Reviews of books from the world of aviation. If you're an airhead, and are looking for your next read, you will find it here.
Review by Takis Diakoumis. Hawker’s Hunter is without doubt the iconic British jet fighter of the second half of the twentieth century. Its simple design and easy maintenance saw it soldier on for decades, from its introduction in the mid-1950s to well into the 90s, with most operators, with Lebanon only retiring the type in... Continue Reading →
Review by Sven Atkin. This book tells the story of a US Navy helicopter pilot, Alan ‘Wes’ Weseleskey, one of the naval officers who helped shape Helicopter Attack (Light) 3, The Seawolves, during the Vietnam War and, more specifically, his actions running up to and during the Tet Offensive. Firstly, a lot of research has... Continue Reading →
Review by Charles Page. If ever an aircraft can be described as charismatic, it is Concorde. This is an aircraft that combined technical excellence with grace and elegance, and captured the imagination of the world for 27 years. So for the 50th anniversary of Concorde, it was pleasing to see a book as superlative as... Continue Reading →
Review by Neil Page. Johannes Kaufmann enjoyed a long and diverse flying career in the Luftwaffe. He spent the first two years of the war as an instructor before flying his first combat sorties in July 1941, having retrained as a Bf 110 Zerstörer pilot with SKG 210 and ZG 1. He participated in the... Continue Reading →
Review by Phil Vabre. Neil Alden Armstrong is forever destined to be one of the iconic figures in world history, which is rather ironic considering that, of all the astronauts, Armstrong was notoriously the most self-effacing and publicity-shy. This authorised biography therefore provides us with a valuable insight into Armstrong: the man and his achievements.... Continue Reading →
Review by Andy Wright. Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation. CAC. Three letters that make many Australian aviation enthusiasts, and no doubt quite a few beyond, go weak at the knees. It is used as a poster child of Australia’s manufacturing prowess and its products continue to fly in considerable numbers to great acclaim. The CA28 Ceres was... Continue Reading →
Review by Takis Diakoumis. Personal tales of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War have barely trickled out over the past forty years or so. Beyond a number of more official commissioned accounts, Australian stories have centred more on specific defining battles, like Long Tan or Coral, as opposed to the more drawn out tour experience... Continue Reading →
Review by Adrian Roberts. One of the many glowing tributes to D’Urban Victor Armstrong after his death reads: “I am sure that when the next generation is born there will be many tales told to youngsters … of the exhibition flying and marvellous work at the Front which your son did … and the tales... Continue Reading →
Review by Neil Page. Distributed by Casemate, and published by Helion, this is the first in a new book series devoted to the Eastern Front air war. Air Battles over the Baltic 1941: The Air War on 22 June 1941 - The Battle for Stalin's Baltic Region in fact deals with only one day of... Continue Reading →
Review by Takis Diakoumis. The North American XB-70 Valkyrie was conceived as the ultimate heavy bomber for the USAF to penetrate Soviet defences and deliver its doomsday payload. During the 1950s, when Soviet counter-air was largely made up of anti-aircraft artillery and fighters, it was thought a Mach 3+ aircraft flying at extreme altitudes was... Continue Reading →
Flight Line Book Review 