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Ballantine's Illustrated History of World War II / the Violent Century: Weapons Book #24
Mosquito: Wooden Wonder
Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso
- GenresHistory
160 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1971
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 31, 2020
Edward Bishop's Mosquito:Wooden Wonder is an interesting and breezily readable mix of a regular history of a beloved aircraft type, and an oral history of Mossie Missions from each of her "specialties". Invented by the De Haviland company and developed on its own budgets(at first), the Mosquito was first developed as a real fast bomber. Needing to preserve vital war resources, and wanting to find new uses for older industries, Sir Geoffrey De Havilland the designer, and his son of the same name , the test pilot, succeeded in building an airframe of wood- that would fly fast than all but the speediest fighters. Then they married up the British furniture industry to a supply of Rolls Royce Merlin Engines- and a legend was born. As the aircraft come on line in late 1942- First Bombers, then Photo-Reconnaissance, then day, then night fighters, then Coastal Command U-Boat Killers... Bishop takes us through the story as each RAF Command came to understand that Speed Kills- or Saves your life and mission- whatever that is- and that a really stable fast moving gun platform is just so dang useful in a war. It's a breezy tale with lots of delightful chaps telling daring escapades.
Bishop likes to tell Mission stories, and is less concerned with the development of the variants and their doctrine than he is with getting into the cockpit and telling a ripping yarn, so those who want more formality may want to look elsewhere- but I was quite happy to hear it his way. In his telling, the "Mossie" was the cure for all RAF ills- and clearly the weapon that won the war. I think most readers will enjoy his enthusiasm for his story, but add just a touch of salt. It WAS amazing that a small two engine aircraft could carry so many bombs so accurately. This is after all, the aircraft they would send to spark jail breaks in Gestapo lockups, bombing specific walls to free allies. And it WAS amazing that the aircraft was built of wood- letting a whole forgotten industry contribute to the war effort. I was hoping for more complete history- but who can resist RAF types and mission recaps- a more fun read.
Straightforward prose, few adult themes, and little or no gory bits make this a fine book for a nine year old-which is what I was when I first read it. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast, a bit of a mixed haul. The Gamer gets lots of mission types and stories for scenarios- if you play night Fighter or Bomb Mission games- and great b/w pics, line drawing and maps that will work for the Modeler too. The Military Enthusiast will love the oral history part , and the discussion of the breadth of missions the type could handle- but will probably want more of the military and industrial underpinnings of the whole Mosquito program. Bishop wants to jump into the cockpit as soon as the Mossie gets operational- and I think many will want to follow the program at a more executive and procurement level. But hey- that will keep me searching for more books on the topic- so it's not a bad thing.
Bishop likes to tell Mission stories, and is less concerned with the development of the variants and their doctrine than he is with getting into the cockpit and telling a ripping yarn, so those who want more formality may want to look elsewhere- but I was quite happy to hear it his way. In his telling, the "Mossie" was the cure for all RAF ills- and clearly the weapon that won the war. I think most readers will enjoy his enthusiasm for his story, but add just a touch of salt. It WAS amazing that a small two engine aircraft could carry so many bombs so accurately. This is after all, the aircraft they would send to spark jail breaks in Gestapo lockups, bombing specific walls to free allies. And it WAS amazing that the aircraft was built of wood- letting a whole forgotten industry contribute to the war effort. I was hoping for more complete history- but who can resist RAF types and mission recaps- a more fun read.
Straightforward prose, few adult themes, and little or no gory bits make this a fine book for a nine year old-which is what I was when I first read it. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast, a bit of a mixed haul. The Gamer gets lots of mission types and stories for scenarios- if you play night Fighter or Bomb Mission games- and great b/w pics, line drawing and maps that will work for the Modeler too. The Military Enthusiast will love the oral history part , and the discussion of the breadth of missions the type could handle- but will probably want more of the military and industrial underpinnings of the whole Mosquito program. Bishop wants to jump into the cockpit as soon as the Mossie gets operational- and I think many will want to follow the program at a more executive and procurement level. But hey- that will keep me searching for more books on the topic- so it's not a bad thing.
January 18, 2026
Great book about the De Havilland Mosquito fighter, fighter-bomber, medium bomber, bomber escort, photo reconnaissance aircraft. Not too much on the technical side, this book is replete with anecdotes about combat operations against Germany.
Very exciting to read all the thrilling sorties, but sad to discover that so many of the pilots & navigators perished along the way.
Recommended!
Very exciting to read all the thrilling sorties, but sad to discover that so many of the pilots & navigators perished along the way.
Recommended!
January 2, 2020
A fabulous potted history of the de Havilland Mosquito aircraft, from slightly bewildered support for its initiation and development, to the ultimate proof of concept in various theatres of war around the world.
Some superb B&W photos, excellent anecdotes and first-hand accounts of the trials and tribulations of flying one of the most extraordinary aircraft of more modern aviation history – a wooden framed, twin engine bomber.
As well served slice of the second world war, from an unusual perspective.
Some superb B&W photos, excellent anecdotes and first-hand accounts of the trials and tribulations of flying one of the most extraordinary aircraft of more modern aviation history – a wooden framed, twin engine bomber.
As well served slice of the second world war, from an unusual perspective.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews