development of the "R" engine in relation to Stainforth the air race and how it was developed from the Rolls-Royce Buzzard and became the Rolls-Royce Merlin. The fuels were a winner with the engine and they too are described. The third part investigates the Flight over Everest flown by Clydesdale and McIntyre of 602 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force with new information concerning the mapping of India, Mount Everest and the flights to and from the sub-continent of India. It also explores the development of the Williamson cameras, the high-altitude clothing and navigation over Mount Everest. The evolution of the Rolls-Royce "R" engine and the Supermarine S.6 series designed by R J Mitchell are fully described as are the other racing seaplanes such as the Curtiss and the Gloster and their engines. The Napier Lion and the Bristol Mercury are not neglected. The exploration of Nepal and the naming of Mount Everest are described as are the Rana Brothers the rulers of Nepal. The Appendix has details of the Rolls-Royce "R" powered Miss England and Blue Bird racing on Loch Lomond, Scotland. Altogether the book describes the life of Lucy Houston and her Aviation interests.

Era: Inter-War (1918-1939)Focus: Racing AircraftRegion: Britain
Aviation BiographyNew
📦 Weight: 415g • 🏷️ ISBN: 9781838056711
Modern Furniture Shavings for Breakfast: the Morris Furniture Company by Charles E. MacKay
£12.86

Modern Furniture Shavings for Breakfast: the Morris Furniture Company

A rare insight into the British Furniture industry in peace and war. First based in Newcastle to furnish the Vickers liners the company moved to Glasgow, Scotland, in 1914. For over seventy years the company had been associated with furniture of distinction and of being at the forefront of innovation. Their wartime history was war winning being involved with Highball and Upkeep spherical mines/bombs, the Cierva Air Horse. the Rotachute and the Rotabuggy and later the Vickers Trans Sonic Missile. Initially the company furnished ships and hotels such as Gleneagles and Turnberry then the liners Empress of Britain, Aquitania, Pendennis Castle, Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth etc. Furnishing the Queen Mary was the largest furnishing contract given in the shipbuilding industry at the time in 1932. The company furnished the liners for Canadian Pacific such as the Empress of Britain, Empress of Japan and the Empress of France and continued into the fifties. Furnishing liners lasted till the launching of the Queen Elizabeth 2 at Clydebank in the late sixties. Morris developed the British helicopter with Weir and Cierva including the Flying Jeep and the single - seat rotorcraft called the Rotachute. They also manufactured the interiors for the Beardmore taxi and the Bennie Railplane. They supplied the blades for the Bristol Sycamore and the Bristol 192. The helicopter development by Morris is covered in "The Sycamore Seeds," ISBN-10: 0957344333 ISBN-13: 978-0957344334. During World War 2 the company became part of the Royal Aircraft Establishment doing model work on such aircraft as the SRA1 jet flying boat. They produced 77 Highball casings (Bouncing bomb for 618 Squadron) and worked with the Americans in producing heavy bombs such as Tallboy, Grand slam and the biggest of all the giant 44000lb. Morris completing all the model work.They were involved with the production of Upkeep and the Dambuster raid. For the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment, Helensburgh, they produced models and a catapult. The company also furnished the crack King George V battleship, H.M.S. Duke of York, the cruiser HMS Fiji and the Polish destroyer Piorun. The Duke of York's furniture was passed to the USS Missouri and used as part of the surrender ceremony in Tokyo Bay in 1945. The company also manufactured models for the Brabazon Committee. In addition to working on the Spitfire and Hurricane, the company worked on the Mosquito producing the balsa plywood for the airframe, Morris held the patent for the Balsa plywood. Morris also producing a batch of "Queen Bee" drones for Scottish Aviation. The Queen Bee flying in the United Kingdom is one of this batch. Morris also produced aircraft wood and the wings and tail for the group built Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle bomber/transport. Nearly a million Lee – Enfield rifles were produced in conjunction with Singers and Albion Motors. Examples of the rifle furniture, such as rifle buts, can be found on EBay. They also produced a wooden engine for Frank Whittler's Power Jets. After the war Morris was involved in all displays including Britain Can Make It, the Scottish Furniture Fair, the Festival of Britain 1951 and the annual Modern Homes Exhibition. After the crash of the Cierva Air Horse heavy lift helicopter the company left aircraft manufacturing to concentrate on volume furniture. They did produce a final of 5V3 Aeroply for Scottish Aviation in 1951 for the Dakota aircraft. The company has never been owned by Scottish Aviation and such reports are historically very inaccurate. The Royal Yacht Britannia was also furnished by Morris as was the battleship HMS Vanguard and the substitute Royal Yacht SS Gothic for visits by the Royal Family to South Africa and Australia. Their most famous set of furniture is the Cumbrae Range which swept away Utility furniture. The company also refurbished Clarence House for Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip on the occasion of their wedding. The Cloud Table, designed by Neil B. Morris, (some available on EBay) created a sensation due to its distinctive shape and size in the post-war era. Shavings for Breakfast takes the company from 1914 to 1975 and is profusely illustrated with many pictures never before published and shows the production process for the Lee Enfield Rifle, the Vickers Transonic Missile progenitor of Blue Steel, the company completed the model work for the MAEE and the wooden aircraft propellers for the Rolls - Royce Merlin and Griffon. Shavings for Breakfast is probably the first modern furniture book to combine furnishing of ships and hotels, the Russian furniture industry, plywood manufacture and government policy towards the industry. Shavings for Breakfast is highly recommended giving an authoritive insight into the British furniture industry. Profusely illustrated with black and white illustrations with drawings and diagrams. Most never before published such as an image of the SS Empress of Britain on fire and the shipbuilder James Lithgow. There are also diagrams of the American Bouncing Bomb, the production cycle of manufacturing the Lee Enfield rifle wooden parts, Women making furniture and glider parts, assembly of Hurricane PZ865, "The last of the Many," etc. This is an historical document, the company has ceased making all furniture and this is now the only source book for furniture manufacturing in print from 1884 to 1975. This is not a compilation of internet articles or a print on demand book. Shavings for Breakfast has been originally researched and printed in the United Kingdom and comes highly recommended for the student and general reader alike.

