Outside of the pair of Osprey Aces titles on the Hurricane, I don’t really have any good, solid works dedicated solely to this aircraft. I was searching around on Amazon, and found a few titles I might be interested in.
I figured I would ask here, and see if anyone has perhaps read any titles on the Hurricane that they could recommend?
Yes before the question is asked, my favorite British aircraft is the Hurricane…not the Spit. 🙂 (Oh, and yes I still find the Spit a beautiful aircraft.)
By: JDK - 1st July 2011 at 14:18
We’ve been here before! http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?t=102908
FWIW, I still stand by my remarks on the Mason book.
Some other thoughts – Barker’s account of Pattle’s career I also recommend highly; I found the Gallico book hysteric in tone when I read it, I may be mis-remembering / maligning him and it though!
Avoid the Squadron Signal booklet. Like most of their non-US/US-enemy subjects, it’s very average.
Piece of Cake the book is n a Hurricane squadron of course, rather than the TV’s necessary Spitfires. Working back from that, Paul Richey’s Fighter Pilot is the wartime propaganda ‘reality’ which Piece of Cake subverts. In both cases, IIRC, Hurricanes aren’t what they’re about, but they are the tool.
We may produce a new edition of our (MMP Books) Hurricane book in due course.
HTH.
By: roadracer - 1st July 2011 at 13:51
Hurricats & Hurricane over the Jungle are both good books although it has been a while since I read them.
Can I also recommend The most Dangerous Moment by Michael Tomlinson.Dealing on an overall basis with the attack by the Japanese on Ceylon in 1942 it does contain some accounts and details of the Hurricane operations there.
Ace of Aces by E.C.R.Baker deals with the all too brief career of “Pat” Pattle and has details of his time in Hurricanes and Gladiators in North Africa and over Greece.
By: AdlerTag - 1st July 2011 at 13:40
Well I’ve never seen a ‘Dash 1’, but it sounds the same. It basically gives the pilot an ‘everything you need to know’ run down on a particular type, eg. Engine start proceedures, climb performance, cruise settings, general handling notes etc.
By: PhantomII - 1st July 2011 at 13:18
These suggestions for technical stuff also interest me.
Are “Pilot’s Notes” basically the same thing as the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (or Dash 1 in USAF parlance)?
By: AdlerTag - 29th June 2011 at 21:01
You can also buy re-prints of the Pilot’s Notes, I have a copy for Mk.IIa, IIb and IIc. Crecy have published fascimile Pilot’s Notes for all sorts of types over the years.
By: Rocketeer - 29th June 2011 at 19:07
i believe it has been reprinted by Crecy
By: MerlinXXII - 29th June 2011 at 19:04
Hi for technical info I would recommend as already mentioned by Rocketeer ‘The Hurricane II Manual’ volume 2 of the RAF Museum Series ISBN no. 0 85368 430 8 published by Arms & Armour Press. It is now out of print i think but you may be able to pick up a used copy.
By: PhantomII - 29th June 2011 at 03:36
Whoa! Quite a few selections.
Personally, anything technical I’ll read.
As for the operational stuff, I’m also interested in most of that although some stuff that covers Hurricane operations outside the Battle of France & Battle of Britain would be ideal. It’s not that I have no interest in those battles, but it just seems harder to find good stuff on Hurricane operations post 1940.
Stuff covering the Hurris in North Africa or the Pacific would be great (will probably check out that Hurricane over the Pacific book), and anything covering the operations of the Mark IV variant as it seems to be the most mysterious of the bunch.
By: Rocketeer - 28th June 2011 at 21:29
Horses for courses….what would you like historic or technical?
In addition to the above recommendations:
The Hurricane Story by Paul Gallico is good and appreciative of that fine aircraft.
Gun Button to Fire by Tom ‘Ginger’ Neil
One Hurricane one Raid – Rayner
+ lots of pilot autobiogs
Technical:
The Hurricane Haynes Manual
The Hurricane Manual
Modellers Datafile: The Hurricane (great detail shots etc)
Hawker Hurricane Inside and Out – Melvyn Hiscock (good toilet book IYKWIM!)
Hurricane RAF Fighter – Patterson/Dick (as Hiscock book!)
By: fozzbear - 28th June 2011 at 16:45
the hurricats
the hurricats written by ralph barker a very good read, about the hurricanes being launched of the foredecks of merchant ships.regards fozzbear
By: Oxcart - 28th June 2011 at 15:59
Hawker Hurricane by Francis K Mason springs to mind
By: The Bump - 28th June 2011 at 15:56
‘Hurricane-The Last Witnesses’ by Brian Milton is a worthwhile read, there are interviews with the surviving Hurri pilots from the various theatre’s it served in.
The Haynes manual is another good read.
By: Griffhawk - 28th June 2011 at 15:52
Leo Mckinstry’s Hurricane: Victor of the Battle of Britain is one. Although I have yet to read it, if it’s anything like his one on the Spitfire it will be well balanced and researched.
Also, Hurricane over the jungle looks at its place over in the Pacific in the early days.
Hope this helps
Griff
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June 28, 2011 at 2:41 pm