Epics of Aviation Archaeology

Aviation archaeology is one of the fastest growing pastimes today, and in this book, Bruce Robertson, the well-known expert on aviation matters, has assembled a fascinating collection of epic 'case histories'.
More aircraft came down in Holland during World War 2 than anywhere else, and Gerrie Zwanenburg, the Dutch Identification and Salvage Officer, gives a detailed account of their amazing recovery operations. But digging up aircraft is only one aspect of aviation archaeology. Keeping veteran aeroplanes in the air is just as important, and Susan Saggers tells of her work restoring and flying old aircraft.
Roger Freeman is a celebrated name in aviation circles, and here he describes the remarkable story of a Liberator he actually saw crash, witnessed it being excavated years afterwards, and then contacted the pilot by chance in America! However, not all aircraft are recovered from 'digs'. Norman Ratcliff explains how he salvaged a Southampton hull that was doubling as a houseboat, and Bruce Robertson gives an account of the RAF Museum's Sunderland restoration.
Peter Cornwall, Deputy Director of the Battle of Britain Museum, Chilham, describes an epic dogfight in 1940 and how this led to the discovery of a crashed Bf 109 in a Kent orchard, while D. J. Smith shows how bits and pieces of old aircraft have been adapted for the most remarkable roles — from hen houses to garden cloches. However, undoubtedly the most famous salvage operation was the recovery of a Halifax from a Norwegian fjord, .and Peter Cornish, who took part in the expedition, shows how it was done.
The war wrecks of the South-West Pacific are remote indeed, but Bruce Adams persevered, and here he describes and illustrates his exciting exploits. From South Africa comes Dave Becker's story of the building of a Spitfire — and getting it into the air. Closer to home, there is a study of old American airfields in eastern England by Christopher Elliott, a history of the airfields and monuments to be found on the Kent coast, written by the local aviation historical and research society, and the story of Duxford aerodrome. its history and surroundings, by Bruce Robertson.
Each chapter is an 'epic' in its own right, and should provide inspiration for all keen enthusiasts.


by Bruce Robertson
Published by PSL 1978 1st edition. 156pp profusely illustrated. 16x24 near fine, including d/j.






Note:
"Long" descriptions, where shown, may have been taken from the book's dust jacket notes, and as such are relevant to the date of publication (e.g. any references to "new edition" "previously unpublished photographs" etc.) and not the present.

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