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Schneider Trophy to Spitfire
By: John Shelton

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R J Mitchell is best known as the designer of the legendary Supermarine Spitfire fighter that he never lived to see enter service with the RAF. Schneider Trophy to Spitfire is the first book to give a comprehensive account of the design career of this great aircraft designer.

Reginald J. Mitchell, known affectionately as "R.J." or even "Mitch" was responsible for twenty eight of aircraft designs. Specialising is flying-boats, Mitchell was responsible for the sleek record-breaking seaplane aircraft that won outright the Schneider Trophy in 1931. There were many other classic designs such as the Stranraer and Southampton flying boats. The author John Shelton examines Mitchell's designs and recounts how each of his aircraft emerged in response to contemporary requirements and prevailing design philosophies. There are details of the successful campaign to win the Schneider trophy and the development of the Supermarine Spitfire.

Produced in hardback Schneider Trophy to Spitfire is heavily illustrated with line drawings of the aircraft and contemporary pictures. This book provides a great insight into the man and career that is R J Mitchell

Size 270 x 210mm, 256 pages, ISBN 978-1-84425-530-6
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Bouncing-Bomb Man
The Science of Sir Barnes Wallis
By Iain Murray

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Barnes Wallis is best known as the 'boffin' behind the famous bouncing bomb used by 617 Squadron to breach the Ruhr dams in 1943, but his work covers a far wider canvas.

Bouncing-Bomb Man details Barnes Wallis' work from airships, through novel aircraft structures and special weapons, to long-range supersonic aircraft, and an extensive patent portfolio. This is the first book to describe the entire life's work of Wallis in detail and shows how his genius brought totally new ideas into these various fields. The book is packed with detail on how ideas were conceived, tested and performed in use. From the famous "bouncing bomb", "earthquake bombs" (tallboy and grand slam), airships, supersonic aircraft, telescopes, cargo carriers, bridges and much more they are all detailed here with the science and engineering expertise that he deployed to make them work.

Lavishly illustrated this great hardback book makes extensive use of line artwork and photographs to demonstrate the concepts involved. For those seeking an authoritative work or those simply wanting a good read Bouncing-Bomb Man is ideal reading.

Size 270 x 210mm, 288 pages, ISBN 978-1-84425-588-7
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RSGB Member's Price £19.99 (20% OFF)

The Real Enigma Heroes
By Phil Shanahan

The capture of the Enigma codes helped shorten the Second World War by at least a year. Churchill took a special interest in the information that came out of Bletchley Park’s Station X and he guarded his contact well so that the Germans would never find out the source.Without the quick actions of three men from HMS Petard, who clambered aboard a sinking German U-boat, the codes might never have been broken. On the night of 30 October 1942, First Lieutenant Tony Fasson, accompanied by Able Seaman Colin Grazier and Tommy Brown, climbed aboard U-559. Passing codebooks up through the hatch, Fasson and Grazier were caught aboard the sub as she suddenly sank. Brown was saved, along with the code books, and the rest, they say, is history...It wasn’t until 1969 that the men were mentioned for their work in rescuing the Enigma codes, and even then it was in the comic "The Hornet".

Phil Shanahan tells the extraordinary story of the three men who saved countless Allied lives and shortened the war by a year, as well as the efforts to recognise their bravery.

It’s hard to think of three individual servicemen who did more to hasten the Allied victory - Robert Harris, author of "Enigma".

They played a pivotal part in bringing the Battle of the Atlantic to an earlier close - Prince Andrew.

A contribution to the winning of the war that few could match - Tony Blair.

Hardback Size 254x178, paperback, 240 pages, ISBN: 9780 7524 4472 7

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SOE: The Scientific Secrets
By Fredric Boyce and Douglas Everett

The history of Special Operations Executive (SOE) seems to spring a never-ending run of surprises, and here are some more. This book explores the mysterious world of the tools SOE used for their missions of subversion and sabotage.

Written by a scientist who served in SOE and an engineer who shared the task of clearing up after it was disbanded, their insider knowledge provides a clear account of the way in which SOE inventors worked. The often grim reality is confronted and is more akin with the world of James Bond and Q’s workshop was than previously believed. From high explosive technology to chemical and biological devices it is all here. Readers will find details of clandestine radios used alongside the techniques of air supply, camouflage, underwater warfare, weaponry and so much more.

SOE -The Scientific Secrets is a revelation about the tools that allowed the murky world of spying and spies to operate during wartime. A thoroughly recommended read for anyone interested in these WWII activities.