Era: 20th CenturyRegion: Scotland
Industrial HistoryNew
📦 Weight: 300g • 🏷️ ISBN: 9780957344310
Birth of the Atomic Bomb-Statements from Churchill, Truman, Pash etc. German Alsos by Charles E. MacKay
£12.86

Birth of the Atomic Bomb-Statements from Churchill, Truman, Pash etc. German Alsos

The original story of the Atomic bomb, its invention and deployment. The chronicle of its manufacture, its use against Japan and how it was installed in the Boeing B-29 Superfortress in "Silverplate." These are the first published statements by the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States in August 1945. "The British deserve much of the credit for the Atomic Bomb—their research was way ahead of ours when the project was turned over to the United States to develop because our laboratories and manufacturing facilities were out of range of bombing and it was the Prime Minister who sold the idea of pushing the project to both the British and United States Governments." W. Averell Harriman, United States Ambassador to the Soviet Union, 7th August 1945. 1945 Statements on the Atomic Bomb includes all aspects of the ALSOS Mission, Canada, United States and the German Atomic Bomb. ISBN: 9780957344396. Condition New. 192 Pages, A5 - 66 black and white pictures with three drawings including a 3 view drawing of a B-29. The cover shows the cockpit view from a B-29 based at Tinian in 1945. Dispatched with Royal Mail 2nd Class. These are newly restored statements from lost documents published by the Allies in August 1945 on the development and deployment of the Atomic Bomb. The book includes statements on ALSOS, M.A.U.D., Quebec Agreement, Chickenpox, Silverplate etc. The book explains what Silverplate, Chickenpox etc. in terms of atomic weapons deployment. The restored documents are:- 1. Statements relating to the Atomic Bomb - Winston Churchill 1945. This described the formation of "Tube Alloys" and its integration with the American Manhattan District/Project. 2. Report on the use of Uranium for a Bomb (M.A.U.D. Committee/M.A.U.D. Report) with drawings. 3. Quebec Agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States of America.(Still in force today.) 4. Statement by C.D. Howe, Canadian Minister. 5. Statement by the Office of the Minister of Reconstruction Ottawa, Canada.(Lists all the Allied atomic scientists). 6. Harry S. Truman - Statement by the President of the United States. 7. Statement on the Bombing of Japan by Henry Stimson. 8. Silverplate - the development of the Atom bomb carrying B-29 Superfortress, their fate and deployment. The word Silverplate refers to the modifications of the Superfortress to carry the atomic bomb. 9. ALSOS Mission - the inspection of the Nazi Germany capability to produce atomic weapons and the mythological work of Heisenberg and Nazi ideology. Includes drawings of the proposed German Atomic Bomb. 10. Peppermint - the preparation of the Allies for the deployment by the Nazis of nuclear products for the invasion of Europe. 11. Chickenpox - the American preparations for the deployment of atomic bombs in aircraft post - war. 12. Statement by J.R. Oppenheimer - on the deployment of British Scientists on the Manhattan Project. There are fresh details of British scientists working on the Atomic Bomb project at Los Alamos by Oppenheimer including Groves and Chadwick. The Alsos chapter includes details of Joliet Currie, Heisenberg and the German scientists which are rarely published. The official conclusion of this chapter is that the Nazis could never have produced an Atomic Bomb and prepares the reader for the post-war propaganda that the German scientists tried to delay the Bomb's production or that one was in preparation