Midland Counties Publications

Farnborough: 100 Years of British Aviation

by  Peter J Cooper

Reviewed By  Paul Bradley, IPMS# 35554

MSRP: $44.95 Ask most British aviation enthusiasts about Farnborough and you will probably get a misty gaze in return as they reminisce about the bi-annual airshow that features the latest and greatest in the aviation trade. However, there is so much more to this iconic airfield than that. As the "birthplace" of British aviation, Farnborough is synonymous with experimental and test flying, work that continues to this day. There again, it has also been an important military base, and has a new civil terminal as well. In addition, it is now host to an important museum. Author Peter Cooper is well versed in the history of Farnborough, having worked there all his life and his father before him. He is now heavily involved in the on-site museum and has access to all the key records from this airfield. From these elements he has created a marvelous book. Cooper follows two strands within the book. The first is a chapter-by-chapter review of successive decades; the second takes a look at individual units and institutions that called Farnborough home over the years. These chapters are alternated - this is a good idea, as a straight chronological history could have been quite intense. Interspersing interesting and informative chapters on units such as the Empire Test Pilots School and the Royal Aircraft Establishment keep the reader engaged. Cooper's writing is engaging and lucid; his son edits a well-known aviation magazine. Photographs, of which there are almost 400, are well chosen from both museum and private archives, many of which have not been published before, and are excellently reproduced as one might expect from Midland Counties. My favorite photos are those of the classic 1950's Farnborough Airshows - when Britain had a thriving aircraft industry. This is an important book; covering as is does a vital part of British aviation history. It is also very readable and admirably illustrated. I have no hesitation is recommending it. This book is available from Specialty Press and leading aviation book retailers. Please visit their website, www.specialtypress.com, for ordering details. Our sincere thanks to them for the review sample.

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