People, Bottom Line, Video & Book Reviews

In addition to the bombers, RAF Spitfire and USAAF P-47 escorts are organised though tragically they can only shepherd the bombers for a relatively small portion of their hazardous journey. You then follow the crews from their pre dawn wakeup to a breakfast that for some will be their last, onto mission briefing and aircraft preparation.

One of the most amazing aspects of these complex operations was the actual establishment of formations of aircraft to make a flight, a unit, a squadron, a wing and then an entire air group as they too formed with their equivalents from the dozens of air bases throughout southern England in the dark days of 1943.

The assembled armada then departs the relative safety of British airspace on their long and perilous journey into the very heart of the Third Reich. Feinting raids are flown to confuse the large and ever capable German fighter force while Marauders attack Luftwaffe air bases in the low countries and through northern France to disrupt fighter operations against the transiting heavy bombers. Excellent combat footage visually depicts the entire mission with the mission results being analysed via recce bird footage taken just hours after the raids.

Certainly the gargantuan effort that was invested in these raids, and those of the RAF by night, is something that will never again be repeated. It is good to think that tapes like these will through modern VCR technology survive to make future generations aware of the sacrifices that these young men made in the prime of the lives in the name of the freedom we enjoy today.

The second offering is a 12 minute effort depicting USAAF air operations through 1942 and 43. Though short, the tape is interesting in that it covers perhaps a most turbulent period when the allies truly had their backs to the wall, particularly in North Africa and the Pacific.

Available in VHS from Australian Aviation, PO Box 3105, Weston Creek, ACT, 2611 for just $29. 95 plus $5. 50 p&p. Phone orders can be taken on (06) 288 1677 or by fax on (06) 288 2021.

Historic Airpower- Vol 4:

AVI Three very interesting items on this 75 minute tape.

“Report From The Aleutians’ is John Huston’s famous documentary on what is appropriately often referred to as the ‘forgotten war in the Aleutians. This theatre was rivalled by only Russia for the severity of the winter and the cruelty of the elements. Constant rain, freezing conditions made worse by around the clock gale force winds, mud and a remoteness from almost anywhere (except the enemy) was enough to make the Aleutians the theatre to avoid. Despite this the US forces fought long and hard against a very determined Japanese enemy who had gained a toehold on the important archipelago at Kiska.

Footage includes some very interesting shots of both B-17s and B-24s flying low level bombing missions with P-38 and Airacobra escorts. Very unusual indeed. Also interesting was that due to the extreme conditions, both on the ground and in the air, most missions were flown with just a few dozen aircraft often involving up to four different types. Somewhat different to the massive aerial onslaughts normally associated with these heavy bombers.

When watching this tape the reviewer was also interested to note the haunting physical similarity to another group of islands that was a scene of conflict nearly a half century later at the other end of the globe, namely the Falklands. Visually, Adak in 1942 could easily have been San Carlos Water some forty years later.

The second tape is entitled ‘Angel In Overalls’ and deals not with Rosie the Riveter but rather the Lockheed P-38 Lightning. Whilst the Mustang got most of the accolades for being the long legged fighter supremo of WW2 it must also be remembered that the Lightning exhibited a similar payload radius and was just as widely used with of course the extra insurance of a second engine. A shortish video but one filled with some interesting footage of both the Lightning and the bombers it escorted.

‘Ceiling Unlimited” is the third offering, this tape dealing with the vast aeronautical research facilities at Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio. This unit was responsible for the majority of technological improvements before and during WW2 prior to the development of Edwards AFB and NASA. Some of the footage of prototype aircraft flight testing is cer- tainly of extreme interest. A very worthwhile though short film as it brings home to the viewer the enormous task required in developing not only new weapons and systems but also operational procedures which will see them employed in a safe and effective manner at squadron level.

Available in VHS from Australian Aviation, PO Box 3105, Weston Creek, ACT, 2611 for only $29. 95 plus $5. 50 p&p. Phone orders on (06) 288 1677 or by fax on (06) 288 2021.

Curtiss Kittyhawk:

Jeff Watson This 45 minute tape is of particular interest to Australians as it revolves around not only the most important RAAF fighter of WW2 but also Australia’s only flyable example of the type.

Though hardly state of the art, even in 1942, the dependable P-40 was all we had and just as it did for air forces around the world, our Kittyhawks performed deeds far beyond its designer’s intentions. Operated throughout almost every theatre, from northern Australia to the frigid wastes of Arc-ic Russia, from North Africa to the Aleutians, the P-40 was a dependable and stable gun platform that more than proved its worth.

Australia’s Kittyhawk, owned and operated by Col Pay, was actually retrieved from beneath a dam wall in Canada, having been unceremoniously buried there as worthless scrap a generation ago. Today, Col’s resplendent aircraft tops off his personal air force exemplifying the very best of the RAAF dur- ing the forties. The story of the type’s development with much archival film material of RAAF P-40 operations in the Pacific and North Africa is a highlight of the tape in addition to the colour footage of Col’s aircraft flying high above its picturesque base at Scone, NSW.

An enjoyable tape with an added bonus of some interesting (and very authentic) background music of the era. Available for $29. 95 plus $3. 00 p&p from Jeff Watson, PO Box 929, Artarmon, 2064. (02) 979 7067.

Books

Be a Better Pilot: Making the Right Decisions:

Paul A Craig Another book in the TAB Practical Flying Series which is essentially aimed at the American market.

However, despite the fact that a good third of the book covers air traffic and flight planning peculiar to the US system, there is sufficient in it to make it of interest to Australian readers. The opening chapter analyses the reasons why people fly, essentially, what makes the pilot personality. It also discusses the “dark side” of that personality, which can lead to trouble in decision making. Worth reading for that alone.

The book then routinely takes the reader through chapters covering the development of airmanship, information gathering skills, preflight discipline, and making navigation decisions. There is also an interesting chapter on risk management including how to handle the stress imposed. The next two chapters are peculiar to the USA covering flight planning and flight details VFR and IFR within the American system. The chapter on handling emergencies is clear and concise and worth reading as a refresher even for the old hand.

In summary, if you’re an aviation buff this would be a worthwhile addition to your library. Available from good book stores for $26. 95.

Douglas DC-3:

Henry M Holden In this book the development and history of the worlds most important transport aircraft is explored, dealing primarily with its civilian career.

The book describes the early history of the Douglas company, the DC-3’s evolution, its forebears, the DC-1 and DC-2, the aircraft’s prewar development and its enthusiastic acceptance by the worlds airlines. The book then looks at the extremely important role the DC-3 played in post war airline service and how it continues to operate today. Well illustrated, this publication features pictures of the aircraft in many airline liveries and variants, including the Basler turboprop conver- sion, as well as amazing photographs of badly damaged aircraft which have been able to land safely, testament to its durability. Available for $28. 95 RRP from leading booksellers.

 Boeing 747:

David Minton This book chronicles in 114 pages the inception, development and service life of one of the worlds best loved airliners, the Boeing 747.

Looking at all aspects of the aircraft, the book covers its airline and military service, history and development, configurations, special variants and newsworthy events, such as the numerous hijackings and record setting flights. Also included are model reviews of 747 kits and a comprehensive appendix listing the world’s 747 fleet at the time of writing. Available for $18. 95 RRP from leading booksellers.