20/3/2008

Local News

Testing time for pilots

WAR STORIES: Author Richard Dennis (left) with former WWII test pilot, Don Minterne

A GROUP of former World War II test pilots celebrated the launch of a military aviation book at the FAST Museum in Farnborough this month.
Penned by Richard Dennis, The Royal Aircraft Establishment At War is the final book in a trilogy, which fills a gap in the history of aviation that has existed for more than 60 years.
The book was launched to coincide with the start of the Cody Centenary Year at the museum in Trenchard House, Farnborough Road, and the author was delighted to sign copies for visitors.
Veterans present at the launch served with the RAE during the war and immediately after, and also signed copies.
Mr Dennis, whose career began with a 1942 RAE apprenticeship, said: “The variety of the research and development that took place at Farnborough is truly remarkable, and it is a safe bet that very few of the 7,000-odd wartime staff would have known its full extent.”
As well as covering technical subject areas, the book charts the 43,000, often dangerous, flying hours that were amassed between 1939 and 1945.
The book is on sale in the museum shop, with one third of profits going to FAST (Farnborough Air Sciences Trust)

First printed in: Surrey Hants Star