Phoenix Into Ashes

Ref: 4731

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Price: £160.00

sadly, flyingbooks is now closed.

{detailed description}WING-COMMANDER BEAMONTS flying career is the mirror image of British enterprise in the air during the last thirty years: it is a story of proud achievement. His skill and courage have time and time again been brought to bear on a critical advance in our flying history. In 1948 he was the first British pilot to fly at the speed of sound A year later he carried out the first flight of the first British jet bomber. After establishing two Atlantic flight records in Canberras he successfully flew the P 1 through the first British supersonic flght programme in 1954. He was the first to fly a British aircraft at twice the speed of sound, which he achieved four years later, having in the meanwhile exceeded the current world speed record while testing the Lightning.
The famous but ill-fated TSR 2 was perhaps the greatest and ironically the most disappointing achievement of Wing Commander Beamont's career as a foremost test pilot. He was associated with this plane from its inception, participated in the problems of its design and was its test pilot from start to finish. The combination of triumph and frustration that fell to him in this remarkable episode in British aviation is the material of one of the most important sections of this book.
The author's great contribution to British aviation since the war was the logical continuation of a brilliant record as a fighter pilot in the R.A.F. As an individual pilot and as a leader his exploits are reflected in the awards that he won -including two D.S.O.s, two D.F.C.s and an American D.F.C. The early chapters in the book are given to this phase and provide a memorable picture by 'one of the few' of the Battle of Britain and later air-combat over Europe.
Very scarce copy, rarely available in this condition
{Author / Publisher / Date}by Roland Beamont
published by William Kimber 1968 1st edn. 192pp illustrated, appendix 16x24
{condition}lightly bumped corners, otherwise near fine in d/j slightly faded spine and minimal shelf-wear. Rarely available, especially in this condition. Good bright copy, no foxing, previous owner's name pencilled to rear end-paper.
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