RAF Bombers at War 1939-1942. The Royal Air Force of 1939 went to war with five staple models of bomber: the Vickers Wellington, Armstrong Whitworth Whitley, Bristol Blenheim, Handley Page Hampden, and the Fairey Battle. This was against the threat of the Luftwaffe which had proven itself in Spain and had been used as a threat to secure Germany's diplomatic aims and was considered unstoppable. Plans were being laid by the RAF and Government bodies for larger, heavier, four-engined bombers such as the Short Stirling which could deliver heavier bomb loads over a further distance. From the lessons of the First World War, the RAF developed a fleet of modern monoplane aircraft with crews pitted against the German flying machine from day one, flying into storms of flak shells and swarms of Messerschmitt fighters in their flimsy, and often poorly armed, bombers. From countries as far apart as Norway, Burma, Java and France, the crews and their aircraft were at the front of every military operation without adequate fighter escorts and with poor equipment against stiff opposition. The book tells the story of the few who bravely went on 'one-way ticket' missions that saw operational life expectancy as only a matter of hours, doing so without hesitation or complaint. Chapters include Over the North Sea and Norway, France and Oil, Haddocks and Genoa, Desert Offensive, The Fall of Greece, Malaya and Burma. 238pp, 30 quality archive photos.

'A Photographer's View of British Aviation During the 1940s', these photographs were taken by E. G. Riding (1916-1950) who spent his entire working life in the aviation industry, but was tragically killed in a flying accident. He worked as an aircraft engineer, professional photographer, draughtsman and aero-modeller and as an aviation writer. He began taking photographs of aircraft in 1931 at the age of 15 and kept copious notes recording the locations and dates. He discovered the rapid transition from propellor-driven aircraft to first-generation jets and the early part covers his wartime work as an aircraft inspector with two major aircraft companies. Most of the photographs were taken surreptitiously. Once civil aviation returned in January 1946, Riding took many air-to-air photographs of light aircraft that made regular visits to Heathrow and Croydon to photograph the new generation of airliners. Three Farnborough Airshows are featured in addition to several race meetings and one featuring the latest piston and jet fighters. Hundreds of photos, 240 large pages.

With many previously unpublished photos, this is the firsthand account of the man who was tasked to drop a nuclear bomb on Leningrad. Goodall entered the RAF in March 1949 to complete his National Service and was selected to be trained as a pilot at the RAF College and in 1953 started training to fly jet aircraft, the Meteor and Canberra. In 1954 he joined 90 Squadron flying the Canberra at RAF Marham, was trained to fly the Valient and joined the first 'V' Bomber Squadron as a co-pilot. Deployed to Malta, they bombed Egypt in the Suez War, and he was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air in 1959. In 1967 he commanded 27 Squadron flying the Vulcan Mk 2 equipped with Blue Steel nuclear missile and kept on alert as part of QRA. In 1972 he was posted to the HQ of Strike Command for responsibility for producing the RAF's nuclear war plans. In August 1945 the world changed forever with the release of two atomic bombs in Japan it was decided that Britain would produce its own bombs, and the result was the development of the 'V' bombers Valliant, Vulcan, and Victor. In reaction to the deteriorating relationship with Russia, the US, as part of NATO, cooperated with the UK in nuclear operational planning with US bomber aircraft being based at several RAF stations. Later as a result of the development of nuclear power, submarines were fitted with nuclear weapons. This book is unique in that it is a human story, not just a list of technical facts and bomber data. 192pp, colour.

The Lower Thames Estuary has many picturesque rivers that feed it and the author loves to stop awhile and ponder, drift into shallow anchorages for a night or two and investigate the local shores. 'Pleasant moments are spent pottering through the Saltings on miniature voyages of discovery in a little gunter-rigged tender... away from man's hard edges, terrain that was once dry land is luxuriant with salt tolerant plant life...' Pure salt water courses through Nick Ardley's veins. He was brought up on a Thames spritsail barge - the ones with the deep red sails which glide by still today. He sailed the high seas on ocean going ships and with his mate beside him, he has weaved his way through the Thames Estuary's tidal creeks and rivers for many years, mostly aboard his clinker sloop. The Estuary is an artery of modern commerce, but the remaining vestiges of past industry pepper its rivers and creeks. Flooded islands have become the domain of myriad birds, nesting on hummocks of saltings and feeding on mudflats. There are rotting wharves festooned with bladderwrack alive with life, the time-worn ribs of barges the perch for cormorants. Around all of that, man has created new uses for disused lime, cement and brick docks. Boatyards, marinas and waterside housing has emerged from the industrial ashes. Beneath his boat's swinging lamp, the author muses about old souls, shoal draft yachts with great enthusiasm for the environment in this little corner of England. 76 colour photos plus archive photos and maps. 191 page large softback.