Size 164x239mm, 336 pages ISBN 9780 7524 5329 3

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Between Silk and Cyanide
A Code Maker's War 1941-45

By Leo Marks

Leo Marks was until recently known as a poet and playwright, however now he is best known as one of the foremost cryptographers at Bletchley Park during WW2. This book is a detailed account of his time in SOE and is truly one of the great Second World War memoirs.

Between Silk and Cyanide tells how Marks revolutionised the code-making techniques of the Allies and trained some of the famous agents. The story is all here from his arrival in 1942 with a black market chicken tucked under his arm through his time at Bletchley Park. There is a huge amount of detail here including how he had had to come up with new cyphers for SOE when he was horrified to discover that the traffic could be read by the Germans with ease. His novel solution was to use original poems instead as cyphers. Marks also revolutionised the decoding of the 20% of "indecipherables", messages from SOE agents that were sent with the Gestapo on the prowl, that the agent need not risk his life to resend.

At 622 pages this book is a critically acclaimed and detailed autobiography. It is recommended to anyone seeking an account of Bletchley Park or simply a great read.

Size 194x124, paperback, 622 pages, ISBN: 9780 7509 4835 7

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Haynes Owner Workshop Manual for Apollo 11
By: Christopher Riley & Philip Dolling

If you are familiar with Haynes manuals in their various forms this hardback book is a delight. You may not have a Saturn V rocket or Lunar Module in need of a service but this book provides the insight if you do. This book is packed with over 300 pictures, diagrams, cutaways, flow diagrams and much more all in the familiar Haynes style. Readers will find included the story of the Apollo program, the development of the various Saturn rockets and the 'space hardware' that made it all possible.

This manual provides an insight into the work of the 400,000 people who before the age of micro computers, mobile phones and the internet achieved the technical miracle that is the Apollo programme. This book looks at the evolution and design of the mighty Saturn V rocket. There are specific chapters explaining the details of the Command & Service modules, the Lunar module and even the space suits themselves. We even learn about how the Apollo 11 mission was flown - from launch procedures to 'flying' the Saturn V and the 'LEM', and from moon walking to the earth re-entry procedure. Much is also devoted to the guidance, navigation and control along with details of the communications systems. The book details the cancelled J-class missions and addresses the conspiracy theories that surround the programme. Readers will also find appendices detailing all the Apollo missions and the fate of the rockets and spacecraft.

Released to coincide with the 40th Anniversary of the first man to walk on the Moon this book is a fascinating guide to the whole Apollo programme and thoroughly recommended.

Size 270 x 210mm, 196 pages ISBN: 9781 8442 5683 9

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RSGB Member's Price £16.99

Haynes Owner Workshop Manual for Avro Lancaster
By: Jarrod Cotter and Paul Blackah

The legendary Avro Lancaster receives the famous Haynes manual treatment with the full co-operation and authorisation of the Royal Air Force. This hardback book provides rare and fascinating insight into how the Lancaster is constructed, flown, operated and how it is serviced and maintained.

This Haynes manual provides not only the history of the plane that Sir Arthur (Bomber) Harris described as "the greatest single factor in winning the war" but much more. Readers will find detailed sections with pictures, diagrams, cutaways of the anatomy of the aircraft. The "crew's view" is covered in depth with details of pre flight checks, start-up, take off, navigating and more. There is also the "engineers view" covering servicing of the aircraft and an "owner's view" for those lucky enough to acquire their own aircraft. The whole book filled with hundreds of supporting colour photographs and diagrams.

Written from the unique perspective of those who know what it takes to restore and operate a Lancaster, this manual provides as well as a wonderful insight into the engineering and construction of this remarkable aeroplane. This highly detailed and attractively designed book is a must for anyone interested in iconic Lancaster Bomber. .

Size 270 x 210mm, 160 pages ISBN: 9781 8442 5463 7

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RSGB Member's Price £15.29

A Bit of Controversy
Pat Hawker - A Radio Life

By Steve White, G3ZVW

A Bit of Controversy details the extraordinary radio life of Pat Hawker, MBE G3VA. From a very early age though to his eighties, Pat has been involved in many aspects of radio, from WW2 with the Britain's military intelligence organisations through to time working for the RSGB, the IBA and as the editor of Electronics Weekly and the Royal Television Society Journal.

