Very Unusual Air War

From Dunkirk to AFDU: The Diary and Log Book of Test Pilot Leonard Thorne 1940-45

Nonfiction, History, Military, Aviation
Cover of the book Very Unusual Air War by Leonard Thorne, Gill Griffin, Barry Griffin, The History Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Leonard Thorne, Gill Griffin, Barry Griffin ISBN: 9780752497280
Publisher: The History Press Publication: September 2, 2013
Imprint: Spellmount Publishers Ltd Language: English
Author: Leonard Thorne, Gill Griffin, Barry Griffin
ISBN: 9780752497280
Publisher: The History Press
Publication: September 2, 2013
Imprint: Spellmount Publishers Ltd
Language: English

The 20-year-old Len Thorne joined the RAF in May 1940. After two hectic tours of operational duty as a fighter pilot (including some desperately dangerous low-level flying at Dunkirk) he was posted to AFDU (Air Fighting Development Unit) and remained there as a test pilot for the rest of the war. He flew both Allied aircraft and captured enemy planes and was a colleague of many of the fighter "aces." Fortunately for us, Len kept an insightful diary, which, set alongside his log book, tells the unique story of a member of the AFDU, tasked with developing operational tactics and testing captured enemy aircraft. Len provides not only an insight into training and the amazing work done by the test pilots but also into some of the most famous flyers of the RAF, with whom he worked, including Wing Commander Al Deere and Spitfire Aces SL "Paddy" Finucane, Ernie Ryder, and many others. Len’s diary for September 21 1942 records the first sighting of the feared FW190: "The pilot performed a series of quick rolls . . . metaphorically sticking up the proverbial two fingers." In May 1943 Len would be test flying the same type after pilot Heinz Erhardt mistakenly landed one at Marston!

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The 20-year-old Len Thorne joined the RAF in May 1940. After two hectic tours of operational duty as a fighter pilot (including some desperately dangerous low-level flying at Dunkirk) he was posted to AFDU (Air Fighting Development Unit) and remained there as a test pilot for the rest of the war. He flew both Allied aircraft and captured enemy planes and was a colleague of many of the fighter "aces." Fortunately for us, Len kept an insightful diary, which, set alongside his log book, tells the unique story of a member of the AFDU, tasked with developing operational tactics and testing captured enemy aircraft. Len provides not only an insight into training and the amazing work done by the test pilots but also into some of the most famous flyers of the RAF, with whom he worked, including Wing Commander Al Deere and Spitfire Aces SL "Paddy" Finucane, Ernie Ryder, and many others. Len’s diary for September 21 1942 records the first sighting of the feared FW190: "The pilot performed a series of quick rolls . . . metaphorically sticking up the proverbial two fingers." In May 1943 Len would be test flying the same type after pilot Heinz Erhardt mistakenly landed one at Marston!

More books from The History Press

Cover of the book Provincetown by Leonard Thorne, Gill Griffin, Barry Griffin
Cover of the book The Golden Lane by Leonard Thorne, Gill Griffin, Barry Griffin
Cover of the book From the Bloody Heart by Leonard Thorne, Gill Griffin, Barry Griffin
Cover of the book Little Book of Bray and Enniskerry by Leonard Thorne, Gill Griffin, Barry Griffin
Cover of the book Dublin Folk Tales for Children by Leonard Thorne, Gill Griffin, Barry Griffin
Cover of the book Guernsey Evacuees by Leonard Thorne, Gill Griffin, Barry Griffin
Cover of the book Kut 1916 by Leonard Thorne, Gill Griffin, Barry Griffin
Cover of the book Dwin Bramall by Leonard Thorne, Gill Griffin, Barry Griffin
Cover of the book Firing the Flying Scotsman and Other Great Locomotives by Leonard Thorne, Gill Griffin, Barry Griffin
Cover of the book Parachute in the Lime Tree by Leonard Thorne, Gill Griffin, Barry Griffin
Cover of the book English Country House Eccentrics by Leonard Thorne, Gill Griffin, Barry Griffin
Cover of the book Blood in the Snow, Blood on the Grass by Leonard Thorne, Gill Griffin, Barry Griffin
Cover of the book On This Day in West Virginia Civil War History by Leonard Thorne, Gill Griffin, Barry Griffin
Cover of the book Little Book of Newcastle by Leonard Thorne, Gill Griffin, Barry Griffin
Cover of the book Bradford in 100 Dates by Leonard Thorne, Gill Griffin, Barry Griffin
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy