Bill Gunston OBE FRAeS

A number of Mr Gunston’s books adorn my shelf, and I am most appreciative of his enlightening writings. RIP.

Camlobe

Many thanks for posting this, which appeared whilst I was away. I expected the DT to do him proud so will save this.

In the DT from a few days ago.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/books-obituaries/10198458/Bill-Gunston.html

Bill Gunston’s funeral will be tomorrow (3 July), having been delayed until after the Paris Air Show so that his many friends could attend. I am currently (but temporarily) housebound, so will be unable to be there, but at half-past twelve (half-way through the service) I will raise a glass to the memory of the man widely known in the publishing world as “The Gun”.

There was a very nice obituary of him in Aviation Week. They took care to point out his Fighter Aircraft, Attack Aircraft and Bombers of the West trilogy which are my favorites and which set the standard for developmental (and political) histories of modern aircraft. Also, I enjoyed his essays in the late, lamented Air International.

Those, and his Plane Speaking are still fun to read, I frequently pull them off my library shelves to reread them.

RIP.

A sad loss indeed. Bill had that rare ability to make even the driest facts seem interesting and readable. His legacy will I am sure live on for many years, both in print and in the hearts of the many who he inspired to take an interest in aviation.

A very sad loss. His writings in Flight and thereafter helped to shape my childhood aspirations. I could not agree more with your last sentence. He will not be forgotten.

Mine also.

What a shame there will be no more, but I suspect many of those he wrote will continue to inspire youngsters of today and tomorrow. What better legacy could anyone leave?

Moggy

RIP Bill. His books were a big part of my childhood.

http://www.janes360.com/article/13580/obituary-bill-gunston-obe-fraes