{"title":"Books by Graham M Simons","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9780752467337","title":"Bristol Brabazon","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Brabazon – the name evokes the immediate post-war optimism of civil aviation. \u003c\/b\u003eThe giant airliner was built by Bristol Aircraft in 1949 to cross the Atlantic and serve the empire. However, the plane proved to be a commercial failure when airlines felt that it was too large and expensive to be useful. Large and luxurious, it carried only 60-80 passengers, and with a range of 5,000 miles, a 225ft wing span and eight engines buried in the wings with enough fuel to reach New York, the ‘100-ton bomber’ was more impressive and capable than the B-29: the ultimate passenger airliner was born. Now, with previously unpublished material and illustrations from the original \u003ci\u003eBristol Brabazon \u003c\/i\u003esales brochure, among other sources, the Brabazon’s 1930s-style elegance is displayed once again, celebrating its design, construction and sheer luxury. A fitting outcome for such a paragon of post-war optimism and an aircraft still considered by many to be the foremost in propeller-driven civil aviation.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56297737847157,"sku":"9780752467337","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780752467337_fb38f87b-0dd3-4187-8229-456c2a46384f.jpg?v=1786016428"},{"product_id":"9781399019651","title":"Consolidated B-24 Liberator","description":"The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was almost certainly the most versatile Second World War Bomber. Apart from its bombing role in all theatres of operation, the B-24 hauled fuel to France during the push towards Germany, carried troops, fought U-boats in the Atlantic and, probably most important of all, made a vital contribution towards winning the war in the Pacific. Its most famous single exploit is possibly the raid on the Ploesti oilfields in August 1943.   The B-24 ended World War Two as the most produced Allied heavy bomber in history, and the most produced American military aircraft at over 18,000 units, thanks in large measure to Henry Ford and the harnessing of American industry. It still holds the distinction as the most produced American military aircraft. The B-24 was used by several Allied air forces and navies, and by every branch of the American armed forces during the war, attaining a distinguished war record with its operations in the Western European, Pacific, Mediterranean and China-Burma-India theatres. This book focuses on the design, engineering, development and tactical use of the many variants throughout the bombers service life. The overall result is, as David Lee, the former Deputy Director of the Imperial War Museum at Duxford said upon reading the final manuscript, to be acquainted with  all you never knew about the B-24!The book is enlivened by the many dramatic photographs which feature, and this coupled with the clarity of Simons' prose makes for an engaging and entertaining history of this iconic Allied bomber, a key component in several of their biggest victories and a marvel of military engineering","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56298695852405,"sku":"9781399019651","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781399019651_a1581e70-e701-473a-bbb7-cc6a1762df93.jpg?v=1786019799"},{"product_id":"9781399085175","title":"De Havilland Enterprises: A History","description":"Captain Sir Geoffrey de Havilland was one of the world's true pioneers of powered flight, a man as important to Britain in aviation terms as the Wright brothers were to America. From humble beginnings, he went on to develop some of the finest aircraft to see action during the First World War, before going on to create the illustrious company that bore his name. All of this began in his youth when, without experience, plans or instructions, he embarked on the ambitious task of not only building his very first flying machine, but also constructing the engine to power it.   This book explores the influences and milestones of his early years before going on to examine his company, The De Havilland Aircraft Company Limited, in detail. Amongst the momentous machines that he had a hand in creating were the Gipsy Moth and Tiger Moth - two iconic aircraft types destined to set a variety of aviation records whilst being piloted by de Havilland himself. Another highlight of the company's history saw the esteemed aviatrix Amy Johnson fly solo from England to Australia in a Gipsy Moth in 1930\\. The high-performance designs and monocoque wooden construction methods passed through the supremely elegant DH.91 Albatross into the Mosquito. The company then followed up these successes with the high-performing Hornet fighter, which pioneered the use of metal-wood and metal-metal bonding techniques, eventually resulting in the world's first jet airliner, the fabulous Comet.   Every one of De Havilland's products are listed and recorded in detail here, as are all the designs that never left the drawing board and the products of De Havilland's companies in Australia and Canada. Fully illustrated throughout, this volume is sure to be highly prized amongst serious collectors.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56298788356469,"sku":"9781399085175","price":18.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781399085175_251df63e-dfc6-4fa9-bac9-c8ec54edeb09.jpg?v=1786019840"},{"product_id":"9781473861343","title":"Boeing 707 Group: A History","description":"The Boeing 707 family - that includes the forerunner Model 367-80, the KC-135 series of military transports and the slightly smaller Model 720 - was the pioneer of the sweptback wing, incorporating podded engines borrowed from the B-47 military bomber. It was the aircraft that many regard as the design that really ushered in the Jet-Age.  