Test pilots are a notoriously modest and reticent breed and their work has generally been under-valued because of their dislike of publicity. Much of their work has been, and still is, of a secret nature so this, too, inhibits discussion of their work.
This book is written to reveal the problems which have faced test pilots from the earliest years of aviation when flying was a major gamble. As knowledge of aerodynamics and stress grew the work became slightly less risky until the era of transonic flying at the end of, and just after, the war made it a very dangerous period.
The author has selected a number of test sorties and programmes which were, indeed, tests of character and tells the story of the difficulties faced by the test pilots in turning the new machines into efficient aircraft capable of being flown safely by ordinary military and commercial pilots.
Tests of Character also includes stories of sorties which ended in disaster and the escape of the crews makes compelling reading.
The classic prototypes studied include the Hurricane, Spitfire, Lancaster, Mosquito, Victor and Lightning among RAF types; the Albatross, Ambassador and Viscount airliners, whilst American types discussed include the Boeing 307, 707, Vultee Vengeance, and the Bell X series supersonic aircraft.
by Don Middleton
Published by Airlife 1995 1st edition. 224pp profusely illustrated, index, bibliography. 20x26 mint, including d/j.
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"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jacket notes, and as such are relevant to the date of publication (e.g. any references to "new edition" "previously unpublished photographs" etc.)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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Martlesham Heath | British Flight Testing: Martlesham Heath 1920-1939 |
