Must have / read Books
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"Captain Lodi Speaking: Saying Goodbye to an Era" Written by Marius Lodeesen. Autobiography of an PAN AM Capitain who started his career on the famous clipper flying boats in the early '30 and retired on the 707, very interesting reading IMO....
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Recommended Books
I have written a series about aircraft construction in the UK including quite an extensive bibliography; some of these are truly great books, particularly for anyone interested in the history of the industry and test flying. I've copied below an extract from the Bibliography listing what I consider to be the best of these books:
Adventure with Fate, Harald Penrose, Airlife (1984)
The Aircraft of the World, William Green (Macdonald, 1965)
Aviation Archaeology, Bruce Robertson (Patrick Stephens Ltd, second edition 1983)
Aviation Landmarks, Jean Gardner (Battle of Britain Prints International 1990)
British Aircraft at War 1939-45, Gordon Swanborough (HPC Publishing, 1997)
British Aircraft Before The Great War, Michael H. Goodall, Albert E. Tagg (Schiffer Publishing Ltd, 2001)
British Aviation – Ominous Skies, Harald Penrose (HMSO, 1980)
British Aviation – The Adventuring Years, Harald Penrose (Putnam, 1973)
British Aviation – The Pioneer Years, Harald Penrose (Cassell Ltd, revised edition 1980)
British Aviation – Widening Horizons, Harald Penrose (HMSO, 1979)
British Civil Aircraft since 1919, A.J. Jackson (Putnam, 2nd edition, Vol. 1 1973, Vol. 2 1973, Vol. 3 1974)
British Homebuilt Aircraft since 1920, Ken Ellis (Merseyside Aviation Society, 2nd edition, 1979)
British Light Aeroplanes – Their Evolution, Development and Perfection 1920 – 1940, Arthur W.J.G. Ord-Hume (GMS Enterprises, 2000)
Dangerous Skies The, A.E. Clouston (Pan Books, 1956)
First Through the Clouds, F. Warren Merriam (B.T. Batsford Ltd, 1954)
The Flight of the Mew Gull, Alex Henshaw (John Murray, 1980)
The Forgotten Pilots, Lettice Curtis (Nelson Saunders, third edition, 1985)
History of British Aviation 1908-1914, R. Dallas Brett (Air Research Publications & Kristall Productions. Eightieth Anniversary Edition 1988)
I Kept No Diary, Air Cdre F.R. Banks (Airlife, 1978)
The Jet Aircraft of the World , William Green, Roy Cross (Macdonald, 1955)
Mach One, Mike Lithgow (Allan Wingate, 1954)
The Magic of a Name, Harold Nockholds (GT Foulis & Co. Ltd 1949)
The Marshall Story, Sir Arthur Marshall (Patrick Stephens Ltd, 1994)
Men with Wings, W/Cdr H.P. ‘Sandy’ Powell (Allan Wingate, 1957)
More Tails of the Fifties, Editor: Peter G. Campbell (Cirrus Associates (SW), 1998)
Not much of an Engineer, Sir Stanley Hooker (Airlife, 1984)
Pure Luck - The Authorized Biography of Sir Thomas Sopwith 1888-1989, Alan Bramson (Patrick Stephens Ltd, 1990)
The Quick and The Dead, W.A. Waterton (Frederick Muller Ltd, 1956)
Sent Flying, A.J. ‘Bill’ Pegg (Macdonald, 1959)
Sigh for a Merlin, Alex Henshaw, Crécy Publishing, 1999 reprint
Slide Rule, Nevil Shute (Readers Union, 1956)
The Spider Web, Sqn Ldr T.D. Hallam (Arms & Armour Press (reprint), 1979)
Spitfire - A Test Pilot’s Story, J.K. Quill (John Murray, 1983)
The Story of the British Light Aeroplane, Terence Boughton (John Murray, 1963)
Tails of the Fifties, Editor: Peter G. Campbell (Cirrus Associates (SW), 1997)
Test Pilot, Nevil Duke (Allan Wingate, 1953)
Test Pilots - The story of British Test Flying 1903-1984, Don Middleton (Willow Books, 1985)
Testing Time, Constance Babington Smith (Cassell & Co Ltd, 1961)
That Nothing Failed Them, Air Cdre A.H. Wheeler (G.T. Foulis & C. Ltd, 1963)
Three Centuries to Concorde, Charles Burnet (Mechanical Engineering Publications Ltd, 1979)
Ultralights - The Early British Classics, Richard Riding (Patrick Stephens Ltd, 1987)
Vapour Trails, Mike Lithgow (Allan Wingate, 1956)
Westland 50, J.W.R. Taylor, Maurice F. Allward (Ian Allan, 1965)
You could also add Penrose's Cloud Cuckooland and Airymouse.
Adventure with Fate, Harald Penrose, Airlife (1984)
The Aircraft of the World, William Green (Macdonald, 1965)
Aviation Archaeology, Bruce Robertson (Patrick Stephens Ltd, second edition 1983)
Aviation Landmarks, Jean Gardner (Battle of Britain Prints International 1990)
British Aircraft at War 1939-45, Gordon Swanborough (HPC Publishing, 1997)
British Aircraft Before The Great War, Michael H. Goodall, Albert E. Tagg (Schiffer Publishing Ltd, 2001)
British Aviation – Ominous Skies, Harald Penrose (HMSO, 1980)
British Aviation – The Adventuring Years, Harald Penrose (Putnam, 1973)
British Aviation – The Pioneer Years, Harald Penrose (Cassell Ltd, revised edition 1980)
British Aviation – Widening Horizons, Harald Penrose (HMSO, 1979)
British Civil Aircraft since 1919, A.J. Jackson (Putnam, 2nd edition, Vol. 1 1973, Vol. 2 1973, Vol. 3 1974)
British Homebuilt Aircraft since 1920, Ken Ellis (Merseyside Aviation Society, 2nd edition, 1979)
British Light Aeroplanes – Their Evolution, Development and Perfection 1920 – 1940, Arthur W.J.G. Ord-Hume (GMS Enterprises, 2000)
Dangerous Skies The, A.E. Clouston (Pan Books, 1956)
First Through the Clouds, F. Warren Merriam (B.T. Batsford Ltd, 1954)
The Flight of the Mew Gull, Alex Henshaw (John Murray, 1980)
The Forgotten Pilots, Lettice Curtis (Nelson Saunders, third edition, 1985)
History of British Aviation 1908-1914, R. Dallas Brett (Air Research Publications & Kristall Productions. Eightieth Anniversary Edition 1988)
I Kept No Diary, Air Cdre F.R. Banks (Airlife, 1978)
The Jet Aircraft of the World , William Green, Roy Cross (Macdonald, 1955)
Mach One, Mike Lithgow (Allan Wingate, 1954)
The Magic of a Name, Harold Nockholds (GT Foulis & Co. Ltd 1949)
The Marshall Story, Sir Arthur Marshall (Patrick Stephens Ltd, 1994)
Men with Wings, W/Cdr H.P. ‘Sandy’ Powell (Allan Wingate, 1957)
More Tails of the Fifties, Editor: Peter G. Campbell (Cirrus Associates (SW), 1998)
Not much of an Engineer, Sir Stanley Hooker (Airlife, 1984)
Pure Luck - The Authorized Biography of Sir Thomas Sopwith 1888-1989, Alan Bramson (Patrick Stephens Ltd, 1990)
The Quick and The Dead, W.A. Waterton (Frederick Muller Ltd, 1956)
Sent Flying, A.J. ‘Bill’ Pegg (Macdonald, 1959)
Sigh for a Merlin, Alex Henshaw, Crécy Publishing, 1999 reprint
Slide Rule, Nevil Shute (Readers Union, 1956)
The Spider Web, Sqn Ldr T.D. Hallam (Arms & Armour Press (reprint), 1979)
Spitfire - A Test Pilot’s Story, J.K. Quill (John Murray, 1983)
The Story of the British Light Aeroplane, Terence Boughton (John Murray, 1963)
Tails of the Fifties, Editor: Peter G. Campbell (Cirrus Associates (SW), 1997)
Test Pilot, Nevil Duke (Allan Wingate, 1953)
Test Pilots - The story of British Test Flying 1903-1984, Don Middleton (Willow Books, 1985)
Testing Time, Constance Babington Smith (Cassell & Co Ltd, 1961)
That Nothing Failed Them, Air Cdre A.H. Wheeler (G.T. Foulis & C. Ltd, 1963)
Three Centuries to Concorde, Charles Burnet (Mechanical Engineering Publications Ltd, 1979)
Ultralights - The Early British Classics, Richard Riding (Patrick Stephens Ltd, 1987)
Vapour Trails, Mike Lithgow (Allan Wingate, 1956)
Westland 50, J.W.R. Taylor, Maurice F. Allward (Ian Allan, 1965)
You could also add Penrose's Cloud Cuckooland and Airymouse.
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Every profession probably has its "bible", a book so respected that it stands alone and unchallenged. In the highly specialised field of aeronautics, pilots, engineers, aerodynamicists and technicians alike seem to think very highly indeed of "Handling the Big Jets" by D.P. Davies.
This was recommended to me a few years ago by a Welsh work colleague, who is a relative of the late David Davies, and I was able to acquire a mint copy of the third edition, reprinted in 1997. This has been a revelation, for the lucidity of its explanations of quite complex matters, and for sheer readability. The ability to write so clearly about the technical aspects of aviation is a gift, and this gentleman was blessed with it "in spades".
Subjective, I know, but I found Alex Henshaw's "Sigh for a Merlin" to be an engrossing masterwork on the immortal Spitfire, because he too had this gift. But sadly I found the books on the Spitfire by Jeffrey Quill, also a brilliant test pilot, to be heavy going and uninspiring - because for me, he lacked these same literary skills.
