Twice Vertical

Ref: 3951

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{detailed description}In 1878 Royal Engineers were 'going vertical' in balloons. Today the successors of those pioneers are once more in the forefront of vertical take-off as the first unit in the world to be equipped with the revolutionary Hawker Siddeley Harrier jump-jet. No 1 (Fighter) Squadron, Royal Air Force, is therefore both the oldest military flying unit in existence and a pioneer in the use of today's most advanced aircraft and techniques.
In 1914 the Squadron relinquished its balloons and airships to the Royal Navy and became a specialised scout unit. Flying Nieuports, and later SE 5As, it fought with distinction in Flanders and destroyed over 200 enemy aircraft in nine months.
Between the wars the Squadron saw overseas service in India and Iraq, returning to England to take a leading part in the colourful air pageants of the 'thirties. Flying to France with the BEF in 1939 the Squadron was to shoot down over.100 enemy planes in the nine days following the German invasion. After a full participation in the Battle of Britain came sweeps over occupied Europe, night intruder work and the D-Day landing, followed by successful operations until the end of the war. The Squadron even produced a new Variety star in its `Erkadians'—Max Bygraves.
Later No 1 played a part in the controversial Suez landings of 1956, and made headlines by bombing the Torrey Canyon in 1967.
This narrative, written by one of its current pilots, shows in the history of No 1 (Fighter) Squadron, a microcosm of the history of fighter aircraft in Royal Air Force service. Its title illustrates the full circle of the technical development of air power in this century.
Foreword by Wing Commander P. J. H. Halahan DFC
{Author / Publisher / Date}by Michael Shaw
published by Macdonald 1971 1st edn. 256pp illustrated, index
{condition}fine, d/j very good, small closed tear at foot of spine and to rear.
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