This new book from the established aviation historian Graham Simons examines the entire course of the Boeing 707 s history, charting an impressive design evolution and illustrating the many ways in which the 707 s legacy continues to be felt to this day. In laying the foundation for Boeing's preeminence on the word s jetliner market during the 1980s and 90s, the 707 paved the way for future innovations in both civilian and military fields and Graham Simons has put together an image-packed history that records the historic and landmark milestones of this iconic aircraft type.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56300417220981,"sku":"9781473861343","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781473861343_e59f97f1-ec39-4dec-ac1d-9ad4099da5c4.jpg?v=1786020485"},{"product_id":"9781473822856","title":"Valkyrie","description":"During the 1950s, at the time Elvis Presley was rocking the world with Hound Dog and the USA was aiming to become the world’s only superpower, plans were being drawn at North American Aviation in Southern California for an incredible Mach-3 strategic bomber. The concept was born as a result of General Curtis LeMay’s desire for a heavy bomber with the weapon load and range of the subsonic B-52 and a top speed in excess of the supersonic medium bomber, the B-58 Hustler. If LeMay’s plans came to fruition there would be 250 Valkyries in the air; it would be the pinnacle of his quest for the ultimate strategic bomber operated by America’s Strategic Air Command. The design was a leap into the future that pushed the envelope in terms of exotic materials, avionics and power plants. However, in April 1961, Defense Secretary McNamara stopped the production go-ahead for the B-70 on grounds of rapid cost escalation and the USSR’s newfound ability of destroying aircraft at extremely high altitude by either missiles or the new Mig-25 fighter. Nevertheless, in 1963 plans for the production of three high-speed research aircraft were approved and construction proceeded. In September 1964 the first Valkyrie, now re-coded A\/V-1 took to the air for the first time and in October went supersonic.This book is the most detailed description of the design, engineering and research that went into this astounding aircraft. It is full of unpublished details, photographs and firsthand accounts from those closely associated with the project. Although never put into full production, this giant six engined aircraft became famous for its breakthrough technology, and the spectacular images captured on a fatal air-to-air photo shoot when an observing Starfighter collided with Valkyrie A\/V-2 which crashed into the Mojave Desert.The loss of the $750 million aircraft and two lives stopped future development, although there were several attempts to redesign it as an airliner to compete against the European Concorde.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56301474414965,"sku":"9781473822856","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781473822856_5afe83ca-af5c-44e4-8f36-1c392964ae81.jpg?v=1786020420"},{"product_id":"9781526787316","title":"Convair B-36 Peacemaker","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe story of the Consolidated B-36 is unique in American aviation history. The aircraft was an interesting blend of concepts proven during the Second World War combined with budding 1950s high-tech systems. The program survived near-cancellation on six separate occasions during an extremely protracted development process. It was also the symbol of a bitter inter-service rivalry between the newly-formed US Air Force and the well-established US Navy over which of which of the two organizations would control the delivery of atomic weapons during the early years of the Cold War.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEntering service in 1948, the B-36 was a remarkable design. It was the largest mass-produced piston-engine aircraft ever built, having the longest wingspan of any combat aircraft in history. Importantly, in terms of the developing Cold War at least, the B-36 was the first bomber capable of delivering any of the weapons in America’s nuclear arsenal without modification. To achieve this part of its role, the Peacemaker had an operational range of 10,000 miles, being capable of intercontinental flight without refueling. It is difficult to imagine a modern aircraft remaining airborne for two days without refueling – but such missions were relatively routine for the B-36 crews. while there were, at the time of its service, questions around its flight speed, the Peacemaker flew so high that this was considered of little concern – few fighters of its era could reach the same altitudes, and operational surface-to-air missiles were still in the future.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe B-36, despite its seemingly conventional appearance, pushed the state-of-the-art technology further than any other aircraft of its era. Its sheer size brought with it structural challenges, while its high-altitude capabilities led to engine cooling and associated problems. However, all of these were finally overcome, and the B-36 served well as the first ‘Big Stick’ of the Cold War.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56302850081141,"sku":"9781526787316","price":32.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781526787316_dd5f9b34-0b78-4394-91e7-0865f3d21370.jpg?v=1786021952"},{"product_id":"9781526787231","title":"Boeing 737","description":"The Boeing 737 is an American short- to medium-range twinjet narrow-body airliner developed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes, a division of the Boeing Company. Originally designed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from the 707 and 727, the 737 has grown into a family of passenger models with capacities from 85 to 215 passengers, the most recent version of which, the 737 MAX, has become embroiled in a worldwide controversy.   