Alex Henshaw spent the early days of World War II at Eastleigh, England, testing the immortal Spitfire fighter with Jeffrey Quill before being appointed Chief Test Pilot at Supermarine's new factory in Castle Bromwich. Thousands of Spitfires were tested and manufactured at this site throughout the war, by the end of which 37,000 test flights had been made with Alex Henshaw flying an estimated ten percent of all Spitfires ever built. Often landing without aids of any kind, his breathtaking aerobatic style and complete mastery of the aircraft were to save his life on several occasions.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A nation at war brings the cream to the top - A great read,
This review is from: Sigh for a Merlin: Testing the Spitfire (Paperback)
A nation at war, all hands to the tiller. Henshaw, already renowned as a young solo long distance record-breaking pilot, after a brief spell twiddling his fingers at Vickers, Weybridge meets Geoffrey Quill - another talented young flier, already chief test pilot of the Spitfire. In no time at all, he is offered and accepts the post of production test pilot at the massive, barely finished Castle Bromwich factory in the heart of the Midlands, with its Black Country weather.By the end of the war, Henshaw had flown over 3,000 Spits straight off the line, barrel rolled Lancasters and flown upside down along ....! Excelling in inverted flight, Henshaw's required to demo the Spit at the drop of a hat, flight test them in appalling conditions and keep a large team of disparate pilots working foir the common good. His sheer professionalism, commitment and outstanding flying skills shine through. Modestly written, a superb account of a great plane and great pilot.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
stunning war time exploits of legendary pilot alex henshaw,
By Matthew Fairy (matthew.fairy@snet.net) (London, England / Connecticut USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Sigh for a Merlin: Testing the Spitfire (Paperback)
The exploits of Alex Henshaw are done some fine justice in this book. It highlights testing of dangerous airplanes during WWII and how so many people contributed without mention. any flying fan will trully love this one! A must for aviation fans.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best book on flying the Spitfire,
By Andy Wright (Melbourne, Victoria) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Sigh for a Merlin : Testing the Spitfire (Paperback)
You will not read a better book about flying the Spitfire than Alex Henshaw's "Sigh for a Merlin"! Although no combat sequences are included as would be expected of a Spitfire book, the testing of so many aircraft leads to as much tension and action as any of the best combat-based stories.
Alex Henshaw writes as well as he flies. I was reluctant to put this book down as Mr Henshaw regularly shares the flying with the reader. You are right there as he tests new aircraft and escapes from tricky situations due to aircraft failure. For anyone who has heard a Merlin engine on any aircraft, you will understand the title. You'll make the same sigh of satisfaction/awe as you read the last page of this book...if you haven't done so already while reading the book! I read this book several years ago but it still has an affect on me. There are some good Spitfire books out there, but this is the best.
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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
I suppose every man beyond a certain age, when there is time for reflection over the past, is able to say 'That was the happiest or the greatest or the most memorable year of my life.' Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
rated altitude, flying programme, chief test pilot, power dive, vertical climb, control column Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Castle Bromwich, Flight Lieutenant, Wing Commander, Eric Holden, Managing Director, Mew Gull, Prime Minister, Worthy Down, Alex Henshaw, Commanding Officer, Hams Hall, Jeffrey Quill, Alex Dunbar, South Marston, Fighter Command, Fleet Air Arm, Hursley Park, The Ridings, Works Manager, Boscombe Down, General Manager, George Pickering, Tiger Moth, Home Guard, Ministry of Aircraft Production New!
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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
I suppose every man beyond a certain age, when there is time for reflection over the past, is able to say 'That was the happiest or the greatest or the most memorable year of my life.' Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
rated altitude, flying programme, chief test pilot, power dive, vertical climb, control column Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Castle Bromwich, Flight Lieutenant, Wing Commander, Eric Holden, Managing Director, Mew Gull, Prime Minister, Worthy Down, Alex Henshaw, Commanding Officer, Hams Hall, Jeffrey Quill, Alex Dunbar, South Marston, Fighter Command, Fleet Air Arm, Hursley Park, The Ridings, Works Manager, Boscombe Down, General Manager, George Pickering, Tiger Moth, Home Guard, Ministry of Aircraft Production New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 2
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1
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cites this book:
- Pearl harbour by Lord on page 148
- New Zealand (Enchantment of the World, Second) by Donna Walsh Shepherd in Front Matter
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