SELECTION OF BOOKS including technical books

Imagine Nick Hornby mixed with Jeremy Clarkson, throw in an initially reluctant flyer, and you get 'Propellerhead'! Hilarious, engaging, petrifying, eccentric, daring and full of incident, Antony Woodward's account of his introduction to to aviation, and his journey to becoming a pilot, will touch a chord with all flyers.

The de Havilland Tiger Moth biplane is an iconic and instantly recognisable aircraft. The authors take a close look at the construction of the Tiger Moth, acquiring and restoring an example, owning and flying one, and the engineer's view of keeping it all running and airworthy.

This is a high quality facsimile of Aircraft Welding by Colonel Rollen H. Drake, originally published in 1947. This book contains all the information and instruction needed to fulfill the welding requirements for an aircraft mechanic's license in 1947.

An introduction to navigational and radio systems for aircraft.
This work provides a fundamental overview of the principles and operation of many instruments and aids found aboard all types and sizes of aeroplane.
The author,Joe Johnston, has worked in maintenance engineering for a leading international airline for over twenty years.

The dream of every new private pilot is to buy an aircraft and be free from the restrictions of renting a plane from the local flying school or club.
However, it can be a daunting task to actually achieve the dream. This new Airlife book which includes valuable Appendices provides a blueprint for any aspiring aircraft owner. 164 pages, illustrated with b&w photographs throughout.

Handy reference guide for aircraft builders, mechanics, owners and pilots, supplying much info critical to maintaining an aircraft. Amongst other subjects, looks at tools, solid state electrical systems, fabrication, mathematics, physical and chemical properties, corrosion detection and control, and drawings. Spiral-bound, 350+ pages.

An insight into owning, restoring, servicing and flying Britain's legendary World War II fighter. Well illustrated in B&W/colour.

These days anybody can build his or her own aeroplane in their garage or shed. But back in the 1930s it was a different story. In this fascinating and unique book all of the Practical Mechanics home-built aircraft articles are reprinted just as they were published from the Flying Flea to the LA.4a Minor.

8th edition, by Larry Reithmaier. Definitive 'nuts and bolts' reference manual containing a wealth of information, this revised classic features co-ordinated step-by-step procedures for riveting, drilling, bolts and fasteners, tools, electrical wiring, reading drawings, non-destructive testing, bending, forming and fabricating, and much more. 292 pages.

This classic manual by Wolfgang Langewiesche covers all the elements of flying, from how and why flight works, through air sense, wind drift, controls, basic manoeuvres, landing, dangers, working speeds etc. 390 pages, fully indexed, line illustrations, cloth.

Dan Raymer's excellent manual is an ideal first book on airplane design, combining professional experience with directness, clarity of expression and the benefit of contemporary technological developments. All aspects ofdesign are examined, including loading, sizing, geometry, lofting, aerodynamics, propulsion,stability, take-off, speed, range etc. Fully illustrated throughout, annotated and indexed.

An illustrated account of the various animals kept as pets and mascots by wartime airmen.

In this enjoyable and informative book, Colin Pateman tells the story of the animal mascots and companions adopted by air force personnel and squadrons of various nationalities during World War II – dogs, cats, goats and sundry other creatures whose presence provided a welcome distraction from the stresses of warfare and an important boost to morale.

Many animals took to the air as passengers in various types of aircraft and there are some remarkable tales of their antics. One dog, for instance, was washed up alive on the Yorkshire coast four weeks after the aircraft in which he was flying was lost over the North Sea. Another dog, after surviving a crash landing, went to seek help and led rescuers back to the crashed aircraft and its injured crew. Then there is the Cocker Spaniel believed to have clocked up more flying hours than any human in World War II...

There are humorous tales too, such as the goat who ate a Lancaster pilot’s handling notes in mid-flight, the bull terrier with a taste for motorcycle tyres or the monkey who disgraced his Squadron by exposing himself to the King during a royal visit...

Very much an international collection, there are stories of animals owned by airmen of many nations, including the USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Poland, France and Germany, as well as many from the UK.

An entertaining read for any animal-lover and of particular interest to former air force personnel of all nations.

Think of the First World War and then think of an aircraft. What springs to mind will probably be the Sopwith Camel. The single-seat Camel was one of the most successful RNAS/RFC/RAF 'scouts' (the period term for a fighter) of the First World War. Jarrod Cotter has been given rare access to the Shuttleworth Collection's Sopwith Camel replica as well as Camel new-builds in France and New Zealand.

Issued by the US Army, Navy & Civil Committee on Aircraft Requirements, this wartime reference manual is divided into seven chapters. 1) General 2) Wood 3) Metals 4) Steel 5) Aluminium Alloy 6) Miscellaneous Metals and Alloys 7) Non-metallic Materials. Illustrated with graphs etc throughout.