Books, Video Reviews People & Bottom Line

Bottom Line

Air Pacific has posted a before abnormals and tax profit of $F12.2m ($A12.38m) for the year ended March 31 1995, more than double the $F5.2m operating profit for the previous year. Profit after tax was $F8.2m ($A8.3m), while total revenue was $F233.9m ($A236.3m), a 10.4% increase.

Aero Modelling Digest 1994

Edited by Merv Buckmaster. The ‘raison d’etre’ of this book is well defined by the statement on its opening page. It is “a further collection of articles by Australian and New Zealand aeromodellers, compiled to record material that has not been published previously, to display the talents of the authors, to promulgate knowledge of model aeronautics and to provide enjoyment for aeromodellers.” The 1994 digest features 19 in-depth articles of different aspects of remote control aircraft models including safety, control line flying, indoor flying, history, new advances in technologies and many more. As such Aero Modelling Digest 1994 represents a wealth of reading material for aero modellers that should make it a valuable reference work. For purchase details please refer advert on page 67 of this issue.

No Flying Without Wings

Colin Bayliss. This book documents the personal experiences of the author, a retired GP and rheumatologist, who enlisted in the RAAF during WW2. When a clerk with the Commonwealth Bank in Perth, Colin enlisted in the RAAF at the age of 19 in 1941. He was selected for training as a pilot as part of the Empire Air Training Scheme, learning to fly before he had even learned to drive. Training on Tiger Moths, Ansons and Oxfords, Colin converted to Wellington bombers, on which he flew his first operational missions, before transitioning to Lancasters. Subsequently shot down over north-eastern France, from then on, most of Colin’s war was spent in captivity. Initially he was able to evade capture and was helped by a willing French family, however he was later arrested and threatened with execution as a spy. Through to 1945 he was held as a POW in a variety of German prison camps, before being marched with hundreds of other POWs more than 800km across Germany and Czechoslovakia, before meeting up with the advancing US Army. As well as an account of Colin’s personal experiences, No Flying Without Wings is a telling look at the experiences of war and its effects on the people involved in it, and as such makes very interesting reading. No Flying Without Wings is available from the Arthritis Foundation of WA, 17 Lemnos St, Shenton Park WA 6008, ph (09) 388 2199 for $19.95, including postage. Proceeds from the sale of the book go to aid the Arthritis Foundation of WA.

Wildcat Aces Of Www2

Barrett Tillman. The third in Osprey’s Aircraft of the Aces series deals with the pilots of one of WW2’s lesser known fighters, Grumman’s F4F Wildcat. The Wildcat, along with lesser numbers of Brewster Buffalos, formed the backbone of the US Navy’s fighter force at the beginning of WW2, and bore the brunt of the USN’s early combat operations with Japan. While early losses were high, the Wildcat soon proved itself to be an effective fighter, participating in a number of important battles, such as Coral Sea and Midway, and furnishing the Navy with its first fighter aces. (In fact the first pilot to become an ace shot down five aircraft in one mission.) While the Wildcat was outclassed by the Japanese Zero and lacking in payload and range, it was available when needed, and when replaced by more potent Hellcats and Corsairs, continued in service with the smaller escort carriers (both in the Pacific and Atlantic) and with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm. Wildcat Aces of WW2 follows the successful formula set in the earlier volumes in this series, and features reviews of the aircraft participation in the major Pacific theatre battles, interviews with surviving Wildcat aces, pilot profiles, a chapter on FAA operations and over 40 full colour line view drawing of Wildcat aces’ aircraft. The new Australian distributor for Osprey Books is JB Wholesalers, 1/15 Zeta Cres, O’Connor WA 6163. The Aircraft of the Aces series retails for $29.95.

Highest Traditions: The History Of 2 Squadron Raaf

John Bennett. This book is probably the best history of an RAAF unit that this reviewer has seen. Thoroughly researched and well presented, the hardcover Highest Traditions tells the distinguished story of 2 Squadron’s operations in over 400 pages. The story of 2 Squadron dates back to WW1 when it formed in Egypt as part of the fledgling Australian Flying Corps. The unit went on to serve as a fighter squadron equipped with DH.5 and SE-5A fighters on the western front. In WW2, 2 Squadron flew Hudsons (going into action against the Japanese the day after Pearl Harbour), Beauforts and Mitchells. Postwar, the Squadron served operationally in Malaya with Lincolns and in Vietnam with Canberras, before being disbanded in 1982. Highest Traditions is probably the definitive history of 2 Squadron. Its well written text is backed up by many rare and unusual photos of the unit’s aircraft and personnel (including some excellent Vietnam colour photos). Comprehensive appendices list among others the Squadron’s battle honours, its honour rolls, awards, and details of each aircraft operated. Author Squadron Leader John Bennett is also well credentialled to write the unit’s history, John is a serving RAAF navigator, and flew a tour with 2 Squadron in Vietnam and later rejoined the unit when it operated in a photo survey role. John is also the author of AA’s popular Aircraft of the ADF series. Highest Traditions is available from AGPS bookshops Australia wide, or phone 1800 020 049 (Canberra customers call 295 4861), fax (06) 295 4888, or by writing to AGPS Mail Order Sales, GPO Box 84, Canberra 2601. Cost is $49.95.

Mighty Hercules – The First Four Decades

Lindsay Peacock. As its name suggests, this book documents the four decade long history of the immortal C-130 Hercules, which flew for the first time in 1954. Mighty Hercules is an in-depth account of the Hercules’ history, starting with its background and development, its operational and war service, different developments and models, accounts of aircrews’ experiences, its civil use, its export worldwide, RAF service and the future C-130J Hercules II. Available from the RAF Benevolent Fund Enterprises Publishing, Building 15, RAF Fairford, Glos GL7 4DL, UK, for £17.95 including seamail postage. Visa, Mastercard and international money orders accepted.

Videos

The Story Of The Hurricane

Network Entertainment. Few aircraft have as an important place in history as Hawker’s Hurricane. Not only did it bear the brunt of the Luftwaffe’s assault during the Battle of Britain, it also provided stiff resistance during the Battle of France, and later fought in Northern Africa where a 12 machine gun variant proved particularly successful in the anti armour role. The Story of the Hurricane is as its title suggests, and looks at how the Hurricane was born, its evolution through progressively improved versions and its service history. The video contains combat camera footage of the destruction of Dornier Do 17s (the Do 17 was the first German fighter to be shot down by the RAF in WW2 – by a Hurricane), much wartime footage, and colour film of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s airworthy example (the last Hurricane ever built) doing its airshow routine. The Story of the Hurricane is available from Aviation Collectibles Downunder, PO Box 444, Mundaring 6032, ph freecall 1800 623 044 (intl ph 61 9295 6026), fax (09) 295 1105 for $33.90.