THE ROYAL AIR FORCE - An Illustrated History.

UK,Qrto HB+dw/dj,1st edn.FINE/FINE.No owner inscrptn and no price-clip to dw/dj - absence of publisher's price - generally believed to be an export copy,which usually precedes the UK trade edn issues and distribution.Bright,crisp,clean,glossy laminated,colour+b/w photographic illustrated dw/dj panels,with silver+b/w lettering; with negligible shelf-wear or creasing to edges and corners - no nicks or tears present.Top+fore-edges generally bright and clean; contents bright,tight,clean,solid and sound - pristine - no dog-ear reading creases to any pages' corners,appears unread - apart from my own collation.Bright, crisp,clean,sharp-cornered,publisher's original plain RAF blue cloth boards with bright,crisp,stamped gilt letters to spine/ backstrip and immaculate plain white eps.UK,Qrto HB+dw/dj,1st edn,12-288pp [paginated] includes 13 chapters,profuse archive,contemporary b/w photographs and b/w maps interspersed throughout the text and the book,appendices and an index,plus [unpaginated] half-title page,b/w photographic double-paged title page,contents list/table,with list of b/w maps to it's reverse,foreword by Marshal of the Air Force Sir Peter Harding (Chief of Defebce Staff) an introduction with acknowledgements to it's reverse.
Per Ardua ad Astra. For 75 years this stirring phrase has epitomized the glorios traditions of the Royal Air Force.Created in 1918 from the former Royal Flying Corps,the RAF forged its own traditions as it developed thetactics and weaponry of aerial warfare.It ended the First World War with a strength of 300,000 personnel and 23,000 aircraft,but there was the immediate threat of stringent post-war defence budgets and an Army and Navy that demanded that air power be under their control.The RAF was perhaps the most neglected armed force during the 'appeasement years',despite vocal opposition and foreign militarization.After desperate rearmament in both aircraft and ground defences,and following tactical deployment,the RAF stemmed the tide of German expansion in the Battle of Britain. The author devotes 1/3rd of the book to the superb record of the RAF throughout WW2, acknowledging the problems in command, strategy and aircraft equipment that appeared in all theatres during the fight against the Axis forces.Chapters cover the lean years from 1940-1942 with the RAF over-committed on all fronts,through the gradual build-up with improved aircraft and on to the heavy bombing campaign and the final,comprehensive air assault on Germany. The years 1944-45 mark the high point of RAF history,but the factual framework continues with details of the appearance of jet aircraft,the deployments worldwide as the British Empire evolved into the Commonwealth and the RAF's changing tactical and strategic roles as Britain declined from 'superpower' status.This period also includes an appraisal of the V-bomber force,the slow decline in British research and development,the emergence of the RAF role in NATO and the balance of power during the Cold War.As an authentic record of the development of the Royal Air Force,this single volume represents an important historical review.It is sure to be valued by historians,enthusiasts,serving personnel and those with nothing more than a general interest in the history of our armed forces. Since April 2013,again in March 2015, and in this year too,the UK Post Office has altered it's Pricing in Proportion template, altering it's prices,weight allowances,dimensions and lowered it's qualifying compensation rates too! So,please contact rpaxtonden@blueyonder.co.uk ,because of the weight/value of this item for correct,insured shipping/P+p quotes - particularly ALL overseas buyers - BEFORE ordering through the order page!