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Images of War
The Hawker Hunter: Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives
A "well-done" pictorial history of the legendary fighter plane "that both enthusiasts and modelers alike will enjoy"(ModelingMadness).
If ever there was a real pilot's airplane it was the Hunter: an outstanding multipurpose aircraft which excelled in the roles of interceptor fighter, ground attack, reconnaissance, research vehicle, and two-seater trainer, not forgetting its dramatic formation aerobatic performances.
For decades, pilots have enthused about the Hunter, extolling the virtues of its smooth, aerodynamic lines, 4 x 30mm cannon, the Rolls-Royce Avon engine, and its outstandingly honest handling characteristics combined with a lively performance. It saw operational deployment in Europe with Fighter Command and 2nd TAF, in Cyprus, the Middle East, and the Far East, operating in the ground-attack role against rebels in Aden and Malaysia respectively. The Hunter was a classic thoroughbred of its time, from the stables of one of the finest fighter manufacturers in the world and, for fifty years, its adaptability was rarely challenged.
Although the last example was retired in July 2001, the Hunter legend undoubtedly lives on, with 114 potentially air-worthy airframes located in fourteen countries around the world. Here, the legendary tale of the Hunter is told in words and images.
If ever there was a real pilot's airplane it was the Hunter: an outstanding multipurpose aircraft which excelled in the roles of interceptor fighter, ground attack, reconnaissance, research vehicle, and two-seater trainer, not forgetting its dramatic formation aerobatic performances.
For decades, pilots have enthused about the Hunter, extolling the virtues of its smooth, aerodynamic lines, 4 x 30mm cannon, the Rolls-Royce Avon engine, and its outstandingly honest handling characteristics combined with a lively performance. It saw operational deployment in Europe with Fighter Command and 2nd TAF, in Cyprus, the Middle East, and the Far East, operating in the ground-attack role against rebels in Aden and Malaysia respectively. The Hunter was a classic thoroughbred of its time, from the stables of one of the finest fighter manufacturers in the world and, for fifty years, its adaptability was rarely challenged.
Although the last example was retired in July 2001, the Hunter legend undoubtedly lives on, with 114 potentially air-worthy airframes located in fourteen countries around the world. Here, the legendary tale of the Hunter is told in words and images.
144 pages, Paperback
Published July 22, 2020
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About the author
Martin W. Bowman
230 books24 followersMartin W. Bowman is one of Britain's leading aviation authors, with over 100 published books on the Second World War and post-war aviation history, and several on the landscape of East Anglia. He has also established an international reputation for his superb imagery and aerial photography. He has a passion for flying in military aircraft. He lives in Norwich, Norfolk.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 6, 2023
Large format book of my favourite aircraft, the Hawker Hunter, in RAF, FAA and numerous other air arms' service.
The photographs are well-produced, but the volume really needed a colour middle section to liven it up - the front and rear cover has colour photographs, so it's a shame the contents didn't include a few.
Nonetheless there are some lovely - and uniques - photos. Those of 'Blue Diamond' display aircraft diving and climbing on pages 25 and 26 are fabulous.
The text, and there's a lot of text, could have done with better layout and editing. Page 48 is constant text, ending with a paragraph break 1/3rd of the way down page 49, so it is 'heavy reading'. An editor should have picked-out. also on page 49 'On only one mission was one aircraft was permitted to fire its cannon but not at people but solely to intimidate.' A section on page 79 about the rocketing of the Torrey Canyon is entirely in parentheses, and should have been a standalone paragraph.
Nonetheless, despite these flaws, the book is a worthwhile read, though I picked my new copy up half-price at The High Peak Bookshop (and Cafe) in Derbyshire for just £7.99. Without a colour section it's unlikely I would have paid 'full-whack' for it.
And the picture on page 23 of a Hunter and all of its available payload combinations was definitely the inspiration for the rear cover photo on Pink Floyd's 1969 'Ummagumma' album!
The photographs are well-produced, but the volume really needed a colour middle section to liven it up - the front and rear cover has colour photographs, so it's a shame the contents didn't include a few.
Nonetheless there are some lovely - and uniques - photos. Those of 'Blue Diamond' display aircraft diving and climbing on pages 25 and 26 are fabulous.
The text, and there's a lot of text, could have done with better layout and editing. Page 48 is constant text, ending with a paragraph break 1/3rd of the way down page 49, so it is 'heavy reading'. An editor should have picked-out. also on page 49 'On only one mission was one aircraft was permitted to fire its cannon but not at people but solely to intimidate.' A section on page 79 about the rocketing of the Torrey Canyon is entirely in parentheses, and should have been a standalone paragraph.
Nonetheless, despite these flaws, the book is a worthwhile read, though I picked my new copy up half-price at The High Peak Bookshop (and Cafe) in Derbyshire for just £7.99. Without a colour section it's unlikely I would have paid 'full-whack' for it.
And the picture on page 23 of a Hunter and all of its available payload combinations was definitely the inspiration for the rear cover photo on Pink Floyd's 1969 'Ummagumma' album!
September 26, 2023
Published in 2020, 'The Hawker Hunter' is one of many in the 'Images of War' series of well illustrated book titles - more than 120 in this case. The subtitle 'Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives', along with the series title is a little misleading; whilst I fully realise that the Hawker Hunter has been used in many armed conflicts over the years, much of the phots represent Hunters during peacetime activities with the RAF. I do not mind this at all, but it does seem like a misleading title. All in all, a very enjoyable book for anyone interested in the Hawker Hunter.
August 8, 2021
Great photo book or the Hawker Hunter. Not that many "wartime" images--that's the name of the series.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews