Clipped Wings

From the publisher

NOTE: This is a reprint of Clipped Wings, first published in 1973.

The story of aviation is one of success. Few, if any, industries could have equalled the astounding pace of the development of flight. For many, however, it was also the story of failure – of wasted ideas, designs and money. There is another category of aviation; a success-failure story. These were the aircraft that never completely made the grade – and their histories and development are as fascinating as any.

This book explores ten of these ‘middle of the road’ aircraft. Some were just poor aircraft; some came at the wrong time; some were misused; and some found themselves in that most awful of predicaments – they became targets of political bias. But they were all characters. They all had a working life, however limited, and they all had their vices and virtues. All left their marks on the minds (and sometimes the bodies) of those who flew them.

Including first-hand accounts from designers, test pilots, operators and aircrew, this book presents detailed research into the truth behind the image. The aircraft included are the B.E.2c, R.E.8, General Aircraft Monospar, Armstrong Whitworth Argosy, Fairey Battle, Blackburn Roc, Westland Whirlwind, Saro Lerwick, Avro Manchester, and Vickers Supermarine Swift.