Peter Caygill: 11 books
Lightning from the Cockpit
Flying the Supesonic Legend
Language: English
Release Date: September 19, 2004
The English Electric Lightning was the only single-seat supersonic interceptor fighter designed and manufactured in the UK. It saw service with the RAF in the sixties and seventies and gained a worthy reputation for its speed ( in excess of Mach 2 ) and phenomenal rate of climb. It was, however, a...
Phantom from the Cockpit
Flying the Legend
Language: English
Release Date: March 19, 2006
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom was the outstanding aircraft in many of the Western World's air forces during the 1960s and 70s. It played a key role in the 'Cold War' and saw action in Vietnam. It first flew in 1958 and went into operation with the US Navy in 1960. During its long front-line life...
Lightning Eject
The Dubious Safety Record of Britain’s Only Supersonic Fighter
Language: English
Release Date: January 19, 2013
The English Electric Lightning entered RAF squadron service in 1960 and continued flying in the interceptor role until 1988. It had a stunning world-beating performance with a top speed in excess of Mach 2 and a climb rate that would take it to 40,000 feet in a little over 3 minutes. The aircraft’s...
Sound Barrier
The Rocky Road to MACH 1.0+
Language: English
Release Date: October 30, 2006
As the speed of early aircraft gradually increased there eventually became an awareness during the 1940's, that strange things were occurring at around 500mph. Many later WW2 fighter aircraft were reported to become dangerously uncontrollable in high-speed power dives. Pilot's and aircraft designers...
Javelin from the Cockpit
Britain’s First Delta Wing Fighter
Language: English
Release Date: February 29, 2012
The Gloster Javelin was designed to be a night/all-weather fighter. It was first introduced into RAF service in 1956 and was retired in 1967. It was a large two-man, twin-engined and delta-winged aircraft. Although extremely rugged in construction pilots were banned from spinning as test flights had...
The Biggin Hill Wing 1941
From Defence to Attack
Language: English
Release Date: October 30, 2008
This book is an in-depth study of England’s most famous fighter station during the year of the Battle of Britain. It looks at the political upheaval within Fighter Command that saw the removal of Dowding and Park and their replacement by Sholto Douglas and Leigh-Mallory. The ongoing ‘Big Wing’...
Flying to the Limit
Testing World War II Single-engined Fighter Aircraft
Language: English
Release Date: November 19, 2005
During the years preceding and during WW2, the RAF and the Royal Aircraft Establishment were responsible for the selection and procurement of British military aircraft and also to evaluate their capabilities against captured enemy models whenever possible. During the lend-lease agreement with the...
In All Things First
No. 1 Squadron at War 1939 - 45
Language: English
Release Date: March 10, 2010
'In All Thing’s First' looks in detail at 1 Squadron during the Second World War with particular emphasis on the pilots and its operational activities. 1 Squadron was active from a very early stage when it flew to France on 8 September 1939 as part of the Advanced Air Striking Force and played a...
Flying the Buccaneer
Britains Cold War Warrior
Language: English
Release Date: July 15, 2008
Originally conceived as a carrier-born maritime attack aircraft, the Blackburn design included many original features such as Boundary Layer Control, a system which blew hot air over the flying surfaces to increase lift when landing.
Meteor from the Cockpit
Britain's First Jet Fighter
Language: English
Release Date: October 11, 2010
The Meteor is remembered as the first British jet fighter to enter squadron service and the only jet powered Allied fighter to see action in WW II. Subsequent development was limited as a result of its relatively conventional airframe although it did hold the world air speed record for a while. The...
by Caygill, Peter
Language: English
Release Date: October 19, 2006
Language: English
Release Date: October 19, 2006
The Spitfire is probably Britain's best loved and admired aeroplane. It is also revered around the world. This book looks at the later marques that were modified for various special tasks and differed to a large degree from Supermarine's first early versions that saw action in the early days of World...