People, Bottom Line, Video & Book Reviews

It is hard to describe the quality and professionalism of the Great Planes series of videos without abusing tired cliches and repeating oneself too often. However, this production, like all others in the series is of a very high standard, is well put together and features fantastic historical footage. This Constellation video follows the suc- cessful formula of the other films in the series and fully outlines the historical con- text within which the Constellation was devised, designed and built, its record breaking transcontinental flight at fighter speeds, controversial use by the USAAF during the war and post war service as the world’s premier long range piston engined airliner.

The film goes into a great deal of detail explaining the numerous civil variants, ranging from slightly redesigned Constellations to the more powerful longer ranging Super Constellation and the types ultimate development, the Starliner. The lesser known military C-69 transports and RC and EC-131 airborne radar pickets and first generation early warning and control aircraft are also explained, including the type’s role in the Vietnam conflict.

This film features excellent historical footage, and of particular interest is the high quality tape of a Qantas Constellation being finished at the Lockheed production plant.

Available in VHS from Aerospace Publications, PO Box 3105, Weston Creek, ACT 2611 for just $29. 95 plus $5. 00 p&p. Phone orders on (06) 288 1677 or by fax on (06) 288 2021.

 Watson Veterans Return:

Jeff This 30 minute video is a tribute to the small number of Australian pilots who took part in the Battle of Britain.

During 1991 a small group of Australian veterans returned to England for the fiftieth anniversary of the Battle and it is around this trip that the film is based. The small group reminisce and retell stories of the Battle as they visit historical museums, watch a flying display of Spitfires and Hurricanes and take part in memorial services and the major parade. As the film unfolds their stories are revealed and the times are relived in an informative and enjoyable special video.

Available for $24. 95 including p&p from Jeff Watson Productions, PO Box 929, Artarmon 2064, phone and fax (02) 979 7067.

The future of the Boeing company was gambled on the success of the massive 747. The Great Planes video profile outlines fully the challenges faced with the monumental task of designing and building the 747.

 Great Planes – Boeing 747:

AVI The incredible story of the massive hurdles faced with the design, and develop-ment of the Boeing model 747 is one of the most incredible in the history of aviation, and such a fantastic story needs an exceptionally produced video to give it’s story justice. Such is the case with this video.

The idea of a jumbo sized passenger transport was given fresh impetus by a USAF competition which eventually gave birth to the C-5 Galaxy and despite Boeing’s long history of successfully building large aircraft, the company was unable to secure the USAF contract. In spite of this, or maybe even because of it, Boeing, urged on by PanAm’s Juan Trippe, went on to develop the world’s largest passenger aircraft. This monumental task, including the construction of a factory large enough (the largest building in the world in terms of volume) to build the aircraft, a massive undertaking in itself is fully explored in this Great Planes profile, giving the viewer a better appreciation of the size and com- plexity of the massive task of building and designing the 747. Available in VHS from Aerospace Publications, PO Box 3105, Weston Creek, ACT 2611 for just $29. 95 plus $5. 00 p&p. Phone orders on (06) 288 1677 or by fax on (06) 288 2021.

Books Anson Hudson & Sunderland in Australian Service:

by Stewart Wilson. The ninth in Stewart Wilson’s popular ‘Australian Airpower’ series examines the RAAF careers of three aircraft developed for maritime reconnaissance roles but in the case of one, one-the Avro Anson, finding a niche as a trainer during WW2.

As the most numerous aircraft ever to fly with the RAAF (1028 examples), the Anson holds a special place in the service’s his- tory. The book goes into the Anson’s prewar and wartime service in some detail, discusses little known local production plans and other aspects of the well loved aircraft’s career.

The Hudson provided the RAAF with its only viable strike capability in the early days of the war against Japan and two RAAF Hudson squadrons were involved in the ill-fated defence of Malaya and Singapore from December 1941. These heroic but futile actions are described in the book, along with those associated with the defence of New Guinea and in the Nether-lands East Indies area.

Perhaps the most surprising section of the book is that dealing with the Sunderland. Apart from five examples operated as transports by No 40 Squadron in Australia and New Guinea late in the war, RAAF service was exclusively in Europe with Nos 10 and 461 Squadrons.

Sunderlands were heavily involved against German U boats in the Battle of the Atlantic and in the Bay of Biscay and these interesting operations are comprehensively discussed. Surprising was the amount of influence the two RAAF units had on British Sunderland operations generally, particularly by way of the development of defensive armament for the Sunderland and that of powerplants. For instance, it was No 10 Squadron which was responsible for the idea of replacing the Sunderland’s hard pressed Bristol Pegasus engines with Pratt and Whitney Twin Wasps, the standard production powerplant of later models.

The text is supported by numerous tables, drawings and 250 photographs, all combining to produce an RAAF service history of three important aircraft which have perhaps not received the recognition they deserve.

Soft cover editions $24. 90 and hard cover $34. 90 including postage. Available from Aerospace Publications, PO Box 3105, Weston Creek ACT 2611, phone (06) 288 1677, fax (06) 288 2021. This book will also be available ‘hot off the press’ at special airshow prices direct from the AA stand in Flyers World at Avalon, don’t forget to come and see us.