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Flight Recorder Publications |
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The Long Drag A Short History of British Target Towing |
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by Don Evans |
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Reviewed By Paul Bradley, #35554 |
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MSRP: $16.99 USD Not exactly a hot topic amongst aviation enthusiasts, but a very necessary task, is the mission of target towing. Often regarded as a dull chore by those assigned to it, target towing helps hone the skills of front line pilots in the art of air-to-air gunnery. This new book from Flight Recorder Publications explores the world of target towing from the British angle and is told by a former WWII target winch operator, Don Evans. This is a short history indeed, as the book is just 68 pages, but author Evans manages to pack a lot of information into that space, and a goodly number of photographs too. Not a complete history as it does not review the numerous units involved in this task, it is more a review of the evolution of target towing in Britain. As such, Evans divides his work into a number of chapters, each dealing with a different aspect of the subject. Thus we find sections on, for example, sleeve targets, target winches and target exchanging. Evans writes from long experience with the subject, having been a winch operator during World War II and later in the Towed Target Development Section at the RAF’s test division at Boscombe Down. Consequently, his style is both anecdotal and technical, though never uninteresting. While the task was less than glamorous, the aircraft assigned to it were colorful to say the least and this is reflected in the great shot of a Canberra TT.18 gracing the cover. Within the book are 114 photos of aircraft and equipment, plus 27 full color profiles of various target tugs from artist M. D. Howley of Scale Aircraft Modeling fame. As the author states at the start of the chapter devoted to the aircraft, “it seems probable that well over half of the aircraft types used by the British Armed Forces since 1930 have… been used for target towing in one form or another.” There is plenty of material here for an unusual model, or for those with, for example, the Classic Airframes Defiant or Battle target tugs. Personally, I am attracted to the Canberra TT.18 resplendent in yellow and black striped undersides and Dayglo bands and I have an Airfix Canberra to hand that I can convert. Not perhaps the most exciting subject, but interesting nevertheless, this book will appeal to those who specialize in the unusual and can be recommended to anyone who wishes to build something “different.” This book is obtainable from Specialty Press in the US. Call 1(800) 895 4585 for details and to order (Add $4.95 for shipping), or visit their website at www.specialtypress.com. Our sincere thanks to them for the review sample. |
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