People & Bottom Line

Videos

Great Planes MDC F-15 Eagle:

Hoyts Polygram/AVI Without doubt the world’s best air superiority fighter, the F-15’s origins are examined in this 55 minute tape which also takes into account the aircraft’s development right up to the present with the latest of the breed, the F-15E Strike Eagle. A worthwhile tape with some excellent footage of not only the Eagle but of other aircraft including the Valkyrie and numerous Soviet types.

RRP is $29. 95 and available by phone. from Hawker Pacific Skyshops on (008) 02 3446.

Solo Woman:

Hoyts Polygram//AVI This is the story of Gaby Kennard’s solo around the world flight that was really a battle against a time in her personal life when little seemed to be going right. It is not just a story of obvious aeronautical achievement to interest pilots, but a story of great interest to all women in general.

Aviation wise, adventures such as these tend to make one think in terms of doing something similar. While most of us will enjoy the luxury of our dreams for a few hours there will always be one or two gutsy adventurers who turn thoughts into deeds and decide to throw it all to the wind to accept head on life’s ultimate challenge. Kennard’s brave achievement was certainly a commendable effort in its own right but if it also serves to be the catalyst of similar endeavors then it will truly have been a most worthwhile venture. Well done Gaby.

RRP is $29. 95 and available by phone from Hawker Pacific Skyshops on (008) 02 3446.

Books

Flying Aerobatics:

R Bowring A rather attractive booklet aimed at pilots intent on developing a proficiency in the art of aerobatics.

Though really written as an introduction to what can be expected to be learnt during aerobatic training, this book is of value to aerobatic pilots at all levels. Each basic manoeuvre is discussed from first principles and each is enhanced by a series of basic, good quality illustrations. Manoeuvres covered include spins, loops, rolls, half roll off the top of a loop, stall turn, vertical roll and clover leaf. The book describes what happens to the aircraft and its pilot during these aerobatic manoeuvres and tells how to make manoeuvres more accurate and polished. One for any pilot interested in going that one step further to master the art of aeroba- tics and enjoy truly thrilling flight.

RRP is $23. 95. Available from Aviation Theory Centre on (03) 397 2011 and all Pilot Supply Shops.

 Dakota, Hercules and Caribou in Australian Service:

Stewart Wilson The RAAF’s combat aircraft may be the types which attract all the publicity, but the importance of the humble transport aircraft can never be understated.

Stewart Wilson’s fifth book in Aerospace Publications Australian Air Power’ series goes a long way towards redressing the balance, covering RAAF operations with its three transport types during and since World War II, the Dakota, Hercules and Caribou.

The book’s format is as per previous editions with discussion of the general service of the type, its procurement by Australia and its RAAF (and RAN) service. Some 250 illustrations (many in colour) support the comprehensive text and contained within the book’s 224 pages is the valuable listing and disposal data where applicable.

As is usually the case with Stewart Wilson’s books, much new information is brought to light (plans to build the Dakota under license by CAC, for example) and the chapters on Caribou operations in Vietnam and the C-130A Hercules disposal saga are of particular interest.

‘Dakota, Hercules and Caribou in Australian Service is available for $19. 95 (soft cover) or $29. 95 (hard cover) from Aerospace Publications, PO Box 3105, Weston Creek 2611.

Instrument Rating and Multi Engine Briefing Notes:

S Pearce This booklet, of 144 page A4 format, has been compiled to provide trainee instrument rating and/or multi engine pilots with a permanent reference to assist in the pre study and flight plan preparations for exercises done during training.

The booklet has been fully updated to comply with the latest amendments to the CAA’S CAR, CAO and DAP. It therefore will not leave the student reading information that is no longer relevant. A blank table has been provided near the front of the book to enable the reader to make a note of future amendments and the pages affected. The book itself has been well put together on quality paper and with a binding that will not leave you with a well used publication in pieces. Both the text and the accompanying diagrams are well set out and should be able to be understood by most IFR and multi engine students. As would be expected, all aspects have been covered and the reader should have no trouble referring to and understanding the relevant sections.

Available for $50 from Peter Bini Advanced Flight Training, PO Box 141. Cheltenham 3192.

A Few of the Few: Australians and the Battle of Britain:

Dennis Newton A comprehensive and timely history of Australian involvement in the Battle of Bri- tain, by the author of AA’s Australian War Diary series.

Although no RAAF fighter units fought in the Battle of Britain, Australian airmen were “sprinkled” through RAF Fighter Command, as well as in squadrons of other commands. Estimates for the number of Australian Battle of Britain fighter aircrew have long ranged between 21 and 29, but Dennis Newton has raised this figure to 37, 13 of whom were killed in action and one made POW.

Like his AA series, Newton has written a Few of the Few in diary format, extensively covering Australian involvement in the period of 1 July to 31 October 1940, though with more detail and background information. The book does not just cover the actions of Fighter Command personnel; the contribution made by Australians in Bomber and Coastal Commands and by ground personnel are recognised and add substantially to the text, as do the photographs, diagrams and maps, which are well chosen, of good quality and mostly unpublished.

This is not just another hashed up Battle of Britain story. This is an impeccably researched and very interesting history of Australian involvement in the 1940 air war. It is a must, filling as it does a long-neglected gap in Australian aviation and war history. RRP $49. 95. Available from the Australian War Memorial bookshop, GPO Box 345, Canberra 2601.