Grumpy Old Modeller - The Bookshelf

What's off the stack?

Finally, the view from the F-86..

Plan A was to ensure that my thoughts on this latest in Ad Hoc's "From the cockpit..." series coincided with my completion and write-up of two or three Sabre kits, including an RCAF Mk.6 with a personal significance, but this plan as so often got bent somewhat out of shape, and my copy of the book then went in to hiding (it's not just bits of plastic that do that); now the book's resurfaced I feel I really should remedy my omission, and then, Telford permitting, maybe I can get back to the models.

If you've been here before you'll know that I'm a big fan of Roger Chesnau's series, both because of the care he's taking in recording personal accounts of aircrew and groundcrew from the 'forties and 'fifties and because of the equal care taken in the presentation of their photographic accompaniment. Add to this Roger's colour profiles and the outcome is very appealing to aviation enthusiast/historian and modeller alike. With the format of the books now established and familiar, it's tempting to construct a template for reviewing the series, altering the name of the subject and a few variable details as necessary, but I've resisted it for the time being, and with the inadvertent gap since I wrote up the previous volume, on the Swift, I've tried not to look back at that before compiling this.

The principal author is as always a pilot from the aircraft's service with in this case the RAF, and the book is concerned only with the Canadair Sabre and its brief but well-remembered time in British markings with 2nd TAF in Germany and with the Linton-on-Ouse Wing in Fighter Command. Author Charles Keil flew with 26 Squadron at Oldenburg, and as is a regular feature of the series it's one of his aircraft that is the subject of the colour four-view by Roger Chesneau; and there are twenty-five other aircraft in colour profile. He was RCAF trained, but many RAF pilot trainees of the time did their flying training in the USA and on returning to the UK were prime candidates for posting to the squadrons being re-equipped, usually from Vampires, with the American fighter that was a big leap forward in the RAF's defensive sheild; many of these first-tourists were still on these squadrons when they subsequently received Hunters, and it's a personal pleasure for me to recognise quite a few of the names in this book. While the text starts with a brief account of the Sabre's development, Canadair's involvement and the reasons for its acquisition by the RAF, most of it covers the adventures - and misadventures - of those who flew and maintained it it accompanied by an excellent selection of photos, mostly from personal files and almost all in black and white, prepared and presented with the care which is one of the hallmarks of this series. For me there is considerable, welcome, nostalgia in reading the many accounts, recapturing the flavour of the era when the RAF took on many young men in the expansion and concern that followed the Korean war. I hope, and believe, that this and its series brethren will have the same ability to convey the flavour of the period to those not so directly involved. There will surely be more to come, but in the meantime this account of the Sabre (my second favourite jet fighter) is recommended, as with all the "From the Cockpit" series, unreservedly.