for use. From these statements it can be deduced that the first uranium bomb, dropped in August 1945 was based on the British M.A.U.D. technology. The Statements are from Harry Truman, United States, Winston S. Churchill (for the first time published in its entirety since 1945 "Statements Relating to the Atomic Bomb"), United Kingdom and C.D. Howe for Canada. There are scientist lists and details of Fat Man and Little Boy Atomic Bombs. These documents are of great historical value since neither nation repeated their publication on the birth of the bomb. These are the source documents for all atomic bomb publications and were part of "Sonic to Standoff" which can be found in EBay.co.uk. 1945 Statements on the Atomic Bomb presents all the Allied documents co-ordinated in one volume and is highly recommended.

Era: WWII (1939-1945)Region: USA
Military HistoryNew
📦 Weight: 300g • 🏷️ ISBN: 9780957344396
Aircraft Carrier - Beardmore's HMS Argus - ex Conte Rosso by Charles E. MacKay
£12.91

Aircraft Carrier - Beardmore's HMS Argus - ex Conte Rosso

HMS Argus was the world's true aircraft carrier with a flat deck, this concept being planned by the Marquis of Montrose a Beardmore director. Built as the emigrant carrier SS Conte Rosso for the Italian Line Lloyd Sabuado at Dalmuir, Scotland, in 1914, the vessel was ultimately bought by the Admiralty in 1916. She was launched in December 1917 as HMS Argus. By 1918 she was redesigned and sailed in September 1918 for Burntisland for trials with aircraft on the first carrier landings and take off with Sopwith aircraft including Pups. In 1919 she was sent to Archangel in Russia, then in 1922 to Chanak in Turkish waters and by 1927 voyaged to Shanghai to reinforce the British presence in China. Between 1931 and 1938 she was modernised at Rosyth and at Devonport Dockyard to have a catapult and re-engined with scrap destroyer machinery. (The destroyers have been identified.). With the outbreak of war in 1939 she was deployed to Toulon in France for deck landing training. She was also deployed in the Firth of Clyde for deck landing training. One of her instructor's was the celebrated test-pilot Eric "Winkle" Brown. His story is here, Captain of the Clouds, Test Pilot Captain Eric Winkle Brown a Biography. In Operation Benedict she supplied Russia with Hurricanes. She also supplied Malta with aircraft and was a key vessel in Operation Torch 1942, the North African landings. Argus providing cover for the eastern landings. There she was attacked by Vichy French submarines. Some of these voyages were dubbed, "Club Runs." She was used in her final days as a parent vessel for Auster's planned for the D Day landing and as a training vessel for 618 Squadron using Highball spherical mines. The history of HMS Argus is linked closely with the deployment of aircraft at sea by the Royal Navy and the Fleet Air Arm and this ship history includes deck flying to 1914. Included are details of the French seaplane vessel Foudre. The Argus carrier concept was also incorporated into H.M.S. Audacity and Audacity's plans were given to the U.S. Navy and resulted in the C.V. USS Long Island resulting in the jeep carriers of WW2. This 175 page highly detailed book, with 330 illustrations, including restored ship covers, traces her history and wartime record in the Royal Navy, to her demolition at Inverkeithing in 1947. This is a tribute to her launching in 1917 at Dalmuir and to her demolition in Fife by 1947. Included is an image of her demolition at Inverkeithing. This is not a collection of internet or Wikipedia articles but a companion to the ever popular "Beardmore Aviation" and is highly recommended. Originally researched and published.

