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Lancaster

The Second World War’s Greatest Bomber

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Lancaster

By: Leo McKinstry
Narrated by: Peter Noble
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A comprehensive history of Britain's greatest bomber plane.

The Spitfire and the Lancaster were the two RAF weapons of victory in the Second World War, but the glamour of the fighter has tended to overshadow the performance of the heavy bomber. Yet without the Lancaster, Britain would never have been able to take the fight to the German homeland. Highlights the scale of the bomber's achievements, including the famous Dambusters attacks. With its vast bomb bay, ease of handling and surprising speed, the mighty Lancaster transformed the effectiveness of the Bomber Command.

Whilst addressing the political controversy surrounding the bombing offensive against Germany, Leo McKinstry also weaves individual tales into this compelling narrative. Rich characters are brought to life, such as Roy Chadwick the designer, who taught himself engineering at night school and Sir Arthur Harris, the austere head of the Bomber Command. This is a rich saga, a story of triumph over disaster and the history of an iconic plane.

©2009 Leo McKinstry (P)2009 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Europe Great Britain Military Weapons & Warfare War Air Force Aviation US Air Force Imperialism Winston Churchill England
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so much I didn't know about this aircraft and it's effect on the history, good detail from crew and air staff. Well read and we'll written.

Really interesting book

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An excellent book with lots of info about the development of the Lancaster bomber and the crews who flew it. I found the stories of the manufacturers AV Roe and their competitors to be very informative and the drive of Roy Chadwick to develop the troublesome Manchester, into what i believe to be the best aircraft of all time. For the Lancaster Bomber lover this is a must listen. Lest we forget.

The story of a legend

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This book is of course about the Lancaster but also about so much more; it's rivals and why it was seen as better than them, it's employment in battle and the politics of that employment. Sir Arthur Harris, his flaws but also his strengths, the story of those that build it and those that fought and died in it (and were conceived in it!). Leo McKinstry's writing is excellent but without Peter Noble's fine narration such a long listen could be a chore, it's not and both are to be thanked for this.

An epic book about an epic aircraft.

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Both Narrative and performance make this work so interesting and enjoyable with no evidence of ‘creative padding’

Impressive research wonderfully structured

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I enjoyed everything about this book. I thought I knew the subject, but this had far more that was new to me than I would have thought possible. It answered several nagging questions - such as the lack of a ventral turret, and why the turrets lacked heavy machone guns. McKinstry is always a vigorous and incisive analyst. And as usual, Peter Noble was an exemplary reader.

Outstanding detail and balanced analysis

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