This was recommended to me a few years ago by a Welsh work colleague, who is a relative of the late David Davies, and I was able to acquire a mint copy of the third edition, reprinted in 1997. This has been a revelation, for the lucidity of its explanations of quite complex matters, and for sheer readability. The ability to write so clearly about the technical aspects of aviation is a gift, and this gentleman was blessed with it "in spades".
Subjective, I know, but I found Alex Henshaw's "Sigh for a Merlin" to be an engrossing masterwork on the immortal Spitfire, because he too had this gift. But sadly I found the books on the Spitfire by Jeffrey Quill, also a brilliant test pilot, to be heavy going and uninspiring - because for me, he lacked these same literary skills.
Similar discussion on the military pilots threads.
F4 Phantom by Robert Prest
F4 Phantom by Robert Prest
Good Aviation Books
Could not find the previous thread, hence a new one. I have just read Mike Brookes's book "Follow me Through". IMHO well written, interesting and for an old guy like me very nostalgic, especially reading names of guys I had all but forgotten. He has a new book out on test flying, which is on the way from that well known SA river. I am looking forward to it.
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I recently read "Jaguar boys" which I enjoyed, as I have the other similar books in the series.
Out of the blue and the new out of the blue too is a very easy and entertaining read, in a similar kind of theme.
Air crash: the clues in the wreckage and also Infamous aircraft are interesting books in the less rosey side of things.
Airborne by Neil Williams is a collection of short stories of his life in aviation.
Spitfire a test pilots story by Jeffery Quill is a classic and I enjoyed reading it back to back with Sigh for a Merlin by Henshaw because of the obvious link.
The BAe Systems books on test flying in Lancashire is a great set on the whole history of some legendary machines and men.
JG26 top guns of the Luftwaffe is interesting although it can be a little dry at times because of its chronological nature.
Luftwaffe test pilot by Lerche is an enjoyable read.
Stuka Pilot by Rudel just has to be read given the mans record in WW2.
Jump for it by Bowman has some superb tales in it and another must read.
Two helicopter books are also must reads - Chickenhawk and Low level hell are just relentless action and it beggars belief anyone who flew those sorties lived to tell any tale!
Dangerous Skies by AE Clouston shows how flying was done in the early days.
Out of the blue and the new out of the blue too is a very easy and entertaining read, in a similar kind of theme.
Air crash: the clues in the wreckage and also Infamous aircraft are interesting books in the less rosey side of things.
Airborne by Neil Williams is a collection of short stories of his life in aviation.
Spitfire a test pilots story by Jeffery Quill is a classic and I enjoyed reading it back to back with Sigh for a Merlin by Henshaw because of the obvious link.
The BAe Systems books on test flying in Lancashire is a great set on the whole history of some legendary machines and men.
JG26 top guns of the Luftwaffe is interesting although it can be a little dry at times because of its chronological nature.
Luftwaffe test pilot by Lerche is an enjoyable read.
Stuka Pilot by Rudel just has to be read given the mans record in WW2.
Jump for it by Bowman has some superb tales in it and another must read.
Two helicopter books are also must reads - Chickenhawk and Low level hell are just relentless action and it beggars belief anyone who flew those sorties lived to tell any tale!
Dangerous Skies by AE Clouston shows how flying was done in the early days.
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Pittsextra, I also read "Jaguar boys", as for me it is really captivating, but now I am searching another book to read, so will take to the account every answer, thank everyone for sharing!
Loud & Clear by Robert J. Serling....fascinating, terrifying and a wonderful historical reference to the challenges faced by the regulators, manufacturers, operators, crew and passengers of newly introduced 1950's and 1960 airliners
Spitfire Girl by Jackie Moggridge.
ISBN: 978-1781859896 (Also on Kindle: )
Previously called Woman Pilot and long out of print but now available very cheaply on Kindle under a revised name. The autobiography of one of the most prolific ATA pilots during the war including her battle to get a licence, a job with the ATA and employment after the war as a female pilot. Some insights into the basic nature of flying training and a bygone age, epic ferry flights and hair-raising incidents ending up with ferrying Spitfires to the far east. Jackie was, incidentally, the pilot who flew Carolyn Grace's Spitfire aircraft on its delivery flight.
ISBN: 978-1781859896 (Also on Kindle: )
Previously called Woman Pilot and long out of print but now available very cheaply on Kindle under a revised name. The autobiography of one of the most prolific ATA pilots during the war including her battle to get a licence, a job with the ATA and employment after the war as a female pilot. Some insights into the basic nature of flying training and a bygone age, epic ferry flights and hair-raising incidents ending up with ferrying Spitfires to the far east. Jackie was, incidentally, the pilot who flew Carolyn Grace's Spitfire aircraft on its delivery flight.
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Wander, this thread has probably cost me several hundred quid invested in hours of happy reading! And re-reading...