Zeppelin! The word conjures images to the mind of a graceful airship with a deadly intent. The author was a Zeppelin commander during the First World War, bombing England on numerous occasions, and even met some of the supreme German commanders such as General Erich Ludendorss. He was well acquainted with Count Zeppelin and all the designers and management of the Zeppelin Company. He had ever increasing faith in its success on international routes and it is sadly ironic that this talented man should die in Hindenburg shortly after he had produced the draft for this book. He died following the fire that destroyed the Hindenburg on 6th May 1937, surviving the fire but badly burned, still discussing the future of airships and battled over the possibility of any natural phenomena causing the loss of the airship. He died the following day. After the war he had worked under Hugo Eckener who took over the management following Count Zeppelin's death in 1917. He was closely involved in the voyages of the Graf Zeppelin, including the famous round the world voyage, and pioneered services to the United States and the regular service to South America. Lehmann makes his Nazi sympathies quite clear, but tactfully does not touch upon his differences with Hugo Eckener regarding the use of the warships for Nazi electioneering. Nor does he touch upon Göring's manoeuvring which broke up the Zeppelin Company, thereby leaving Eckener as an outsider. Lehmann believes in the superiority of German engineering, and beyond that the superiority of everything German. He served as Commanding Officer on more than 100 of the flights between 1928 and 1936 and Captain Lehmann was named Director of the new airline in 1935. In 1936 he commanded ten round-trip flights to Lakehurst on the new Hindenburg. An amazing discovery of his book draft, now in 352 fine heavyweight pages, fully illustrated throughout.

Reconstruct the iconic 1964 Land Rover Series IIA Short Wheel base showing every bit of weathering and patina that comes with over 50 years of thumping around the British countryside, including fording rivers. Rusty, worn, with red vents, open top roof, registration number AKM100B, original cheeky headlights and worn metal bumper and exciting grille, the puzzle is a real adventure to enjoy. You will hear every clank, knock and bang, so be gentle! With mini poster 8 x 6" for reference and framing, puzzle size when finished 23 x 19". Boxed.

In jolly lime green with huge black tractor tyres with red wheels, the dumper truck has a lime green scooper and cab and comprises 22 pieces and the truck has a three sided brown fence-style and is the second model of 16 pieces. From the ever popular Construct It DIY mechanical kit series, this one is for ages three and up to encourage shape and colour recognition, coordination and creative construction. Or for big kids who've always wanted their own truck! CE safety approved and in handy storage carry case.

Sub-titled 'Henry Ford, George Selden, and the Race to Invent the Auto Age', from the acclaimed author of Birdmen comes a revelatory new history of the birth of the automobile, a true tale of invention, competition, visionaries, hustlers and swindlers who came together to transform the world. In 1900, the Automobile Club of America sponsored the nation's first car show in New York's Madison Square Garden. The event was a spectacular success, attracting 70 exhibitors and nearly 50,000 visitors. Among the spectators was an obscure would-be automaker named Henry Ford, who walked the floor speaking with designers and engineers, trying to gauge public enthusiasm for what was then a revolutionary invention. He concluded that the car was going to be a fixture of American society, both in the city and on the farm, and one that would make some people very rich. The book is the most complete account to date of the wild early days and how the internal combustion engine evolved into an innovation that would change history. There are men with names like Benz, Peugeot, Renault and Daimler who were building and marketing the world's first cars and Goldstone breaths life into this extraordinary cast of characters and the financiers who risked everything for their visions. Here too are visionary lawyers like George Seldon who fought for and won the first patent for the gasoline-powered automobile. The race was on. 372pp, photos. Remainder mark.

Now in its final resting place at the bottom of the Potomac River in Maryland, the U-boat U-1105 is unique among German World War Two submarines. Technologically innovative, it was the only U-boat to conduct a wartime patrol while equipped with the snorkel, GHG Balkon passive sonar, and a rubberised coating known as Alberich designed to reduce its acoustic signature and hide from Allied sonar. Known as the Black Panther, one key development was the airmast (snorkel), allowing it to regain air and charge its batteries without ever having to surface. After the end of the war, it was the single most tested U-boat by the Western Allies and the last U-boat to sail across the North Atlantic under its own power during the winter of 1945-46. Highly illustrated with many new and previously unpublished pictures, this complete history includes its 'rediscovery' in the 1980s, technical detail on each of its late-war innovations, and a full colour underwater guide to all the key features of the wreck site. Each is individually captioned whether it is the top of the sky periscope mount with fishing line caught on it, or the gun mounts. Colour and black and white, 136pp, 24.7 x 26.2cm.

From classic to custom, all models are covered in this comprehensive and chronological catalogue of the most significant Harley motorcycles that have been produced, from 1906 Silent Gray Fellow to the style machines of the early 20th century. Every machine is illustrated with photographs that show each to perfection, together with text detailing the technical specifications, key design elements, engineering standards, notable attributes and particular history of each model. Special features include the history of the development of the V-twin engine, its racing history, riders, and significant roles in various eras including two world wars. In 1903 the two friends William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson got together in a small Milwaukee basement with motorcycling in mind and three years later with the added help of two other Davidson brothers, the first true Harley Davidson motorcycle was born. It was to become the stuff of myths and legends and a true American icon for generations of thrill seekers. With their low pedals or feet forward, they have also been used in drag racing and by the legendary Evel Knievel. Here are the singles, lightweights, first twins, sportsters, soft tails, low riders and dynas, glides, buell racers and more. Glossary and model codes, approximately 400 colour images on glossy quality white paper and very large size for this magnificent collectable tome.
Click YouTube icon to see this book come to life on video.