Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #58226 in Books
• Published on: 2005-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

Synopsis
This amazing aeroplane first flew in 1949 and is still in front-line service with the RAF. It has served in a variety of roles including those of tactical bomber, photo-reconnaissance, navigational trainer, maritime strike, electronic countermeasures and target-towing. It was manufactured in the USA under license as the Martin B-57 and has been exported to Argentina, Chile, India, Peru, South Africa and other Commonwealth countries. This book looks at the development of the aircraft during the early days of jet power and especially at its Rolls-Royce Avon power-plant. Each of the many marks and variants are described and illustrated by many remarkable and rare photographs. The type's record of service with RAF squadrons throughout its service life is given together with descriptions of the many experimental models that were used in the development of a variety of weapons and avionic systems.

Customer Reviews

Stunning Book
I find that this author never ceases to amaze and certainly knows his subject. As he states in his intro he's set out to write a readable true account of this fine old aircraft and he's certainly kept to his word. In my opinion, he's written one of the best books on this aircraft and though showing her early faults he has only made you admire her more.
The bit that interested me the most was that of Wing Commander Wallis. This is something that other books on the Canberra have missed and quite frankly I think a very bad omission, for it's clear without W/Cdr Wallis, there wouldnt have been a Canberra now flying. Credit due to Bruce Halpenny for highlighting this out and giving proper credit to a truly great man.
The photographs are fantastic and many I've never seen before.
If you're interested in the Canberra then you have to buy this book. If you want to have just a good read then buy this book.
It now takes pride in my collection

Hugely disappointing and shallow in detail
After reading the praise for this book on the Internet and indeed here on Amazon I purchased a copy as a supplement to my well-thumbed edition of the Delve / Green / Clemons masterwork ( ``English Electric Canberra'' ISBN 0904597733 ).

To say that I was disappointed with Halpenny's volume is an understatement; it is the only book that I have seen fit to return to Amazon.

For example, whereas the ``Gang of Three'' dedicate 14 pages to the evolution of the design, Halpenny offers two paragraphs. This brevity continues throughout the volume, except where the author finds opportunity to recycle material from previous works ( such as the tangential prior histories of the RAF Canberra squadrons or the name of a particular wartime Halifax ). At no point does Halpenny plunge to any level of adequate detail, not even when discussing the differences between variants.

The prose is informal and meandering whilst the layout is haphazard, being dominated by ill-fitting photographs. The book's one saving grace is the chapter discussing Wallis' contributions to Canberra safety and operations, but this would barely fill a magazine article. The photographs of the loading trolleys and 5000 lb bombs are commendable, I concede.

I would recommend that prospective buyers save their money and source a second-hand copy of the ``Gang of Three'' book. It offers far, far more detail and information than this volume whilst being more logically organised and readable.

Very nice Book
Some really serious and genuine research and work has gone into this book. i love the color profiles and esp. the one of the NASA bird. cool.
i also love the easy reading style, just because i like aircraft doesn't mean i want to be bored with reams of data. this author seems to realise this and tho with plenty of data (and some thats new i think), has written a a very good book, maybe, dare i say it, one of the best on this really interesting bird.