The Churchill was undoubtedly one of the most successful British tanks of the Second World War. Although it suffered from being underarmed; a defect common to most British armoured vehicles of the period; it was nevertheless loved by its crews: its cross-country ability was unrivalled and it was less inclined to 'brew-up' from a direct hit than the Sherman. It was also adaptable. Modified Churchills played a crucial part in the initial D-Day landings and in the subsequent advance through France. Bryan Perrett traces the life of this slow-moving but effective and respected tank from its initial inception through till its eventual obsolescence.
#149806 in Books The Crowood Press 1985-01-04Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x .75 x 6.25l; 1.00 #File Name: 1853102857256 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. If you know ANYTHING about the British Hawker/BAe Systems Harrier Jump Jet; or Rolls-Royce; you know who Sir Stanley Hooker was.By johnIf you know anything about the British Hawker/BAe Systems Harrier Jump Jet; you know who Sir Stanley Hooker was. He was the gentleman who; upon reflection of just how to create an engine (the Pegasus) that would allow the Harrier to land take off vertically; was quoted as saying "I suddenly had a blinding flash of the obvious...!!" He wasn't merely a "good" (reciprocating or jet) engineer - he was truly gifted; in my opinion. He could look at something in his mind; conceptualize it; visualize it; and have most of the item or the engineering behind it already designed in his mind - he was that brilliant of a mechanical engineer! This book; Hooker's autobiography; is a pathway to how the man thought; and an insight into his humbleness as a person. If you have ANY interest at all in "things Rolls Royce" or "things Harrier"; you've GOT to have a copy of this book in your library! My only "irritation"; if you will; is that this book no longer available in hardcover format; as the original 1984 edition was. For that; you're going to pay around $100 (+/-) for an original 1st ed. in new or like-new condition. But even at that; in my humble opinion; it would be WELL worth the price!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great read!By Michael PumpkininadinnerheadA great insight into a world long gone. Tea ladies; Spitfires; Oxford digs; Rolls Royce and the early days of the jet engine at the end of the Second World War. Very easy to read and a fascinating story; I loved it4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Not Much Engineer Stanley HookerBy BRETT O'MALEYI am an engineer by training and have had a keen interest in industrial history since my early teens.It is very rare to find an engineer with Stanley Hookers ability to put a story across and keep you on the edge of your chair for the whole ride; perhaps Neville Shute Norway comes to mind but sir Stanley has lived the crest of a mighty wave and can take you with him.