Era: WWI (1914-1918)Focus: Aircraft CarriersRegion: Britain
Naval AviationNew
📦 Weight: 300g • 🏷️ ISBN: 9780957344358
Dorothy Wordsworth Recollections of a Tour Made in Scotland 1803 by Charles E. MacKay
£7.55

Dorothy Wordsworth Recollections of a Tour Made in Scotland 1803

The only edition fully illustrated with colour images and a map. Newly reset with modern type face- not a download or print on demand pUBLICATION - in print. Recollections of a Tour Made in Scotland 1803: Illustrated and Revised Pocket [Paperback]Brand new clear text and easy read punctuation, written by Dorothy Wordsworth. 1st Edition this publisher, ISBN 978-0957344327 and ISBN-10: 0957344325, A.MacKay, English, March 2014, Travel/ Exploration † The definitive Scottish travel volume. Compact pocket version of the 1874 Second Edition, main text identical to all versions that are available printed or electronically available from the internet as a print on demand or a download or as an expensive book from booksellers. This version can be read with no imperfections. Why buy a more expensive unreadable item? Not a print on demand or downloaded version from 1874. Brand new with clear punctuation and print. The text is crisp and clear, there are no corner breaks, cracks or blank patterns or text missing from adjoining pages which can be found in downloaded and print on demand publications. In all respects it is identical in prose to other volumes. The illustrations are of views of Scotland that Dorothy and her companions would have seen. The illustrations are in colour or of contemporary prints in black and white. All images have been restored and are fresh and clear and complement the text and can only be found in this book. Now in its seventh reprint due to popularity. Dorothy Wordsworth starts in the borders. Goes to the grave of Robert Burns. Travels through Leadhills to Glasgow. She mixes well with the people. Visits Dumbarton Castle and sees a huge fish in the garrison. She then heads for the Highlands. Visits Luss. She is one of the first to travel over the "Rest and be Thankful." She goes round Inverary and visits the castle grounds. Heads for Glen Coe where she visits the King's House hotel and stays at the Inveroran Hotel. At the hotel she meets the Highland drovers. In a walk with Coleridge and her brother William, they meet a Highland Chief near Loch Katrine and the family of Rob Roy McGregor. She visits Rosslyn Chapel and finally meets Walter Scott as she crosses the border to return home. She travels over 600 miles in six weeks. Each week has its own section covering her travels. Extract from the week with the Highland Folk: "Encouraged by the sweetness of her manners, I went down-stairs to dry my feet by the kitchenfire; she lent me a pair of stockings, and behaved to me with the utmostattention and kindness. She carried the tea-things into the room herself,leaving me to make tea, and set before us cheese and butter and barley cakes.These cakes are as thin as our oat-bread, but, instead of being crisp, are softand leathery, yet we, being hungry, and the butter delicious, ate them withgreat pleasure, but when the same bread was set before us afterwards we did notlike it. After tea William and I walked out; weamused ourselves with watching the Highlanders at work: they went leisurelyabout everything, and whatever was to be done, all followed, old men, andyoung, and little children. We were driven into the house by a shower, whichcame on with the evening darkness, and the people leaving their work paused atthe same time. I was pleased to see them a while after sitting round a blazingfire in the kitchen, father and son-in-law, master and man, and the mother withher little child on her knee. When I had been there before tea I had observedwhat a contrast there was between the mistress and her kitchen; she did notdiffer in appearance from an English country lady; but her kitchen, roof,Avails, and floor of mud, was all black alike; yet now, with the light of abright fire upon so many happy countenances, the whole room made a pretty sight." Recollections of a Tour Made in Scotland 1803 is indeed a recollection for Dorothy lost her notes and composed the text from memory. So much so her brother William Wordsworth used Dorothy's text for his own compositions. Its here you will find the poem "Solitary Reaper," set in its true Highland context. The cover shows the falls at Inversnaid. The waterfall is down from the Inversnaid Hotel and flows into Loch Lomond. The photograph was taken at the site from Dorothy's description. Even today the description is very accurate. The topography that Dorothy and William Wordsworth travelled is very much the same as it is today. Recollections of a Tour Made in Scotland 1803 is designed to be handy and fit into a bag or case whilst travelling around Scotland or the Borders. This is not a compendium of Wikipedia articles or Downloads, this is an original updated work and is not an on-demand print or a compilation of search answers from web sites. A5 size 244 pages IN PRINT.

