From Biplane to Spitfire

by Baker, Anne

• ISBN13: 9780850529807
• ISBN10: 0850529808
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-01-01
• Publisher: Pen & Sword

Summary

Air Marshal Sir Geoffrey Salmond and his brother Jack joined the Royal Flying Corps during the Great War and both were to have a major influence on the development of the Royal Air Force in the 1920s and 1930s. After most distinguished war service Geoffrey, the older of two, became one of the original pioneers of long range flight and rose steadily through the ranks. He was one of the first to recognise the importance of 'high speed flight' and the development of the Supermarine S6 (the forerunner of the Spitfire). As such he was closely involved with the Schneider Trophy races of the early 1930s. His successful career also encompassed flights of long range endurance. Extraordinarily both Jack and Geoffrey rose to become Chiefs of the Air Staff in the mid-1930's. Geoffrey succeeded his brother at the top of his profession only to die in post before he could see the fruits of his labours come to fruition in the Battle of Britain; without his vision the RAF might very well not had the Spitfire and the result would surely have been very different. Selling Points * The first biography of one of the founding fathers of the RAF * The Salmond Brothers both had a major influence on the development of the flight both military and civil. * The story of a visionary who realised the significance of high speed flight and was largely responsible for the introduction and development of the Spitfire which was to win the Battle of Britain and save the Count. Author Detials

Table of Contents

Foreword	vii
Preface	xi
Acknowledgements	xiii
1 THE FASCINATION OF FLIGHT - LOVE, LINEN AND PIANO WIRE	1	(27)
Box kites and Blériots	9	(15)
The RFC earns its Wings	24	(4)
2 THE WAR IN FRANCE	28	(48)
The Retreat from Mons	28	(14)
The Tide Turns	42	(7)
B.K. and Saint Omer	49	(11)
Commanding 1 Squadron	60	(16)
3 MIDDLE EAST COMMAND	76	(15)
A Handful of Aeroplanes	76	(1)
Egypt and Action	77	(8)
Iron Horses in the Air	85	(6)
4 BUILDING AN AIR FORCE	91	(54)
Fighting the Turks with Allenby	98	(9)
Jerusalem Before Christmas	107	(9)
A First Class Row	116	(5)
Return to Egypt - Shipwreck	121	(8)
Mastery of the Air	129	(11)
Victory	140	(5)
5 THE FIRST FLIGHT FROM EGYPT TO INDIA	145	(21)
Knighthood. Planning the Desert Route	153	(4)
Trenchard's White Paper	157	(4)
The Mad Mullah	161	(5)
6 THE CAIRO CONFERENCE	166	(23)
Air Minister for Supply and Research	176	(9)
Crisis in Iraq and Visits to Clouds Hill	185	(4)
7 BY IMPERIAL AIRWAYS TO INDIA 1926	189	(27)
Crisis in Kabul; Rescue over the Mountains	196	(20)
8 AIR DEFENCE OF GREAT BRITAIN	216	(10)
Chief of the Air Staff	221	(5)
Epilogue	226	(1)
Appendix: Honours	227	(2)
Bibliography	229	(2)
Index	231