Starting with his early upbringing and his interest in radio from the tender age A Bit of Controversy brings to life the life of this remarkable man. Pat was first licensed with an 'artificial aerial' licence (2BUH) in 1936 and a transmitting licence (G3VA) in 1938. There are details of his WW2 experience when Pat was a member of the Radio Security Service (RSS) with its connections to MI5 and MI6. Pat followed the allied invasion through Europe with the intelligence services, including a spell with the Dutch Bureau of Intelligence. After ending his military service in 1946 the book brings out details of his published work for the RSGB and George Newnes. Never far from a "radio controversy", this book, covers the 50 years that Pat wrote the hugely popular column Technical Topics which appeared in the RSGB's journal RadCom.

Pat Hawker has without doubt led an extraordinary life and this book details it. If you were a fan of Pat's long running column or just interested in the activity of the security services in WW2 this book is a fascinating insight.

Free Audio CD
A special bonus the book includes on a free audio CD a specially commissioned interview with Pat Hawker, MBE. Talking about his radio life, Pat adds an extra dimension to his fascinating story.

ISBN 9781-9050-8640-5
Size 174x240mm, 144 pages plus CD

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Captain Henry Jackson of HMS Defiance
by John Hooper

For anyone interested in the history of radio communications this book is a must Captain Henry Jackson of HMS Defiance tells the story of a period of time when that ship and its Commanding Officer where both at the forefront of the early experimentation in the use of radio waves as a form of communication.

Captain Henry Jackson was a Victorian radio pioneer who persuaded the Admiralty to carry out trials using this new method of communication during fleet manoeuvres in 1899. At one point was probably more advanced in his radio work than the celebrated Guglielmo Marconi. However Jackson did not have the same connections or support as Marconi, so did not receive the recognition his work probably deserved. Jackson went on to have a distinguished naval career becoming First Sea Lord in 1915 and an Admiral of the Fleet in 1919. Jackson continued to be prominent in radio communications and was elected President of the RSGB in 1922.

Captain Henry Jackson of HMS Defiance covers much more than the radio story and also has details of the torpedo school and submarine activity in the area. If you have connections with radio communications at sea, particularly in the Royal Navy, you will find Captain Henry Jackson of HMS Defiance and extremely interesting read.

210x 297mm 64 pages, ISBN 9870-9557-3460-1

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FJ Camm - The Practical Man 1895-1959

An Outline of his Life and Works by Gordon G. Cullingham

The late Gordon Cullingham, Honorary Archivist of the Royal Borough of Windsor, U.K. researched at length the interests, writings and skills of a remarkable Windsorian, F. J. Camm. Born at the end of the Victorian era, F.J. grew up in the early days of motoring, aviation and electronics and contributed, through his extensive writings in the 'Practical ...' series of magazines and his own books, to the public's understanding of these new sciences. A skilled modeller, this book contains photographs and drawings of F.J.'s aeroplanes, steam and petrol engines and a wealth of other examples of his amazing versatility and accomplishment.

"...this excellent biography... The entire book is a revelation" - Engineering in Miniature

"...a collection of fascinating material" - Alex Imrie, Aeromodeller

Size: 210x297mm, 110 pages, ISBN 978-9050-8635-1

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RSGB Member's Price £9.34

Perera's Telegraph Collectors Guide
By Prof. Tom Perera, W1TP

This is the third edition of the famous Perera's Telegraph Collectors Guide. Written by the leading expert on Telegraph Keys this book provides the reader with the comprehensive guide to telegraph keys. There is a historical background of telegraph keys and details of the types of keys available from the earliest 1830 varieties through to the present day. Morse code keys, spark & wireless keys, military keys from around the world and radio keys are all covered. There is also a wide range of material covering practice sets, semi-automatic keys (or "Bugs"), electronic keyers, paddles, home-made keys and even novelty items. There are even tips on restoring telegraph keys. The book also provides the latest guide prices for the keys along with a hugely valuable cross reference and comprehensive index of the material.

This book contains:
* Historical background
* Details of key types
* Hundreds of pictures
* Current key prices
* Tips on restoration
* Comprehensive & Cross-Referenced Index

This guide is ideal companion for anyone with an interest in telegraph keys and is a fascinating reference work on telegraph and Morse keys since their very inception

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The Story of Enigma CD

NEW
By Prof. Tom Perera, W1TP
The breaking of the Enigma Codes in World War II was one of the defining actions of the whole war. This CD looks at the Enigma machines themselves in amazing detail and brings to life how these machines were made and used. This CD also looks at the development of Enigma machines made by other countries after the war and detail is included of Russian, Swiss and American versions. In sixty sections you will find 5 videos, over 1400 photographs, schematics, nine Enigma books & manuals and two Enigma simulator programs. This CDcovers a huge array of detail from operating instructions,assembly and details of Enigma machines captured during the war and their value to Allied efforts. The CDgoes beyond the Enigma machines of WWII andcontains material on various derivations of these fascinating encryption devices. There are details of the American M-209 cipher machine including a 30-minute training film on its use. There is information on the FIALKA which is a recently discovered Russian Enigma machine, along with the Swiss pocket cipher machines. The CD is presented in an easy to use HTML format so any computer with an internet browser can use it easily. Some items on the CD do require other software to run and this has been included in the form of Mozilla Firefox (a web browser), Adobe Acrobat and Real Player (all PC versions).