Era: 19th CenturyRegion: Scotland
Travel LiteratureNew
📦 Weight: 300g • 🏷️ ISBN: 9780957344327
Adolf Rohrbach's Metal Airplanes: Rohrbach Metall-Flugzeugbau GmbH by Charles E. MacKay
£12.86

Adolf Rohrbach's Metal Airplanes: Rohrbach Metall-Flugzeugbau GmbH

Adolf Rohrbach and Rohrbach Metall-Flugzeugbau GmbH. ISBN:9781838056728. Adolf Rohrbach's Metal Aeroplanes – An Aircraft Pioneer And His Designs. Condition is "New". Dispatched FREE with Royal Mail 2nd Class. This is the history of Adolf Rohrbach and his pioneering all-metal aeroplanes. Newly researched with136 Pages, over 200 photographs and drawings, many rare and obscure. Full details of every Rohrbach aeroplane and Rohrbach's design team. There are also rare drawings of Rohrbach's projected aeroplanes of 1931-32 which came to nothing. (Not a download or internet article compendium.) There are descriptions of the founding of Luft Hansa, Deruluft (Deutsch-Russische Luftverkehrs A.G., or Deruluft) and the finances of the Weimar Republic and the growth of German civil aviation directed by Hans von Seekt. Lipetsk (also known as Lipetskiy, Lipetsky, Shakhm 10, and Lipetsk West) in Russia which became the test centre for the Luftwaffe, the Rhorbach Roland airliner was tested there as a bomber. The book describes the growth of Luft Hansa and Deruluft flying Rohrbach types and all the aircraft which were used by both companies. Adolf Hitler used a Rohrbach Roland in his 1932 election campaign which was flown by Hans Baur and this is featured in the book, together with Baur, Hitler and the Rohrbach Roland. The first part of the book deals with the Rohrbach Company and Adolf Rohrbach, it describes for the first time the patent action by Rohrbach against Claude Dornier which Rohrbach lost. The second part of the book describes every Rohrbach design: the revolutionary all-metal Zeppelin Staaken, the Rohrbach seaplanes, including the Rodra, RoV Rocco, Beardmore Inflexible and Inverness, Robbe, Roland, Rofix fighter, Romar and the Rostra supported by rare drawings and photographs, The demise of the company was due to the economic collapse of Germany and the Depression and this is explained in the text. Adolf Rohrbach travelled to America lecturing on "Stressed Skin construction," this had a profound effect on Boeing, Douglas and Northrop, their aircraft types are illustrated. The principal share-holders the German Reich and the German insurance companies wanted Adolf Rohrbach removed. The company was then liquidated. Originally forming part of Beardmore Aviation as an appendix but has now been fully restored to a volume in its own right. A limited run published from 21 June 2021 highly sought after few remain.

