Hawker Typhoon: The Combat History

by Richard Townshend Bickers

The Hawker Typhoon was the epitome of ground-attack aircraft during the Second World War. Originally intended to be a replacement for The Hurricane, The Hawker Typhoon entered service with the RAF during 1941. However, in the role of an interceptor fighter it proved calamitous. Rushed development of the airframe led to structural and engine failures; it was withdrawn from duty and confined to low-level flying. In the role of a ground-attack fighter, however, the Hawker Typhoon triumphed, and over 3000 models were built, equipping 32 RAF Squadrons in active service around the world. Armed with rockets, 1,000lb bombs and four 20mm cannons, it played a leading role in smashing Hitler’s defending Panzer Divisions and wrought havoc with enemy road and rail communications, as the Nazis struggled in the death throes of the Reich. Collecting first-hand accounts from operational pilots across RAF Squadrons, Richard Townshend Bickers leads us through the origins, development and operations of this formidable ground-attack fighter. Praise for Richard Townshend ‘A valuable history of the air war that began it all… by an ex-flyer of the Second World War who has a genuine feeling for the feats of his predecessors’ - The Birmingham Post ‘His sympathy with the fighting man (and woman) shines out of every page’ - Liverpool Daily Post Richard Townshend Bickers volunteered for the RAF on the outbreak of the second world war and served, with a Permanent Commission, for eighteen years. He wrote a range of military fiction and non-fiction books, including Torpedo Attack, My Enemy Came Nigh, Bombing Run and Summer of No Surrender.

Genres: History

245 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2002

About the author

Richard Leslie Townshend Bickers has written more books about the RAF and its predecessor, the RFC, than any other author past or present - some under a pseudonym. Being multilingual, he does his own research in foreign archives and by interviews and correspondence. His short stories and newspaper articles were first published and broadcast while he was a serving RAF officer. By the time he left the RAF his first four novels had appeared. His biography of his friend "Ginger" Lacey, the top-scoring pilot in the Battle of Britain, was published to acclaim in 1962.Bickers volunteered for the RAF on the outbreak of war and served, with a Permanent Commission, for eighteen years. In England he operated with Fighter and Coastal Commands; in North Africa and Italy with Desert Air Force and Mediterranean Allied Coastal Air Force. After the war he did a tour in Hong Kong and Malaya.

Reviews

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides an interesting account of the trials and tribulations of the Typhoon’s development, from a failure as a air superiority fighter to become one of the best ground attack aircraft in the world. I didn’t realise just how many problems there were with the design and the production of the plane.

The Typhoon was an important part of the offensive in Europe from 1944, among other sorties they operated the ‘Cab rank’ system allowing them to be almost instantly available to ground troops so they could take out enemy Tanks, Artillery and ground emplacements.

The book was a bit ‘dry’ at times, but that is probably to be expected with a technical account. However, there were also some very interesting descriptions of Typhoon’s in actual combat.

[John Purvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Hawker Typhoon” eBook was published in 2016 and was written by Richard Townshend Bickers. Mr. Bickers has published over 50 books on World War II aircraft and air operations.

I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is told of how the Hawker Typhoon was developed and several short tales of how the aircraft was used throughout World War II.

I enjoyed the 3 hours I spent reading this 224 page Non-Fiction book. This book was full of facts, probably more than I really wanted about the Typhoon. It was an interesting story as to how the Typhoon was developed and how it was adapted to ground attack. The cover art is very appropriate, showing a Typhoon on the airfield. If you are interested in the history of World War II and aviation, you will find this an interesting read. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.

Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.

[Maurice A. Rhodes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This an exhausting tale of the Typhoon aircraft, its pilots and its role, particularly after D-Day with their daylight sweeps after tanks vehicles and troop concentrations. One aspect not usually known outside the RAF and RCAF is the concept of "cab rank" with a ground controller calling down attacks on specific targets. In cab rank, several aircraft loitered for a set period waiting to be called and assigned targets. If there was no business after a certain time they were free to go looking for targets of opportunity. This concept was said to be adopted by the US Army Air Corps, and later by the USAF in Korea.
However, despite being a career RCAF officer, the amount of detail finally bored me so I skipped those detailed chapters (who, what, when, why, how) - perhaps because I was a navigator for 25 years!

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want to learn more about the Hawker Typhoon, you'll get some development history, some operational history, some discussion of the Tempest, and some explanation how the Typhoon grew into it role as a ground attack aircraft. This volume is a bit on the thin side with some big appendices. Organization and clarity of the writing are not strong points, but it gets the job done as an aircraft history.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really interesting read about a much maligned aircraft which became a very important part of the victory over Nazi Germany. As a ground attack aircraft it was superb bot only survived in the RAF until wars end.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a definitive book on the Hawker Typhoon.

[Berty Van Hensbergen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dry

Could have excised the long lists from the text and placed in appendices. Not as good as the subject deserves.

[Charles McClure · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting


Typhoons are a sad story of inadequate aircraft being accepted for a job to which they were assigned by default. Too bad they didn’t think it through the first time.

[wally walter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very detailed

[John Mchale · Rating 3 out of 5]

be aware half the book is aircraft and squadron statistics