2017 marks the 80th anniversary of the remarkable Hawker Hurricane formally entering service. The RAF's first monoplane fighter, it dragged the Air Force into a position where it could defend Britain in her 'hour of need'. The true workhorse of the RAF, the Hurricane came into its own in the hot summer months of 1940 valiantly defending the skies above Britain. Outnumbering Spitfires three to one, the Hurricane also downed far more enemy aircraft. Without the obvious elegance of the Me 109 or the Spitfire, the Hurricane was nonetheless beloved by its pilots for its ability to simultaneously take a battering and inflict serious damage from its remarkably stable gun platform. This stunning book reveals the Hurricane in all its glory - from fascinating first-hand accounts from the men who flew her to the truly breath-taking images from John Dibbs of the Hurricanes still in flight today. This lavish, fully illustrated edition is a must-have for all fans of aviation history.
Autorentext
John Dibbs is unquestionably the world's premier aerial photographer, having gained access to most of the 55 airworthy Spitfires presently flying across the globe. He has also amassed an amazing collection of related ephemera over the past 25 years, much of it Spitfire related - helmets, flying clothing logbooks medals, archive photography etc. - all of which will be included in this volume.
Inhalt
Foreword by Wing Commander Tom Neil, DFC, AFC, AE
Preface
In the Beginning
Chapter One Battle of France Survivor
Chapter Two 'Blue Peter'
Chapter Three 'Fighting 56'
Chapter Four 'In All Things First'
Chapter Five 'County of London' Squadron
Chapter Six Bader's 'Dogsbody'
Chapter Seven R 4118
Chapter Eight 'Warsaw-Kosciuszko' Hurricane
Chapter Nine 'Eagle Squadron'
Chapter Ten Malta Defender
Chapter Eleven Hurricane with a Hook
Chapter Twelve 'Hurribomber'
Chapter Thirteen M k XII
Chapter Fourteen Finnish Storm
Chapter Fifteen Hurricane Spectacular
Chapter Sixteen Hurricane Survivors
Appendix: Hawker Restorations Ltd
Bibliography
Index