Liked it

I thought it was excellent. Authentic atmosphere with some interesting characters and plotting, realistic but exciting descriptions of combat and the technical detail is excellent. David Bruce’s other novels “Prototype” and “Assassin” are very good, too.

Cees,

It would be possible to collect Typhoon parts in the UK if people/groups were willing to part with their items. Unfortunately they are not so another Typhoon will have to remain spread around 🙁 As for the wreck you mention…if it is the one that I am thinking of then as far as I know it doesn’t exist anymore as it was dragged further out to prevent causing damage to local fishing vessels and was destroyed in the process. Any more specifics on the one you are thinking of?

I do know of enough parts in existence to complete the main part of a Typhoon and the wings can be remanufactured as they are a simple design (and there are enough crash damaged parts to provide vital information). One day there will be a second Typhoon….1 is just not enough for me 🙂

Seconded.

There’s one at Hendon next to a tired looking Tiffie. They might let you measure it. Cosford don’t have one in their missile collection.

I am always dismayed to hear of someone selling family heirlooms. I have sold some in the past and now deeply regret it. The way I feel about the remaining items is that I did not buy them, I did not risk my life to accumulate them and they belong to posterity not to me. It’s my duty to catologue them and leave information so that whoever gets the items can put them in context. The money you get for these items is soon gone and then what are you left with? If veterans like Neville Duke are having to sell medals because of crime and to pay for operations, that just shows what a denegerate society we have become.

I have read a few accounts of strafing by German bombers plus there were the “tip and run” raids in the South-East that the Typhoons were used to combat. Regarding Dresden, I am sure the account of Mustangs strafing the ruins is in “Slaughterhouse 5” by Kurt Vonnegut. He is American and he was there so I would accept that as an accurate account unless someone has evidence to contradict him.