Hurricane R4118 Revisited: The Extraordinary Story of the Discovery and Restoration to Flight of a Battle of Britain Survivor: The Adventure Continues 2005-2017
Twelve years since the amazing account of Peter Vacher’s discovery in India was originally published, Grub Street is thrilled to bring readers the updated story of Hurricane R4118. Since the restoration of this magnificent aircraft to flight in 2004, Peter Vacher continued to research its history. In Hurricane R4118 Revisited, more stories of R4118’s origins are told, including the extraordinary tale of how this aircraft shot down a friendly Whitley bomber before it was assigned to a RAF squadron. Focus is also given to the role of 605 Squadron’s ground crew and the aircraft during the Battle of Britain. Continuing into the present day, Vacher highlights the challenges of maintaining and flying a historic warbird, whilst Keith Dennison, a warbird pilot, provides expert commentary on exactly what it is like to fly a Hurricane. The book concludes with the sale of R4118 to an enthusiastic Englishman and the decision taken to keep the aircraft at the Shuttleworth Collection. With brand new photography and sources, including wartime letters from Bunny Currant, this book is essential reading for all Hurricane enthusiasts.
1125792019
Hurricane R4118 Revisited: The Extraordinary Story of the Discovery and Restoration to Flight of a Battle of Britain Survivor: The Adventure Continues 2005-2017
Twelve years since the amazing account of Peter Vacher’s discovery in India was originally published, Grub Street is thrilled to bring readers the updated story of Hurricane R4118. Since the restoration of this magnificent aircraft to flight in 2004, Peter Vacher continued to research its history. In Hurricane R4118 Revisited, more stories of R4118’s origins are told, including the extraordinary tale of how this aircraft shot down a friendly Whitley bomber before it was assigned to a RAF squadron. Focus is also given to the role of 605 Squadron’s ground crew and the aircraft during the Battle of Britain. Continuing into the present day, Vacher highlights the challenges of maintaining and flying a historic warbird, whilst Keith Dennison, a warbird pilot, provides expert commentary on exactly what it is like to fly a Hurricane. The book concludes with the sale of R4118 to an enthusiastic Englishman and the decision taken to keep the aircraft at the Shuttleworth Collection. With brand new photography and sources, including wartime letters from Bunny Currant, this book is essential reading for all Hurricane enthusiasts.
39.95 In Stock
Hurricane R4118 Revisited: The Extraordinary Story of the Discovery and Restoration to Flight of a Battle of Britain Survivor: The Adventure Continues 2005-2017

Hurricane R4118 Revisited: The Extraordinary Story of the Discovery and Restoration to Flight of a Battle of Britain Survivor: The Adventure Continues 2005-2017

by Peter Vacher
Hurricane R4118 Revisited: The Extraordinary Story of the Discovery and Restoration to Flight of a Battle of Britain Survivor: The Adventure Continues 2005-2017

Hurricane R4118 Revisited: The Extraordinary Story of the Discovery and Restoration to Flight of a Battle of Britain Survivor: The Adventure Continues 2005-2017

by Peter Vacher

Hardcover

$39.95 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    In stock. Ships in 3-7 days. Typically arrives in 3 weeks.
  • PICK UP IN STORE

    Your local store may have stock of this item.

Related collections and offers


Overview

Twelve years since the amazing account of Peter Vacher’s discovery in India was originally published, Grub Street is thrilled to bring readers the updated story of Hurricane R4118. Since the restoration of this magnificent aircraft to flight in 2004, Peter Vacher continued to research its history. In Hurricane R4118 Revisited, more stories of R4118’s origins are told, including the extraordinary tale of how this aircraft shot down a friendly Whitley bomber before it was assigned to a RAF squadron. Focus is also given to the role of 605 Squadron’s ground crew and the aircraft during the Battle of Britain. Continuing into the present day, Vacher highlights the challenges of maintaining and flying a historic warbird, whilst Keith Dennison, a warbird pilot, provides expert commentary on exactly what it is like to fly a Hurricane. The book concludes with the sale of R4118 to an enthusiastic Englishman and the decision taken to keep the aircraft at the Shuttleworth Collection. With brand new photography and sources, including wartime letters from Bunny Currant, this book is essential reading for all Hurricane enthusiasts.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781910690437
Publisher: Grub Street
Publication date: 09/25/2017
Pages: 192
Product dimensions: 6.75(w) x 9.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Peter Vacher is the noted author of Hurricane R4118. He was born in London during the Blitz and was educated at Marlborough College.

Table of Contents

Foreword 6

An Appreciation of the Hurricane 7

Acknowledgements 8

A Twinkle in the Eye 11

Part 1 Rescuing a Hero

Chapter 1 That's not a Spit, that's a Hurricane! 15

Chapter 2 Negotiations Start 20

Chapter 3 Unwelcome Publicity 24

Chapter 4 Monsoon 31

Chapter 5 Frustration 36

Chapter 6 Home at Last 41

Chapter 7 An Extraordinary Tale 45

Chapter 8 The Battle of Britain 52

Chapter 9 The Men Behind the Few 83

Chapter 10 Accident Prone 90

Chapter 11 A Passage to India 103

Part II Restoration and Flight

Chapter 12 The Strip 110

Chapter 13 The Search 119

Chapter 14 Reconstruction 126

Chapter 15 The Rolls-Royce Merlin HI 139

Chapter 16 Into the Air 148

Chapter 17 The Great Day 157

Chapter 18 Living with a 75-year-old Warbird 160

Chapter 19 The Pilot's View 166

Chapter 20 The Story Continues 175

Epilogue 182

A Closer Look at R4118 184

Apendix I Camouflage and Markings 186

Apendix II Movement Card Form 78 192

Apendix III Operational Records with 605 and 111 Squadrons 194

Apendix IV Engine History 199

Apendix V Hawker Modifications 202

Apendix VI Operational Aircraft during the Battle of Britain 204

Index 206

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews