The Millionaires' Squadron

The Remarkable Story of 601 Squadron and the Flying Sword

Nonfiction, History, Military, Aviation
Cover of the book The Millionaires' Squadron by Tom Moulson, Pen and Sword
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Tom Moulson ISBN: 9781473838475
Publisher: Pen and Sword Publication: July 8, 2014
Imprint: Pen and Sword Aviation Language: English
Author: Tom Moulson
ISBN: 9781473838475
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication: July 8, 2014
Imprint: Pen and Sword Aviation
Language: English

Imagined by an aristocrat in White's Club, London in 1925, a part-time squadron of wealthy young men with their own private aircraft was incorporated into a newly-established combat-ready Auxiliary Air Force, first as bombers, then fighters. The pre-war years combined serious training with frivolity and mischief, but the outbreak of war in 1939 changed that. Despite their social rank the pilots were thrust into the heart of the action, with mortality proving to be the great social leveler. From privileged pre-war lifestyles to front line deployment the lives of those who survived underwent radical change. Through the battles of Britain, Malta, the African desert and Italy the squadron's composition was transformed, and by war's end only a minority were British and none were millionaires. Britain had changed too, and the re-formed squadron filled with a combination of veterans and young middle-class ex-service pilots. The pilots flew Hurricanes in the Battle of Britain, and Spitfires thereafter until the arrival of jets in the '50s; DH Vampires and Gloster Meteors. The one aircraft they could not master was the little-loved mid-engine P-39 Bell Airacobra in 1941. Disbandment in 1957 of the by-then 'Royal' Auxiliary Air Force was fiercely resisted, but inevitable.

Originally published in 1964 to great acclaim, this second edition features a wealth of brand new content in the form of newly uncovered documentation and photo illustrations. It is set to bring the story of this eccentric and dynamic squadron to a whole new audience of aviation and military enthusiasts.

As seen in the Western Morning News and Epping Forest Guardian.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Imagined by an aristocrat in White's Club, London in 1925, a part-time squadron of wealthy young men with their own private aircraft was incorporated into a newly-established combat-ready Auxiliary Air Force, first as bombers, then fighters. The pre-war years combined serious training with frivolity and mischief, but the outbreak of war in 1939 changed that. Despite their social rank the pilots were thrust into the heart of the action, with mortality proving to be the great social leveler. From privileged pre-war lifestyles to front line deployment the lives of those who survived underwent radical change. Through the battles of Britain, Malta, the African desert and Italy the squadron's composition was transformed, and by war's end only a minority were British and none were millionaires. Britain had changed too, and the re-formed squadron filled with a combination of veterans and young middle-class ex-service pilots. The pilots flew Hurricanes in the Battle of Britain, and Spitfires thereafter until the arrival of jets in the '50s; DH Vampires and Gloster Meteors. The one aircraft they could not master was the little-loved mid-engine P-39 Bell Airacobra in 1941. Disbandment in 1957 of the by-then 'Royal' Auxiliary Air Force was fiercely resisted, but inevitable.

Originally published in 1964 to great acclaim, this second edition features a wealth of brand new content in the form of newly uncovered documentation and photo illustrations. It is set to bring the story of this eccentric and dynamic squadron to a whole new audience of aviation and military enthusiasts.

As seen in the Western Morning News and Epping Forest Guardian.

More books from Pen and Sword

Cover of the book Naval Air by Tom Moulson
Cover of the book Discovering Classical Music: Chopin by Tom Moulson
Cover of the book M4 Sherman by Tom Moulson
Cover of the book In the Name of Lykourgos by Tom Moulson
Cover of the book Armies of the Hellenistic States 323 BC - AD 30 by Tom Moulson
Cover of the book Discovering Classical Music: Bach by Tom Moulson
Cover of the book Wellington's Eastern Front by Tom Moulson
Cover of the book Britannia’s Daughters by Tom Moulson
Cover of the book Die Hard, Aby! by Tom Moulson
Cover of the book Isle of Thanet in the Great War by Tom Moulson
Cover of the book Jungle Warfare by Tom Moulson
Cover of the book The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle Illustrated and Annotated by Tom Moulson
Cover of the book Tracing Your British Indian Ancestors by Tom Moulson
Cover of the book The Welsh at War by Tom Moulson
Cover of the book United States Army Armored Divisions of the Second World War by Tom Moulson
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy