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Description
Characteristics
| Book cover finish | Hardcover ( rounded spine binding ) |
| Special features | Slightly damaged dust jacket |
| Condition | Used good |
| Number of pages | 210 |
| Published date |
First published 1979 Reprinted 1979 |
| Languages | English |
| Size | 15.19 x 23.19 x 1.8 cm |
| Author | Alex Henshaw |
| Editor | The Camelot Press Ltd |
Description
When war broke out in 1939 Alex Henshaw was determined that his peacetime flying skills should be put to the best possible use.
An idyllic period testing Spitfires and Walrus amphibians from Southampton Water was rudely shattered by the bombing of the Supermarine works in September 1940.
With dispersal of aircraft production, Alex was appointed Chief Test Pilot at Castle Bromwich, the giant Spitfire shadow factory on the outskirts of Birmingham.
The Midlands produces some of the most appalling conditions for flying imaginable, yet under his leadership the flying programme continued from dawn to dusk in practically all weathers and by the end of the war over 37,000 test flights had been made, and more than 12,000 aircraft delivered.
Alex loved the Spitfire in all its many versions and he was often called upon to demonstrate its flying characteristics. He developed an acrobatic style that was breathtaking in its precise inverted flying and rolls at low levels.
His complete mastery of the aircraft saved his life on several occasions for the production Spitfires went through a period of abrupt ignition and propeller failures that came when totally unexpected.
It was a matter of pride to get the Spitfire back on the ground so that the machine would not be lost to the war effort, but sometimes only fragments were left.
Alex’s story, long awaited by flying people, is a blend of superb flying descriptions, moments of deep tragedy, a ding-dong battle to overcome inertia and inefficiency, and irrepressible high spirits.
There is no doubt that the job of Chief Pilot at Castle Bromwich was one of exceptional difficulty and challenge. It was fortunate for us all that Alex was there to do it.
I know of no other pilot who could have handled it as he did, nor who could have set such a standard for his subordinate pilots to follow. It was a case of leadership for example if ever there was one. I refer, of course, to the formidable task of flight testing such a huge output of aircraft in abominable weather and with no ‘aids’ TO BACK FLAP
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