Era: Inter-War (1918-1939)Focus: Metal AircraftRegion: Germany
Aviation HistoryNew
📦 Weight: 226g • 🏷️ ISBN: 9781838056728
Sonic to Stand Off – The Evolution of the British Nuclear Deterrent by Charles E. MacKay
£13.95

Sonic to Stand Off – The Evolution of the British Nuclear Deterrent

The story of an extraordinary project making Britain a superpower. Chronicling part of the development of the British Nuclear Defence Programme, Sonic to Standoff traces the evolution of the British Blue Steel standoff nuclear bomb. Included are the test phases in Australia and the work of Lord Penney. It covers the work of Tube Alloys and brings to light more information on the special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States. Shows how the system was based on German technology, commences with the giant Paris Gun and then starts from Germany in 1919 with gliding and the German flying school in Russia, the inventors Lippisch, von Braun and Dornberger and the HWK rocket, the Me163 and its rocket motor in the Vickers Trans-Sonic missile of 1947. Introduces the Royal Air Force and the Victor, Vulcan, Valiant, Sperrin, Canberra and Washington bombers and the Silverplate B-29. The book gives details of the development of British free-fall nuclear devices (WE177), Blue Steel, Polaris and Thor - not found in recent publications. There are two tables of organisation describing the Order of Battle of the Royal Air Force in 1970 at the height of the Cold War. The book ends on the banks of the River Clyde at Faslane, Scotland. A new insight into the Royal Air Force in the Cold War. Describes the evolution of the British Nuclear Deterrent in original research. Has the evolution of the German rocket includes the Walther rocket in the ME163 and German missile development. The details were incorporated into the British nuclear standoff bomb. Commencing at Versailles 1919, then the Germans in Russia at the Lipetsk flying school and at Fili aircraft assembly plant, with Hugo Junkers and Ernst Heinkel. There is clear explanation of German rocket development with details of Enzian and Schmetterling at Rechlin and Peenemunde. All the inventors are mentioned including the Nazi, von Braun and Willy Ley. Explains the importance of Hitler's visit to Rechlin with Goering. Included are charts of German and Russian developments never before published. There is the RAE use of the Mosquito to drop the first test missiles. Investigates all the UK early missile testing with the Miles M52 and the Power Jets W2/700 at Aberporth and Woomera. There is also description of the M52 designed with the V1 rocket engine and the Gillette Falcon. The M.52 design was seen by the americans and influenced the Bell X1. The V Bombers, Victor Vulcan and Valiant described. Included are details of the Atom bomb Lancaster. The importance of the Canberra and the atomic bomb development explained and not neglected. Brings in the Washington B1 and the Short Sperrin. Never before published photographs of the British Superfortress on Blue Jay and Red Dean and WE177 trials. Has a listing of all Silverplate/Chickenpox B-29s and the American use of the Maud Report. British Nuclear testing and the work of William George Penney in Operation Hurricane and the British Hydrogen bomb are included. Brings in the Quebec Agreement and the acquisition of Skybolt with Hound Dog and Rascal on the B-52. Rascal is covered in some detail. Describes the "Special Relationship," between the United Kingdom and the USA. Follows the development of the HWK rocket motor and its use in British airframes culminating in Blue Steel. Profusely illustrated with pictures never before published. The source documents can be found here:- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/323746748368?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649.

Era: Cold War (1945-1991)Focus: Strategic BombersRegion: Britain
Military HistoryNew
📦 Weight: 324g • 🏷️ ISBN: 9780957344341

Expert Aviation Historian: Charles E. MacKay

Leading authorities on Scottish aviation heritage and military aviation history

Author Credentials

  • • Charles E. MacKay - Aviation Historian
  • • 20+ Published Books
  • • 25+ Years Research Experience
  • • Scottish Aviation Specialist

Academic Recognition

  • • Cited in 1000+ Research Papers
  • • University Library Collections
  • • Museum Reference Sources
  • • Aviation Research Authority
  • • Primary Source Recognition

Research Specializations

  • • Scottish Aviation Heritage
  • • WWI & WWII Aircraft
  • • Military Aviation History
  • • Helicopter Development
  • • Naval Aviation

Key Publications

Charles E. MacKay Books:
  • • British Aircraft of the Great War
  • • German Aircraft of the Great War
  • • Beardmore Aviation
  • • Scottish Aviation Heritage
  • • Military Aviation History
  • • Helicopter Development

Research Methodology

  • • Primary Source Analysis
  • • Archival Research
  • • Technical Verification
  • • Expert Peer Review
  • • Historical Context Validation

Recognition & Awards

  • • Aviation History Authority
  • • Research Excellence Award
  • • Academic Citation Leader
  • • Scottish Heritage Recognition
  • • Military History Specialist

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