At 697MB there is far more on this CD than we can hope to cover here. This is simply a gold mine of material for anyone interested in the subject of Enigma machines. This CD is thoroughly recommended as a remarkable resource for those researching the Enigma saga or anyone just interested in the topic.
ISBN 9781-9050-8622-1

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Perera's Telegraph Collectors Reference CD

NEW

By Prof. Tom Perera, W1TP
This CD edition of his famous Telegraph Collectors Guide is the most comprehensive guide to telegraph keys available. Containing an amazing 7000 photographs and a vast array of descriptions, prices, books, maps, videos and lists, this CD is a goldmine of fascinating information. The Telegraph Collectors CD is really easy to use and requires no installation or hard disc space, being HTML it should run equally well on PCs or Macs. It starts with a historical background of telegraph keys and discusses the types of keys available from the earliest years through to the present day. The reader will then find a breakdown ofthe various categories of keys, from the earliest 1830 varieties through the introduction of Morse code keys,spark & wireless keys, military keys from around the world and radio keys. There is also a wide range of material covering practice sets, semi-automatic keys (or "Bugs"), electronic keyers, paddles, home-made keys and even novelty items. A wide variety of pictures and diagrams aid identification of the various models and the author has included extensive lists of the various manufacturers, their model numbers and codes. There are even tips on restoring telegraph keys and their use along with a comprehensive index of the material. Even if you are not interested in the dollar value of telegraph keys this historical reference work is fascinating look at telegraph and Morse keys since their very inception.
ISBN 9781-9050-8623-8

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1940s Amateur Radio Special Edition

6 Book Set
Shortly after WWII the RSGB produced a hugely popular series of booklets detailing various aspects of amateur radio. This series of books published in 1947 - 1949 covered amateur radio as it was then. The RSGB is now re-issuing these booklets, in their original form as a special edition. Each book is a gem being an historical encapsulation of electronics as it was and what radio amateurs were doing with it. The set contains 6 booklets with a nearly 450 pages of fascinating material. Not only is this collection a historical master class in amateur radio, it provides an ideal understanding of the way the past has shaped the direction of current technology.
Books include:
VHF Technique - Propagation of VHF waves; VHF aerial systems; VHF transmitters; VHF receivers; VHF measurements; Frequency modulation. 96 pages
Transmitter Interference - Cooperation and goodwill; Interference to medium-wave broadcast reception; Interference curable at the transmitter; Interference curable at the receiver; Interference to television. 32 pages
Valve Technique - General considerations governing valve operation; Voltage amplifiers; Audio frequency power amplifiers; Radio frequency power amplifiers, frequency multipliers and oscillators; Detectors; Frequency changers; Power rectifiers; Special applications; Noise generated in valve amplifiers; Valves for VHF. 104 pages
Receivers - Fundamental principles; Principles of receiver design; Tuning circuits; Straight receivers; Superheterodyne receivers; Frequency-modulation receivers; Construction; Power supplies; Fault-finding, adjustments and calibration. 96 pages
Microwave Technique - Introduction to microwaves; Circuit elements - tuned circuits and cavity resonators; Circuit elements - waveguides; Circuit elements - valves; Transmitters and receivers; Aerials; Measurements. 68 pages
Simple Transmitting Equipment - Fundamentals; Aerials; Simple transmitters; Five-band 25-watt transmitter; Simple VFO circuit; Crystal-controlled frequency sub-standard. 52 pages

Please Note: The cover design has altered from that originally announced in March 2006 RadCom

© Radio Society of Great Britain, Size 184x120mm ISBN 1-905086-14-8

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World at Their Fingertips
by John Clarricoats, G6CL

The story of amateur radio in the United Kingdom and a history of the Radio Society of Great Britain. Its pages and many illustrations give a unique account of the development of a scientific hobby that has provided technical knowledge and service to the community since the beginning of the century.

1st Edn, reprinted 1993, paperback, 138 by 216 mm, 307 pages, ISBN: 0-900612-09-6.

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