The Fighting Cocks (Hardback)
Imprint: Pen & Sword Aviation
Pages: 352
ISBN: 9781848843851
Published: 29th June 2011
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| Other formats available - Buy the Hardback and get the eBook for free! | Price |
|---|---|
| The Fighting Cocks ePub (54.9 MB) Add to Basket | £6.99 |
In April 1916, a group of early aviators gathered in the fields beneath the crags and ramparts of Stirling Castle to form what was to become one of the Royal Air Force's most distinguished fighter squadrons.
Few squadrons can match the history of 43 Squadron which has included being the first to undertake ground attack operations during the First World War, shooting down the first enemy aircraft over England in the Second World War, and achieving the remarkable double of shooting down 6 enemy aircraft in one day in both World Wars. Its distinctive emblem of the Fighting Cock embodies the spirit and resilience of a fighter squadron that has been in the vanguard of RAF operations for almost a century. Perhaps the Fighting Cocks' finest period occurred during the Battle of Britain when its Hurricanes destroyed 60 enemy aircraft with a further thirteen ”probables” and twenty-five more damaged.
With the advent of the jet age, 43 Squadron became the first unit to fly the Hunter, seeing operational duties in Aden, before re-equipping with the Phantom until the end of the Cold War. This new edition of the Fighting Cocks' history brings the story up to date and covers its 20 years of service with the Tornado F3, including the Gulf War, NATO operations over Bosnia, and the Iraq War.
* This new edition of the Fighting Cocks' history brings the story up to date
* Few squadrons can match the history of 43 Squadron
* Fighting Cock embodies the spirit and resilience of a fighter squadron that has been in the vanguard of RAF operations for almost a century
Extremely well illustrated. This book is an enjoyable read and provides and interesting insight into the life of an RAF squadron, from bi-planes to supersonic fighters. It will make a worthy addition to any bookshelf and is highly recommended.
Jets Monthly – March 2012
Reproduction quality is excellent throughout, as is the overall presentation of the book. How well does it read? Very well. This book is well written, short on typos and long on anecdote. If you are into squadron histories, they don’t come much better than this.
Royal Air Force Historical Society - Journal 51
The plentiful illustrations in this very complete history depict all of the aircraft types and many of the famous fighter pilots associated with the unit, most of the ore recent pictures being reproduced in colour, and useful appendices cover such specifics as insignia and markings (with four pages of colour artwork side elevations), bases, aircraft performance, serial listings. This is a worthy tribute to Jimmy Beedle's initiative.
Aeroplane - January 2012
More than just a Squadron history, this is a tale of men and machines during a notable period in the RFC/RAF history. Well illustrated with Appendices and an Index, this is a worthy addition to your bookshelf.
Cross and Cockade International - Autumn 2011
Excellent in all respects and a must for anyone interested in RAF history, RAF in Scotland, Battle of Britain-the reasons why one should buy this book are countless!, Highly Recommended.
Air Mail Oct-Dec 2011
A fascinating book that charted the history of the famous unit from its inception to its disbandment in 2009. The appendix contains a tremendous amount of detail; including the serials of all the aircraft that have flown with 43.
Flypast - September 2011
The author has produced a vital addition to the printed history of the Royal Air Force.
Britain at War - July 2011
About Norman Franks
Norman Franks is a respected historian and author. Previous titles for Pen and Sword include, In the Footsteps of the Red Baron (1990) The Fighting Cocks (2010), Fighter Pilots Over Burma (2014), Great War Fighter Aces (2014) and Dowding's Eagles (2015). He lives in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex.
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