RAF BBMF IN PROFILE

RAF BBMF IN PROFILE
by Chris Sandham-Bailey.

One of the biggest things I miss since leaving my home county of Lincolnshire is the sights & sounds of the variety of flying aircraft. Living & working near RAF airbases always brought tremendous joy to me as an aircraft enthusiast.
The Red Arrows practicing, the AWACS & Typhoons doing circuits & of course in the summer months, that sound of merlin & griffon engines would have me dashing out of the house trying to catch a fleeting glimpse.
So a chance to review a book on the history of the BBMF & that of its many aircraft, is a real thrill.

On opening the book, the first sight of the incredible photography was an instant sign of great things to come.
The introduction & brief history of the BBMF & how it came to be, sets the book up perfectly for the reader to be introduced to all the aircraft. 

All the Spitfires & Hurricanes, the Lancaster, Dakota & Chipmunk that make up the BBMF feature in their own individual chapters. 
These chapters provide the history of each aircraft, along with the author's own fantastic illustrations of every colour scheme that each individual aircraft ever wore. Some of these schemes might only have been temporary if, for example, they were used in any film productions.
At the risk of repeating myself, the visual history of each aircraft includes wonderful photography, including many older photos as well as those taken whilst flying with the BBMF.
At the rear of the book the author has created a very useful timeline for each aircraft. Here the reader can check the history of each aircraft against any year since its manufacture. 

This book is of the highest quality in all regards. From the wonderful photography & illustrations, to the fascinating narrative & timelines that reveal the aircraft's stories.
I really cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is certainly one all its readers & aviation fans will cherish.

* Amongst the six Spitfires is MK356. Tragically just a few months ago this aircraft crashed near to RAF Coningsby, killing the pilot Squadron Leader Mark Long. I send my condolences to his family, friends & colleagues. 

The hardback book is published by Tempest Books & is available from their website, 
www.mortonbooks.co.uk
I thank them for this review copy.


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