Titled after the wartime nickname for the part of North Korea that was the epicentre of a bitter struggle for air superiority over the Korean Peninsula, MiG Alley offers an in-depth analysis of the US Air Force’s war in Korea, packed with interesting and exciting personal stories based on first-person testimony from both American and Soviet sources.
Following the end of the Korean War, the prevailing myth in the West was that of the absolute supremacy of US Air Force pilots and aircraft over their Soviet-supplied opponents. The claims of the 10:1 victory-loss ratio achieved by the US Air Force fighter pilots flying the North American F-86 Sabre against their communist adversaries, among other such fabrications, went unchallenged until the end of the Cold War, when Soviet records of the conflict were finally opened.
Packed with first-hand accounts and covering the full range of US Air Force activities over Korea, MiG Alley brings the war vividly to life and the record is finally set straight on a number of popular fabrications. Thomas McKelvey Cleaver expertly threads together US and Russian sources to reveal the complete story of this bitter struggle in the Eastern skies.
The Olympic Airways story has fascinated Graham M. Simons for many years. This new book represents the culmination of decades spent researching the history of this fascinating Greek airline. It is a story of evolution, conflict, personality and politics, all set against a backdrop of world and civil wars, coups and counter-coups.During the course of his research, it became apparent to the author that many of the fine details pertaining to the company weren’t widely known, although almost everyone had heard of the towering, controversial, leading figurehead who oversaw much of the central part of the story: Aristotle Socrates Onassis. His colorful life is threaded through this history, lending it drama and multiple levels of intrigue.The airline’s story cannot be told in isolation. Olympic did not spring fully formed into being in 1957. The named company may have come into being then, but its roots were set much further back in history through a number of predecessor airlines – both national and international – who had been using the Hellenic Republic and Athina as the crossroads of the air for the Eastern Mediterranean since the dawn of aviation.This is the story of the birth and dramatic life of an airline with a chequered, controversial and complicated history. Graham M. Simons has skilfully woven all the various threads to create a powerful and important historic record.
These Desired Things, Steve Matchett’s much anticipated fourth book, is a stimulating, philosophical offering; a tour de force in creative writing. Although, defining the book’s genre seems largely superfluous, for its immersive, lyrical text is part fiction, part memoire, part autobiography. Complete with a suitably insightful foreword by Manish Pandey (writer of SENNA – the movie) and with its chapters illustrated throughout by the visually enthralling artwork of Renée French, Matchett’s new book is both engaging and exceptionally pleasing on the eye.The chapters of the work are presented as a collection of eleven short stories: all of them varying in their individual plots, their settings and their style, yet all of them remain essential elements of the whole; for running through each is a series of subtle, uniting threads. And through Matchett’s captivating telling of these affectionate tales, the author’s (already renowned) written ‘voice’ attains a whole other level of intimacy: The reader feels truly bonded to the writer’s emotions.It is also encouraging to note, These Desired Things is no continuation of the author’s previous works: Matchett’s F1 trilogy stands complete. This latest book, therefore, represents a refreshing new mission. Indeed, by introducing to us his pair of delightful (if mysterious) fictional characters, creations so readily brought to life by the author in two of this book’s short stories – The Chestnut Tree and The Shadows Cast of Candlelight – it seems that Matchett is already laying out his plans for a future novel.Undoubtedly, the diversity of all eleven stories – and the inimitable style of the storytelling – is sure to introduce a whole new readership to Matchett’s writing. That said, the author has been most careful to include stories that will appeal to those already familiar with his earlier books – those readers with a knowledge and passion for Formula 1 motor racing. And, most likely, these same passionate readers will be moved to tears on reaching the closing lines of the book’s penultimate chapter, Breaking Bread with Ayrton Senna.Steve Matchett gives abridged readings of this truly atmospheric story during his public appearances, his after-dinner events. Now, however, for the first time in print, this most endearing homage to the fallen, three-time world champion driver, Ayrton Senna, is presented in its full, unabridged form.
In October, 1970, The Blue Flame rocket car screamed across the Bonneville Salt Flats at 622.407 mph setting the absolute world land speed record. The title held fast for 13 years and remains the fastest American-built car in history. Ray Dausman designed the rocket engine for The Blue Flame. Why wasn’t he present when The Blue Flame set the world record? Why didn’t the car achieve 1,000 mph as he designed it to do? Ray’s story unfolds with humorous observations of what it was like to be a fish out of water in the racing world. The reader has a front row seat for this wrestling match between regret and perspective of achievement. Sarah, Ray’s daughter, shares his story in this memoir of a man with a passion for rockets and new ideas. The Reluctant Rocketman introduces the reader to a boy with a thirst for new adventures who develops a passion for rockets as he reaches adulthood with an even greater appreciation for new ideas. The Blue Flame project is the common thread throughout these chapters which shed light on the life a self-taught rocket designer who had to decide if the price of invention was worth it after all.
200,000 kilometres in 3,000 days across five continents. Or in other words, just 66 kilometres a day on average – which is quite enough for a 30-year-old Land Rover.
Amidst the Scottish Highlands, battered by the elements, stands a neglected Land Rover. It does not seem to be the ideal vehicle for a trip around the world, but Christopher Many believes otherwise. He has the dream of embarking on a tour de force to the frozen wastelands of Siberia, North and South America, and across the continent of Africa – equipped with little more than a passport, credit card and full tank of petrol. His goal? “To explore strange new worlds and boldly go where no Land Rover has gone before.”
Intelligently and with perseverance, Christopher scours the globe from Mongolia to Somaliland to find out what makes the earth “tick”. Soon enough the adventure turns into a sprawling n-dimensional tapestry of philosophical conundrums, rollercoaster emotions and first-hand observations in 100 countries. When he pulls on a few loose threads, a Pandora’s box of information is released, often at odds with conventional Western views. Christopher returns eight years later – exhausted, snake-bitten and malaria-infected – but with a few prized cogwheels in his knapsack, a greater understanding of the world we live in, and … with the love of his life.
Equal parts sophisticated lexicon on global affairs and darkly witty travel chronicle, his book presents a vivid picture of the adventures, agonies and joys of world travel, and asks some very “uncomfortable” questions … truly going “where few have gone before”.
Take a ride in Matilda’s passenger seat next to this vagabonding philosopher, provided you are not in a rush …
“Blue Ray DVD
Let’s Go to the Reno Air Races DVD
The next best thing to being there
If there are children in your life who love the sights, sounds, and thrill of airplanes, then Let’s Go to the Reno Air Races is guaranteed to delight them. This high-quality video production brings front-and-center excitement right into your home, and it also provides aviation education that feels like fun and entertainment.
Our cameras provide high-definition, crystal-clear images that make you feel as if you’re right where the action is. You’ll see:
The majesty of great vintage airplanes as they move around the ramp
The awe of massive radial and Merlin engines roaring to life
Up-close-and-personal runway views of Formula One and Biplane aircraft
Rarely seen views of the T6-Class as they roar around the racing pylons
Unique shots of the Jet Class and Unlimited racers as they thread the pylons on the 8-mile course
Dramatic take-offs, taxiing, and landings
Let’s Go to the Reno Air Races also features interviews with top pilots in each of the racing classes. They share what it’s like to race each of these planes and explain how you, or your kids, can one day be a participant in the world’s fastest motorsport. They also offer information about airports and aviation in general, such as the purpose of a windsock and the meaning of the numbers and letters next to the runway.
This video takes you inside the races and gives you information and exciting visuals like no other production available today. If you combine this DVD with the official Reno Air Race DVD, you’ll have a great complement of entertainment and education that you can enjoy over and over again.
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