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SIMS, PHILLIP E.: : Adventurous Empires: The Story of the Short Empire Flying-Boats

UK.BARNSLEY,S. YORKS.PEN & SWORD AVIATION/PEN & SWORD BOOKS LTD.,2013.

ISBN 1781591075.

UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn thus.[Originally published UK by AIRLIFE,2000,this re-issue by this publisher,PEN & SWORD,2013,a 1st edn thus.] NMINT/NMINT.Wrapped+protected from day of issue/ purchase.Bright,crisp,clean,matt monochrome photographic illustrated front panel of dw/dj, montage'd monochrome photographs and aeroplane b/w plan diagram to rear panel of dw/dj; with NO shelf-wear,bumping or creasing to boards' edges and corners.Head of spine/backstrip with the merest hint of creasing to board+dw/dj - the only detraction from being a MINT copy.Top+fore-edges bright and clean; contents bright, tight, clean,solid and sound,no dog-ear reading creases to any pages' corners - pristine and unread - apart from my own collation.Bright,crisp,clean, publisher's original sharp-cornered plain black cloth boards with bright,crisp,blocked gilt letters to spine/backstrip and immaculate plain white endpapers.UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn thus,2- 355pp [paginated] includes 14 chapters,profuse contemporary b/w photographs interspersed throughout the text and the book,a bibliography, appendices (1-8,the 8th being b/w maps),an index; plus [unpaginated] half-title+title pages,contents list/table with acknowledgements to its verso,a foreword by Hugh Gordon,author's introduction with b/w cut-away diagram of the aeroplane to reverse and 2pp blanks at the rear.Late author's debut book. This is a story from a bygone era,recalling the most successful flying-boat airliner ever built. Designed to a specification for Imperial Airways,then Britain's national airline,it carried passengers and,more importantly,mail throughout the British Empire.The airliner offered luxurious travel for the privileged few, every journey being an adventure shared by passengers and crew. The Short Brothers built 42 Empires at their factory in Rochester during the late 1930s. Imperial Airways were expanding their network to the furthermost outposts of the British Empire, whilst laying down the principles of scheduled airline operations. This is the tale of the realisation of a dream and of the efforts of those who made it possible.During World War II,the military Sunderland version became an icon. Present in Norwegian and Mediterranean theatres of war,it saw action during the German seizure of Crete as well as during the famous Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm's torpedo attack at Taranto in late 1940.The history of the flying boat is one characterised by action and dynamism. During the perilous war years,it experienced a developmental surge in response to the various threats that were levelled at it and the men it conveyed.This meticulously researched book relays the full history of the Short Empire flying boats,from both a civilian and military perspective.First published in 2000 by Airlife, this Pen & Sword re-issue is set to bring the story to a new batch of enthuiasts,eager to expand their knowledge of this intriguing facet of developmental aviation history. Please contact seller,because of the weight - just under 1Kg without packaging and the value of this item - for correct,insured shipping/P+p quotes - particularly ALL overseas buyers - BEFORE ordering through the order page! ** N.B. ALL buyers please note,stocks' actual shipping/P+p costs are adjusted and any difference is refunded,after order's receipt and before the order's despatch,especially if the item(s) are offered either P+p included/FREE. ** N.B. US/Canada customers please be aware: Standard AIRMAIL postage from UK to these destinations can now cost more than the price of the book! If speed is not of the essence,then Economy rate is recommended - at approx. anything from a 1/3rd to 1/2 of the standard AIR quote/rate - sometimes arriving sooner than the 42 days - but not always.

UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn thus.
Not SIGNED.

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