Amelia Earhart's Daughters - The Wild and Glorious Story of American Women Aviators from World War II to the Dawn of the Space Age by Leslie Haynsworth; David Toomey

$12.00 NZD

Category: Aviation | Reading Level: good

In 1942, with war raging on two fronts and military pilots in short supply, the U.S. Army Air Force enlisted a handful of skilled female aviators to deliver military planes from factories to air bases--expanding the successful program to include more than one thousand women. These superb pilots flew eve ry aircraft in the U.S. Army Air Force--including B-26s when men were afraid to--logging more than siz million miles in all kinds of weather. yet when World War II ended, their wartime heroism was left unheralded. In 1961, with the dawn of the space age, a handful of top female pilots took part in a new program termed "Women in Space." Subjected to the same rigorous tests as the Mercury astronauts, thirteen women--top-notch pilots--were admitted to the program. Once again women had reason to dream...that at least oneof them would be the first of their sex in space. The matter went as far as Congress, where dramatic hearings included testimony from astronauts John Glenn and Scott Carpenter. But their hopes were dashed. These skilled aviators had the "right stuff" at the wrong time, and again women were denied their place in history. This is their story, one of courage, ferocity, adn patriotism. ...Show more

The First: The Walsh Brothers and the Aeroplane Days of Edwardian New Zealand by Terry Moyle

$25.00 NZD

Category: Aviation | Reading Level: near fine

For the first time the true story of New Zealand's first successful aeroplane flights and the people behind them. Extensive research provides new understanding of historic events and corrects more than a hundred years of history with a starting account of what really happened in 1911 and how Manurewa, t he first aeroplane to fly, became 'lost'. Considered New Zealands 'Wright brothers' Leo and Vivian Walsh were part of a small group of remarkable men and women pioneering motorised transport in the 1900's. The First is the compelling story of a generation including well-known Edwardians, George Henning, Reuben Dexter and the missing early years of international Art Deco designer, Keith Murray. The author does not neglect the careers of the Walsh sisters Veronica and Doreen with their connections to women aviators Jean Batten, and Gladys Henning-Sandford, radio pioneer Aunt Daisy and Evelyn Purchas, likely the first New Zealand woman in active service to lose her life in World war One. The First addresses tobacco cultivation and manufactoring in the 1870's, the Victorian bicycle craze, the first motorcars, the Glenora Park Flights and the upheaval of war then its aftermath when aeroplane flight would be experienced bu ordinary New Zealanders.   Terry Moyle's dedication to identifying and dating historic photographs and searching for never-before-seen images complement an authoritative text. As with his previous titles, Art Deco Airports and Art Deco New Zealand, masterly illustration by Rosie Louise and amazing maps instill the spirit of the age in this important history book. ...Show more

Spitfire Girl: My Life in the Sky by Jackie Moggridge

$12.00 NZD

Category: Aviation | Reading Level: very good

'We had returned to a different world. We had taken off in peace at nine-thirty and landed in war at noon.' Jackie Moggridge was just nineteen when World War Two broke out. Determined to do her bit, she joined the Air Transport Auxiliary. Ferrying aircraft from factory to frontline was dangerous work, b ut there was also fun, friendship and even love in the air. At last the world was opening up to women...or at least it seemed to be. From her first flight at fifteen to smuggling Spitfires into Burma, Jackie describes the trials and tribulations, successes and frustrations of her life in the sky. ...Show more

The Mint A day-book of the RAF Depot between August and December 1922 with later notes by 352087 A/c Ross by T. E. Lawrence

