No.1 Squadron

In 1969 No 1 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was introduced to its new mount, the revolutionary V/STOL Harrier GR1. As there were no two-seat Harriers or flight simulators, the prospect of having to teach themselves to fly this powerful aircraft was both exciting and daunting for the pilots, but they soon found the Harrier a delight to fly. Of course, vertical ascent and descent were not entirely new for the unit: No 1 Squadron Royal Flying Corps had been formed in 1912 from the airship-equipped No 1 Company, Air Battalion. It was with this historical parallel in mind that a history of the Squadron published in 1971 was entitled Twice Vertical by its author, Mike Shaw, one of those first Harrier pilots.
This new edition details No 1's illustrious history from its 'vertical prelude' as a Balloon Section of the Royal Engineers through to its operations in the Falklands War. Once again Mike Shaw has captured the spirit of the oldest military flying unit on earth. No 1 fought in Flanders and Mesopotamia, and its silver biplanes graced the golden age of the RAF in the 1930s. The Squadron played a vital role in the Battles of France and Britain, and successfully introduced the unique Harrier into front line service. Moreover, complementing his excellent account is a greatly expanded selection of illustrations from the Squadron archives and private collections, showing all aspects of Squadron life and the many famous aircraft types operated, including the Nieuport Baby; SE5A; Hawker Fury, Hurricane and Typhoon; Supermarine Spitfire; Gloster Meteor; Hawker Hunter; and Hawker Siddeley Harrier.
No Royal Air Force unit has a history and lineage as distinguished as No 1 Squadron: it is fitting that the Squadron's motto should be In Omnibus Princeps - 'In All things First'.


by Michael Shaw
Published by Ian Allan 1986 illustrated, index. 17x24
boards slightly bowed, otherwise 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jacket notes, and as such are relevant to the date of publication (e.g. any references to "new edition" "previously unpublished photographs" etc.)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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