An in-depth history of this RAF twin-engined interceptor, including firsthand accounts from those who flew it.The Gloster Javelin was designed to be a night/all-weather fighter. First introduced into RAF service in 1956 and retired in 1967, it was a large two-man, twin-engined and delta-winged aircraft. Although the Javelin was extremely rugged in construction, pilots were banned from spinning as test flights had proved it impossible to recover.During its s...

Vivid firsthand accounts from aviators who flew this renowned supersonic interceptor fighter.The English Electric Lightning was the only single-seat supersonic interceptor fighter designed and manufactured in the UK. It saw service with the RAF in the sixties and seventies and gained a worthy reputation for its speed—in excess of Mach 2—and phenomenal rate of climb. It was, however, not entirely reliable, and over fifty were lost during its operational career....

"The English Electric Lightning entered RAF squadron service in 1960 and continued flying in the interceptor role until 1988. It had a stunning world-beating performance with a top speed in excess of Mach 2 and a climb rate that would take it to 40,000 feet in a little over 3 minutes. The aircrafts safety record, however, left much to be desired. During a period in the early 1970s the attrition rate was the loss of a Lightning every month. There was a six per cent chance of a pilot experie...

An in-depth study of England's most famous fighter station during the year of the Battle of Britain.The Biggin Hill Wing, 1941 looks at the political upheaval within Fighter Command that saw the removal of Sir Hugh Dowding and Keith Park and their replacement by Sir William Sholto Douglas and Trafford Leigh-Mallory. The ongoing Big Wing controversy and the resulting change in tactics during 1941 are examined. The main part of the book is a chronological ac...

An in-depth look at this historic military aircraft, including firsthand accounts from those who flew it.The Meteor is remembered as the first British jet fighter to enter squadron service and the only jet-powered Allied fighter to see action in WW II. Subsequent development was limited as a result of its relatively conventional airframe—although it did hold the world air speed record for a while.The Meteor was immensely strong and many pilots owe their liv...

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom was the outstanding aircraft in many of the Western World's air forces during the 1960s and 70s. It played a key role in the 'Cold War' and saw action in Vietnam. It first flew in 1958 and went into operation with the US Navy in 1960. During its long front-line life it flew in the roles of an interceptor, fighter-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft.Apart from giving a comprehensive overview of the Phantom's history, this book looks particularly at the exper...

Originally conceived as a carrier-born maritime attack aircraft, the Blackburn design included many original features such as Boundary Layer Control, a system which blew hot air over the flying surfaces to increase lift when landing.

A look at the development and flight testing of the Griffon-powered Spitfires and Seafires, along with an operational history both during and after WWII.The Spitfire is probably Britain's best loved and admired airplane. It is also revered around the world. This book looks at the later marques that were modified for various special tasks and differed to a large degree from Supermarine's first early versions that saw action in the early days of World War II. New and ...

As the speed of early aircraft gradually increased there eventually became an awareness during the 1940's, that strange things were occurring at around 500mph. Many later WW2 fighter aircraft were reported to become dangerously uncontrollable in high-speed power dives. Pilot's and aircraft designers were beginning to encounter the sound barrier. We now realize it to be a phenomenon that occurs when the speed of sound is reached and air compressibility demands additional power to break thro...

The author of Javelin from the Cockpit looks at some of the more notable British, German, and American fighters through performance and handling trials.During the years preceding and during WW2, the RAF and the Royal Aircraft Establishment were responsible for the selection and procurement of British military aircraft and also to evaluate their capabilities against captured enemy models whenever possible. During the lend-lease agreement with the USA, the RA...

In All Things First' looks in detail at 1 Squadron during the Second World War with particular emphasis on the pilots and its operational activities. 1 Squadron was active from a very early stage when it flew to France on 8 September 1939 as part of the Advanced Air Striking Force and played a significant role in the Battle of France. Unlike most other squadrons that fought in France, it also played a major part in the Battle of Britain in 11 Group. Later in the war the Squadron had consid...

The historian and author of Postwar Counterinsurgency and the SAS reveals the full story of how the Special Air Service Regiment began during WWII.Britain's elite Special Air Service Regiment is one of the most revered special-ops units in the world. Its high-profile operations include the storming of the Iranian Embassy in London in 1980 and the hunt for Osama bin Laden in southern Afghanistan following 9/11. Since its inception during the Second World Wa...