$25.00 NZD

Category: Military | Reading Level: good-verygood

Night After Night: New Zealanders in Bomber Command by Max Lambert

$25.00 NZD

Category: Aviation | Reading Level: very good

While the fighter aces in their Hurricanes and Spitfires have had their WW2 exploits well celebrated, most of us know much less about the contribution made by thousands of New Zealanders who fought and died in what proved to be one of England’s most potent weapons - Bomber Command. In this detaile d history, full of facts, figures, names, anecdotes and both humorous and harrowing examples, Night After Night is a deeply moving account provided by survivors, family members, colleagues and fellow serviceman. "Lambert writes well, neatly blending a narrative of Bomber Command's actions with those of its New Zealand contingent. His facts are reliable, based on the meticulous researches of Errol Martyn and other good sources. Though he is rightly proud of our airmen, he does not pretend that they were all heroes or in any way superior to other airmen. Their collective achievement needs only an accurate, detailed record, and this Lambert has provided." - The Dominion Post ...Show more

Mayday! - A History of Flight Through Its Martyrs, Oddballs, and Daredevils by David Darling

$8.00 NZD

Category: Aviation | Reading Level: very good

In a world without aircraft, to believe flight might be possible required a certain kind of character. You had to be starry-eyed, a possessor of practical ingenuity, nerves of steel and a level of sanity that would be best described as deficient. In Mayday!, David Darling tells the stories of the uncon ventional aviators across history who have been willing to risk all to further their craft. Meet Sophie Blanchard, a balloonist of nervous disposition whom Napoleon charged with organizing balloon displays at all major ceremonies in France. Then there's the daredevil stuntman Lincoln Beachey, the dogfighter aces of WWI, the man who performed the dance of death - switching planes in mid-air, the real "X-Men" who flew at the edge of space, and the BASE jumpers who want to fly without wings. The cast are eccentric, reckless and extraordinary, and Mayday! is made up of their riveting tales, bizarre contraptions, magnificent achievements and, sometimes, startling folly. ...Show more

Amelia Earhart's Shoes - Is the Mystery Solved? by Thomas F. King; Randall S. Jacobson; Kenton Spading

$15.00 NZD

Category: Aviation | Reading Level: very good

This text investigates the disappearance of Amelia Earhart and her co-pilot Fred Noonan using the methods of modern science. A team of scientists use modern scientific techniques to examine evidence on Earhart's disappearance. Using archaeological survey; global positioning systems; remote sensing; fore nsics; a variety of laboratory analyses; and extensive archival research and interviewing, previous theories have been challenged and the search has been narrowed to the Pacific Island of Nikumaroro where increasing evidence points to the pilots having landed and perished. ...Show more

The Big Book of Flight by Rowland White

$20.00 NZD

Category: Aviation | Reading Level: very good

Everybody dreams of flying. For as long as we've been able to look up and see the birds we've wanted to join them. But our efforts to do so have not always been as elegant or accomplished. Instead, there's been danger, excitement, courage and brilliance. The Big Book of Flight is a celebration of it all , and a lot more besides, packed with derring-do stories of aviation's pioneers as well as fascinating profiles of remarkable planes, from Spitfires to Space Shuttles (and a number of other wondrous projects that never quite got off the drawing board). Along with a unique collection of fantastic flight trivia, crucial questions are also addressed: What's so scary about the Bermuda Triangle? Why does airline food taste so bad? And how do you make the perfect paper dart? With stunning photographs and illustrations throughout, The Big Book of Flight promises to surprise, entertain and fire the imaginations of anyone with their head in the clouds. ...Show more

Impact Erebus by Gordon Vette and John Macdonald

$35.00 NZD

Category: Aviation | Reading Level: very good

Head in the Clouds by Godfrey Nugent Wells

$20.00 NZD

Category: Aviation | Reading Level: good to very good

Rescue Below Zero by Ian Mackersey

$25.00 NZD

Category: Arctic | Reading Level: good

Straight on Till Morning: The Life of Beryl Markham by Mary S. Lovell

$14.00 NZD

Category: Aviation

Born in England and raised in Kenya, Beryl Markham was a notorious beauty. She trained race horses and had scandalous affairs, but she is most remembered for being a pioneering aviatrix. She became the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean and the first person to make it from London to New York nonsto p. In Mary S. Lovell's definitive biography, Beryl takes on new life--vividly portrayed by a master biographer whose knowledge of her subject is unparalleled. ...Show more