2. Books
  3. 263 and 137 Squadrons: The Whirlwind Years

263 and 137 Squadrons: The Whirlwind Years

Author(s): Robert Bowater 

ISBN: 9781781552452
Sale
-20%
£20.00 £25.00
263 and 137 Squadrons: The Whirlwind Years reveals the heroism and sacrifice of the squadrons’ pilots – men who came from as far afield as Peru and Australia – and the impact this extraordinary but little-known aircraft had on the war.
QTY:
Trust Badge
For many, the Westland Whirlwind conjures the image of yellow air-sea rescue helicopters, not the sleek twin-engine monoplane that was the RAF’s first single-seat, cannon-armed fighter. Although faster and better armed than its legendary cousin, the Spitfire, the Westland Whirlwind has long been neglected the appreciation it deserves. Only 114 were built, sufficient to equip two squadrons: Nos 263 and 137. Between 6 July 1940 and 31 December 1943, 210 pilots were listed in the Operational Record Books of these two squadrons; while ‘The Few’ won the Battle of Britain, the ‘Whirlwind Men’ were an even more select group, with some becoming a part of RAF folklore.

Based predominantly on first-hand accounts, 263 and 137 Squadrons: The Whirlwind Years reveals the heroism and sacrifice of the squadrons’ pilots – men who came from as far afield as Peru and Australia – and the impact this extraordinary but little-known aircraft had on the war.

BOOK ISBN 9781781552452
FORMAT 248 x 172 mm
BINDING Hardback
PAGES 352 pages
PUBLICATION DATE 15 October 2013
TERRITORY World
ILLUSTRATIONS 250 black and white photographs

 

 





Robert Bowater was born in England some twenty years after the events portrayed in this book. His passion for Second World War aviation began at an early age; 263 and 137 Squadrons: The Whirlwind Years – his first book – is the culmination of many years’ research. He has lived and worked in Scotland for the past fourteen years with his wife Elspeth, two cats and a dog called Griffon.

FREE REWARD CARD

Free Shipping

Alternative Vendors

United Kingdom: Amazon UK, Waterstones, Books Etc

USA: Amazon USA, Barnes & Noble, Arcadia

Australia: Book Depository, Dymocks, Another

e-book vendors

Amazon KINDLE, iTUNES, Google PLAY, Kobo

View similar titles

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN THE FOLLOWING BOOKS

Ramsgate Municipal Airport: A Pictorial History - available now from Fonthill Media Quick View
New
Sale
-20%

Ramsgate Municipal Airport: A Pictorial History

A photographic archive and record of Ramsgate’s Municipal Airport over three decades.

£13.59£16.99
Add to Cart
Royal Air Force Command: ‘Defence of the Realm’ 1936-1945 Quick View
PRE-ORDER
Sale
-20%

Royal Air Force Command: ‘Defence of the Realm’ 1936-1945

Between the creation of Fighter Command in 1936 and the end of the Second World War, a dangerously outmoded RAF was transformed into a finely-honed organisation that helped destroy the Luftwaffe.

£36.00£45.00
PRE-ORDER
High Hulls: Flying Boats of the 1930s and 1940s - published by Fonthill Media Quick View
New
Sale
-20%

High Hulls: Flying Boats of the 1930s and 1940s

The story of the strange and beautiful flying boats from aviation’s greatest age.
£32.00£40.00
Add to Cart
The Messerschmitt 210/410 Story - published by Fonthill Media Quick View
PRE-ORDER
Sale
-20%

The Messerschmitt 210/410 Story

A concise and heavily illustrated history of the Luftwaffe’s Messerschmitt Me 210 and Me 410 heavy fighters.
£20.00£25.00
PRE-ORDER
Soviet Bombers of the Second World War - available now from Fonthill Media Quick View
PRE-ORDER
Sale
-20%

Soviet Bombers of the Second World War

A comprehensive history of Soviet-built bombers of the Second World War, including both operational types and experimental aircraft.
£36.00£45.00
PRE-ORDER
Letters from a Lancaster Gunner Quick View
New
Sale
-20%

Letters from a Lancaster Gunner

The riveting and heart-breaking story of a young Lancaster gunner told through his original letters home.(1942-1943).

£16.00£20.00
Add to Cart
Hawker Typhoon and Tempest - published by Fonthill Media Quick View
New
Sale
-20%

Hawker Typhoon and Tempest: A Formidable Pair

The Hawker Typhoon and Tempest were unbeatable in the hazardous ground attack role during the Second World War.
£28.00£35.00
Add to Cart
Soviet Strategic Bombers: The Hammer in the Hammer and the Sickle Quick View
New
Sale
-20%

Soviet Strategic Bombers: The Hammer in the Hammer and the Sickle

A comprehensive history of Soviet strategic bombers after the Second World War.
£28.00£35.00
Add to Cart
Fuel, Fire and Fear: RAF Flight Engineers at War - available now from Fonthill Media Quick View
New
Sale
-20%

Fuel, Fire and Fear: RAF Flight Engineers at War

The development of the complex role in keeping large bombers in the air by RAF flight engineers during 1941 to 1946.
£20.00£25.00
Add to Cart
Fighters over Malta: Gladiators and Hurricanes 1940-1942 - available now from Fonthill Media Quick View
New
Sale
-20%

Fighters over Malta: Gladiators and Hurricanes 1940-1942

A highly-detailed account of the gallant band of RAF and Commonwealth pilots who flew Gladiators and Hurricanes in defence of Malta between June 1940 and April 1942 when help in the guise of Spitfires finally arrived.

£28.00£35.00
Add to Cart
Focke-Wulf Jet Fighters Quick View
New
Sale
-20%

Focke-Wulf Jet Fighters

The deadliest aircraft designed during the last months of the Second World War were an inspiration for the first generation of Cold War supremacy fighters ala the North American F-86 Sabre and Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15.
£24.00£30.00
Add to Cart
Liberators over the Atlantic Quick View
New
Sale
-20%

Liberators over the Atlantic

Responding to 'the call', a young man learns to fly and recounts the challenges of hunting U-boats in the Atlantic.
£20.00£25.00
Add to Cart
ISBN: text
Availability: text

QTY:
VIEW FULL DESCRIPTION »

EXTRA 20% OFF ON ALL BOOKS *

USE CODE:   GET20 GET20

* Online only. Ends 16/06 Click on the button 'GET20' above and the discount will be applied automatically at checkout.

EXTRA 20% OFF ON ALL BOOKS * USE CODE: GET20