Initially envisioned in 1964, the first 737-100 made its first flight in April 1967 and entered airline service in February 1968 with Lufthansa. The 737 series went on to become one of the highest-selling commercial jetliners in history and has been in production in its core form since 1967; the 10,000th example was rolled out on 13 March 2018.   There is, however, a very different side to the convoluted story of the 737's development, one that demonstrates a transition of power from a primarily engineering structure to one of accountancy, number-driven powerbase that saw corners cut, and the previous extremely high safety methodology compromised. The result was the 737 MAX. Having entered service in 2017, this model was grounded worldwide in March 2019 following two devastating crashes.?In this revealing insight into the Boeing 737, the renowned aviation historian Graham M. Simons examines its design, development and service over the decades since 1967\\. He also explores the darker side of the 737's history, laying bare the politics, power-struggles, changes of management ideology and battles with Airbus that culminated in the 737 MAX debacle that has threatened Boeing's very survival.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56303379120501,"sku":"9781526787231","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781526787231_0772bc2e-8be0-45e9-a4a6-2f69b4df1f7d.jpg?v=1786021951"},{"product_id":"9781783400713","title":"Mosquito: The Original Multi-Role Combat Aircraft","description":"During the course of aviation history, there have been very few aircraft that have achieved immediate success when entering front-line service. The arrival of the de Havilland Mosquito brought with it a degree of instant success that set it apart from a host of other aircraft. It was not designed to an RAF requirement, but was the result of an initiative of the designers and builders to utilize the skills of woodworkers and the relative abundance of wood in the crisis years of World War II. The result was an aircraft that could be built quickly, was extremely fast and immensely versatile. Pilots loved it and the opportunities opened up to them as a result of the capabilities of this new and exciting aircraft. Here, Graham Simons describes in detail how the de Havilland Mosquito was built, utilizing many rare photographs from the design studio and production lines. It illustrates and explains the many different roles that the aircraft took as the war progressed. Fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, night fighter - there were few tasks that this brilliant design could not adopt.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56305218519413,"sku":"9781783400713","price":21.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781783400713_dcf3acb1-4bd6-4ae3-ac63-35eb3a863382.jpg?v=1786025638"},{"product_id":"9781399078801","title":"B-29: Superfortress","description":"The Boeing B-29 Superfortress was a four-engined heavy bomber flown primarily by the United States in World War Two and the Korean War. The B-29 remained in service in various roles throughout the 1950s. The British Royal Air Force flew the B-29 and used the name Washington for the type, and the Soviet Union produced an unlicensed copy as the Tupolev Tu-4. The name \"Superfortress\" was derived from that of its well-known predecessor, the B-17 Flying Fortress. The B-29 was the progenitor of a series of Boeing-built bombers, reconnaissance aircraft, trainers and tankers including the variant, B-50 Superfortress.The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft to see service during World War Two. A very advanced bomber for its time, it included features such as pressurized cabins, an electronic fire-control system and remote-controlled machine-gun turrets. Though it was designed as a high-altitude daytime bomber, in practice it actually flew more low-altitude nighttime incendiary bombing missions. It was the primary aircraft in the American firebombing campaign against Japan in the final months of World War Two, and carried the atomic bombs that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Unlike many other World War Two-era bombers, the B-29 remained in service long after the war ended, with a few even being employed as flying television transmitters. The type was finally retired in the early 1960s, with 3,960 aircraft in all built.Without doubt there is a clear, strong requirement to put the record straight using primary source documentation to record the undoubted achievements alongside and in context with the shortcomings to the types design and operation that have otherwise received scant attention. The book will cover all variants and is profusely illustrated.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56312266031477,"sku":"9781399078801","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781399078801_b6618a8d-454f-4036-921c-410f9d3541bf.jpg?v=1786019742"},{"product_id":"9781526787279","title":"North American XB-70 Valkyrie in Pictures","description":"\u003cp\u003eFlying at 70,000 feet, carrying nuclear weapons at Mach 3+ for thousands of miles, the North American Aviation XB-70 Valkyrie was not merely going to redefine military aviation, but the very nature of warfare itself. The XB-70 flew so fast and so high it would only appear on radar screens for a fleeting moment, making it impossible for enemy controllers to direct their interceptors to the target before it flew out of range. When it was first designed in the 1950s, the enemy, meaning at the time the Soviet Union, had no aircraft that could match the XB-70’s capabilities, rendering it almost invulnerable. But, just as the US was developing its technologies, so too were the Soviets. The introduction of their first surface-to-air missiles led to the US adopting low-level missions to sneak under radar. This effectively neutralised the XB-70’s main characteristics and, ultimately, the programme, which had cost the United States a staggering $800 million, the equivalent to $8.4 billion in modern terms, was cancelled.