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Book Description
Alex Henshaw spent the early days of World War II at Eastleigh, England, testing the immortal Spitfire fighter with Jeffrey Quill before being appointed Chief Test Pilot at Supermarine's new factory in Castle Bromwich. Thousands of Spitfires were tested and manufactured at this site throughout the war, by the end of which 37,000 test flights had been made with Alex Henshaw flying an estimated ten per cent of all Spitfires ever built. Often landing without aids of any kind, his breathtaking aerobatic style and complete mastery of the aircraft were to save his life on several occasions.
I scrawled rapidly on my pad, 'Baling out - engine seizure - suspect piston conrod.' I had barely finished my scrawl when the machine shook so much that I tore my safety harness pin, pulled down my goggles to protect my eyes from oil, glycol and debris, snapped back the cockpit hood and with all my strength kicked away from the cockpit
Royalties from the sale of this edition will be donated to the RAF Benevolent Fund
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First Sentence
I suppose every man beyond a certain age, when there is time for reflection over the past, is able to say 'That was the happiest or the greatest or the most memorable year of my life.' Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
I suppose every man beyond a certain age, when there is time for reflection over the past, is able to say 'That was the happiest or the greatest or the most memorable year of my life.' Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A candid account of Alex Henshaw's leadership of the Castle Bromwich flight test pilots. Written transparently. The heroism of the test pilots, the remarkable quest for quality in the Spitfire, the aggressive sense of urgency in delivering both Spitfires and Lancasters for the defeat of Hitler and his perverted science, all are the more apparent upon reflection after having read this book. We are left to make our own deductions, and those deductions leave us with an abiding respect.
This account rings true. The lessons learned and the characters met are being learned and met today. A thoroughly enjoyable book to read, and one that will repay study.
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book should be read by all Spitfire lovers.This book can only be described as an enthralling account not of one test pilot but all.This man made one of the best contributions any single person could have made between the years of 1940-1945 to that of Spitfire Aviation. With a total of 37000 test flights and every one could have so easily have been his last. His product knowledge shines through as the sun shines through the clouds, and his acrobatic style and ease of which he flew these birds of the sky, saved his life on many occasions. Many people have said " The book I am reading at the moment is so good I just don't want to put it down", being a local man not two mile away from the Airfield I must agree. The man's precence can be felt around you as you are reading, you fly as he flies, panic as he does at the thought of a crash landing and share the sheer power of the plane. BUY IT ! You will not put it down.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What a wonderful book this is.
Alex Henshaw's story makes fascinating reading as he not only portrays first-hand what it meant to test fly one of the most wonderful aircraft of all time, but weaves through the story what living and working were like in war time England.
He was clearly a most outstandingly capable pilot and a sound leader of men, able to command the complete respect and dedication from his team of equally gifted flyers.
One cannot read this book without gaining the greatest admiration for efforts of the British aircraft industry during WWII and especially for two of its best prodigy, the Spitfire and Lancaster.
Henshaw outlines his feelings on just how finely balanced the outcome of the War was in those early years and his own attitude his work in those dark days deserves the highest commendation.
This book is a must for anyone interested in the development of the mighty Spitfire and its special place in the history of the Second World War.
Alex Henshaw's story makes fascinating reading as he not only portrays first-hand what it meant to test fly one of the most wonderful aircraft of all time, but weaves through the story what living and working were like in war time England.
He was clearly a most outstandingly capable pilot and a sound leader of men, able to command the complete respect and dedication from his team of equally gifted flyers.
One cannot read this book without gaining the greatest admiration for efforts of the British aircraft industry during WWII and especially for two of its best prodigy, the Spitfire and Lancaster.
Henshaw outlines his feelings on just how finely balanced the outcome of the War was in those early years and his own attitude his work in those dark days deserves the highest commendation.
This book is a must for anyone interested in the development of the mighty Spitfire and its special place in the history of the Second World War.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
sigh for a Merlin
Good content, beautifully presented, thought was told very clearly and succinctly. Held the interest totally. Read more
Published 4 months ago by budgie11
A must read for any WW2 airforce fan
If you have not heard about the life of Alex Henshaw then this is the book to read - Chief test pilot of the Spitfire. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mr. R. J. Overton
Spot on target.
I received the book promptly and in excellent condition.
It was a Christmas present for my son and he was delighted with it.
It was a Christmas present for my son and he was delighted with it.
Published 17 months ago by Etruria
The real Spitfire Story
Its an over used word these days but Mr Henshaw was (and always will be in my mind) a true legend.
I had the honour of meeting him a few months before his death and was amazed... Read more
I had the honour of meeting him a few months before his death and was amazed... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mr. Jason Gill
A Great Man
A wonderful book and a must for anyone with an interest in aviation, past or present. There is no doubt that Alex Henshaw was in love with flying and in that relationship the... Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2010 by Les Pringle
Sigh for a Merlin
Alex Henshaw was a gifted and brilliant pilot of his time. If you have a soft spot for Spitfire's, Lancaster's amongst many other fantastic aircraft of the era then this book will... Read more
Published on 15 Nov 2009 by James Curnock
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