Books on sale from the Museum Shop:
THE LIVES OF KEN WALLIS Engineer And Aviator Extraordinaire
By Ian Hancock (ISBN 978-0-9541239-4-9)
The Fourth Revised Edition of this biography of Wing Commander Ken Wallis MBE (Museum President) written by Ian Hancock (Museum Chairman) has grown by over 40 pages. Many new stories and episodes in Ken’s life are included within its 264 pages, supported by 126 pictures.
The book covers Ken’s schooldays and building motorbikes from the age of 11; his success with building and racing powerboats near Cambridge; then designing/building sports cars and learning to fly. Following 32 ops. as a bomber pilot in WWII, Ken spent a lot of time testing captured armament and developing equivalents; served 2 years in Strategic Air Command where he flew the giant B-36 with an atom bomb on board during the Cold War, when not being directed by General Curtis LeMay to attend automobile rallies with his “Long Dog” Rolls-Royce! Ken was called upon to solve problems with ordnance in service with the RAF, including the then new Canberra jet bomber. On a lighter side, his inventions include the first electric slot-car circuit racing cars, with hand-made electric motors and front-wheel steering; this was back in 1942.
He retired from the RAF in 1964 to concentrate upon the development of his revolutionary autogyro design following first flight in 1959, and even went on to double as James Bond in “You Only Live Twice” flying his own well-armed “Little Nellie” autogyro. Other film and television roles followed, plus many requests from the Home Office and MoD to fly his various autogyros with all manner of sensing or photographic equipment on board to assist the Police, and in military manoeuvres. He has also set 17 World Records for the autogyro in two classes - so 34 Records in all - and many still stand. Ken has been showered with awards and distinctions by national bodies and professional institutions here and abroad for his many achievements.
This is a short introduction to the fascinating life Ken has led but much more is covered in the softcover book.
Prices:
Unsigned £9.99 + £2.50 pp (UK)
Signed £12.50 + £2.50pp (UK)
Overseas postage costs on request.
Flown & Signed Limited Edition. Between 60 and 100 copies will be flown by Ken on one of his two-seat autogyros sometime during July 2007. Each book will be numbered and the authentication slip will bear a picture of the event along with Ken’s signature.
These very special copies will be priced at £25 + £2.50pp (UK).
All proceeds from the sale of this book go to the museum, and specifically to a proposed Ken Wallis Hall where his entire aviation collection will one day be preserved
Who was the oldest James Bond? A good pub-quiz question!
We reckon it was Wing Commander Ken Wallis, our President, who was 90 in April 2006. He flew “Little Nellie” his own autogyro design in “You Only Live Twice”. The aircraft was equipped with an impressive range of weaponry thanks to the film’s special-effects team, and the thrilling aerial sequence of under 8 minutes, with Bond taking on SPECTRE helicopters, required Ken to make 85 flights lasting a total of 46 hours. Sean Connery, however, was filmed in front of a blue screen at Pinewood Studios, being ruffled but not stirred by a large fan! Inexplicably, Ken was not included in the film’s credit list.
Ken has signed postcards of him flying “Little Nellie”, and has added a metal 2BA screw - one of many removed from a wartime Lancaster - to reflect his time in Bomber Command as a Wellington pilot.
No collector of James Bond’ material and related autographs should be without this unique memento - available only from our Shop at £5.00 including UK postage.
NEW WARTIME CHILDHOOD MEMORIES 1939 -1945 (Compiled and edited by Pam Veale)
Published in September 2008, this A4 format, soft-cover book has 132 pages and contains the previously unpublished childhood memories of 28 Museum members. Their stories relive the scares, occasional excitement and innocence of living in England during the difficult years of World War II. Civilians on the Home Front also endured the dangers and hardships of wartime Britain and attempted to follow ordinary lives when the risk of enemy bombs, flying bombs, rockets, and strafing aircraft were very real - plus the likelihood of the destruction or damage of their homes, poor rations, disrupted supplies, evacuation, and the loss of loved ones. These were not always evident to the children, however, who had the remarkable ability to bounce back and treat a disaster simply as a temporary break from games.
Pam Veale, Museum Education Officer, was influenced to encourage members to tell their stories from questions and comments made by school children during their organised visits to the Museum to research information on World War II. They often said that talking to members about their wartime experiences was the best bit of the visit. Many were surprised to find that the authors were now in their 70s and 80s, however, having read a short account beforehand of what they got up to as children in World War II. Wisdom comes with age!
Price £9.99 plus £2.50 p&p.
THE FLIXTON STORY (by Bob Cossey)
From the formation of the museum in 1972 with brief histories of each aircraft on display. Includes a short history of the military airfield nearby and resident U.S.A.A.F unit in WWII. Softcover, 52 pages, 21 pages with photographs. UK price £4.00 (includes p&p).
COLONEL TURNER’S DEPARTMENT (by Huby Fairhead)
An illustrated booklet containing memoirs of the RAF men who operated the secret Decoy Sites during World War II, constructed to lure enemy bombers away from genuine targets such as airfields, factories, freight yards, etc. Colonel Sir John Turner was in charge of the British Decoy and Deception schemes as an Air Ministry department with its HQ at the Sound City Film Studios at Shepperton in Middlesex. Ingenious methods were employed to deceive the enemy bombers. Softcover with 47 pages and some illustrations. Price £5.50 including p&p.