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn this book, the renowned aviation historian and author Graham M. Simons explores the full story of the development of this remarkable supersonic bomber through a unique collection of images. He reveals the many challenges that the North American engineers faced, particularly with regards to engines and fuel, all of which are fully explained. As well as the technical and operational characteristics of the XB-70, Mr Simons includes first-hand testimony and analyses the accidents and incidents the aircraft were involved in. A detailed timetable allows the reader to comprehend the XB-70’s protracted history.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA beautifully elegant machine, just two of the ground-breaking XB-70s were produced, the first flight taking place on 21 September 1964. In this magnificent, full colour book this unique supersonic aircraft can be seen in all its glory.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56368989110645,"sku":"9781526787279","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781526787279_e610d31b-4664-4a1a-9c0d-e45c00b64c2a.jpg?v=1786033948"},{"product_id":"hawker-siddeley-trident","title":"Hawker Siddeley Trident","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 1957, de Havilland Aircraft started design studies to meet a British European Airways’ (BEA) requirement for a jet airliner capable of flying 1,000-mile stage lengths and achieving 600 mph. Then, in 1958, BEA demanded a smaller aircraft, resulting in a major re-design from which the aircraft emerged around three 10,100-pound thrust Rolls-Royce RB.163 Spey engines and seating up to 101 passengers. The construction of the first twenty-four aircraft began at Hatfield in July 1959. In 1960 de Havilland joined the Hawker Siddeley Group, and in September that year the future airliner's name, Trident, was announced, this having been chosen as a reflection of its then-unique three-jet, triple-hydraulic configuration. Trident took its first flight at Hatfield on 9 January 1962. The first revenue earning flight followed on 11 March, and full scheduled services on 1 April.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA pioneer in aviation technology, Trident was built from the outset for automatic landing in bad weather, a feature way ahead of its time. Trident 1C G-ARPB, retained by Hawker Siddeley for ‘Autoflare’ and ‘Autoland’ development, made the world’s first fully automatic landing at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Bedford, on 5 March 1964, a significant milestone in aviation history. The world’s first automatic touchdown on a commercial service was made by Trident 1C G-ARPR when it arrived at Heathrow from Paris on 10 June 1965, further demonstrating the Trident’s technological prowess and leaving the aviation world in awe.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe DH.121 was an engineering marvel, boasting several unique features that set it apart from its contemporaries. These included an all-flying tailplane, a sideways retracting nose leg offset twenty-four inches to port, and a Bristol Siddeley Artouste auxiliary power unit fitted under the floor of the rear cabin. These innovative design elements made the Trident a standout in the aviation industry, sparking the curiosity of aviation enthusiasts and historians alike.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57502204100981,"sku":"9781036193324","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781036193324.jpg?v=1786781024"},{"product_id":"operation-backfire","title":"Operation Backfire","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe ballistic missile age dawned in September 1944, when Germany began its V-2 campaign against Great Britain and Western Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs the war in Europe drew to a close, and during its immediate aftermath, the Allied powers scrambled to acquire highly valued German technology. This included examples of the V-2 rockets themselves. While the United States was foremost in this, General Eisenhower permitted Britain to gather enough parts to assemble eight rockets.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUnder the codename Operation Backfire, the British launched three of these rockets near Cuxhaven, which was within the British occupation zone in Germany. The tests, undertaken by experienced German staff, were well ahead of the Americans at their much-vaunted Army Launch Area No.1 at the White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico. These tests, and the work around them, also ensured that, in a little over twelve months, Britain had gone from being a victim of long-range guided missiles, to a wielder of this impressive new military technology.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis marked the start of Britain’s programme to develop guided missiles.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOperation Backfire reveals how swiftly the Cold War arms race emerged from the ashes of the previous conflict, how technology and international relations were intimately entwined, and how Great Britain was an active and enthusiastic participant in the very earliest days of the missile age. As Operation Backfire also shows that the USSR was not Britain’s only foreign adversary in its drive to build up a missile capacity after the Second World War, especially in the first year or so after that conflict. Instead, it found itself entangled in a fierce rivalry with its closest wartime ally, the US. Both countries sought to make use of German expertise to build up a domestic missile arsenal but the greater resources and newly minted superpower status of the US allowed them to essentially steamroll over their transatlantic allies.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57502213538165,"sku":"9781036195229","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781036195229.jpg?v=1786781034"}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-graham-m-simons.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}