FLIXTON – COUNTRYSIDE, WAR AND A BOY (by Frederick Coles)
The fascinating story of a boy growing up in Flixton near Bungay in Suffolk, within the rural charms of the picturesque Waveney Valley. He describes with humorous anecdotes, what it was like for his parents and family to be working on the estate of the local landowning family; the arrival of World War II and the USAAF on the adjacent base, and the friendships created with American aircrew. The book is softcover with illustrations and is dedicated to the 446th Bomb Group USAAF. Price £9.30 including p&p.
AIRFIELDS OF NORFOLK & SUFFOLK (compiled and edited by Huby Fairhead and Roy Tuffen)
In seven parts, a detailed survey of aerodromes, airfields and airstrips that exist (or existed) in the two counties, with map references and fascinating histories. A4 format and contents range between 30 – 46 pages. Volume 1 is currently out of print but copies of Volumes 2 to 7 are available and priced £3.00 each including p&p. Each contains a selection of locations A-Z.
UNSUNG HEROES OF RAF AIR-SEA RESCUES (By Stephen Brewster Daniels)
This 20-page, illustrated booklet (produced in support of the museum) is an extract from Stephen Daniels book "Rescue From The Skies" first published in 1992. It has been produced as a small tribute to all who served at Royal Air Force Air-Sea Rescue Units all over the world - especially No.24 ASRU at Gorleston, Norfolk - and those who co-operated above ISBN 0-9540295-3-4
Price per copy £3.00 by post
Special Air-Sea Rescue Craft Print offer!
Set of 19 colour prints showing side-elevation of Air-Sea Rescue High Speed Launches, plus 1 b/w “Proposed Long Range Rescue Craft”. Ideal for framing, they measure 111/2” x 9” (292mm x 230mm). Craft featured: Nos. 100, 106, 107, 121, 128, 156, 164, 188, 194, 340, (Pinnace) 1250, 2507, 2543, 2564, 2595, (TTL) 2596, 2634, 2704, 2737.
Price £10 the set plus UK post £2.
THE LINE TROPHY - A COLLECTION OF AVIATION STORIES (Dave Moore)
The Museum celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 1997 and, to mark the occasion, a competition for short to medium length stories with an aviation theme was introduced. This annual competition has steadily attracted a growing number of entries to win for the successful author the coveted Line Trophy for a year. Dave Moore (the organiser) has made a selection of 44 from the many entries received and, if it is successful, he hopes to produce other volumes.
Line Shooting is old Service slang for someone recounting a story with embellishments to make them, or the event, appear more important or dramatic than in reality. The entries received, however, are certainly not for ridicule, although perhaps some might have been penned with “tongue in cheek”. Whatever, the events in question - some serious and others humorous but probably never before appearing in print - are now permanently documented for all to enjoy.
108 pages, softback. Price £3.90 plus 75p postage.
446TH REVISITED - THE STORY OF BROGGER’S BUNGAY BUCKAROOS
We have been fortunate to obtain a few new copies of this sought-after record of the 446 Bomb Group by Ed Castens, and can offer them at a bargain price. They will soon be available only through the second-hand market and at inflated prices.
The book was published under the auspices of the 446th Bomb Group Association. It is not a history - but a recording of some of the happenings experienced by men of Station 125 Bungay, wherever their duties took them. It runs to 350 pages with many illustrations, and includes a complete list of personnel who served in the unit.
Price per copy is £25 plus UK p&p of £7.00
John Rushmere was a visitor to the museum in August 2006 and has produced an entertaining 12-minute DVD of his time with us, and provided the commentary. Much of our collection was captured as he progressed through both hangars, all our themed buildings, and around the outdoor aircraft park. It is a great take-home memory for visitors, or provide an introduction to us if you have yet to make the journey to East Anglia. We are sure you will want to come once you have viewed it!
Price per copy is £5.99 plus UK p&p of 75p.
A GRAND AIRCRAFT (Geoff Hunt RSMA)
This is a signed, limited edition print (950 numbered copies), showing two Hawker Hurricane Mk1 aircraft of 257 Squadron over the Thames Estuary on 18 August 1940 during the Battle of Britain, at a time when the squadron was operating from Martlesham Heath, near Ipswich in Suffolk. In September 1940, at the height of the Battle, Squadron Leader Bob Stanford Tuck took over command of the squadron.
This colour print (measuring 534mm x 450mm overall) is signed by 6 pilots who flew operationally with 257 Squadron during the Battle of Britain: Peter Brothers, Ron Forward, Alan Hedges, Henry Hoyle, David Hunt and Reg Nutter. The principal aircraft in the picture (P3175) is exhibited in a wrecked state in the RAF Museum, Hendon. Major parts from the second aircraft (P3708) are being restored as a Hurricane exhibit at Flixton, with the proceeds from print sales going towards this project.
Price of the standard print signed by 6 pilots is £45 (incl. p&p but add £3 if outside the UK), supplied by post in a robust 7.5cm diameter cardboard tube. A Certificate of Authenticity is included.
(A small number of these prints have been signed by 40 Battle of Britain Hurricane pilots and are offered at £335 per copy. Details of this very special print can
be found on another website: http://www.waltonnaze.demon.co.uk/print/
Payment by cheque, made payable to The Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum. Overseas sales by prior arrangement only owing to postage costs. No credit card facility.
Send order with payment to:-
Net-Sales
Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum
The Street
Flixton
Bungay
NR35 1NZ
Shop enquiries. netsales@aviationmuseumfl.net