{"title":"Tom Moulson","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"millionaires-squadron-book-tom-moulson-9781783463398","title":"The Millionaires' Squadron","description":"Imagined by an aristocrat in White's Club, London in 1925, a part-time squadron of wealthy young men with their own private aircraft was incorporated into a newly-established combat-ready Auxiliary Air Force, first as bombers, then fighters. The pre-war years combined serious training with frivolity and mischief, but the outbreak of war in 1939 changed that. Despite their social rank the pilots were thrust into the heart of the action, with mortality proving to be the great social leveler. From pampered pre-war lifestyles to perilous front-line deployment, their career trajectories featured the kind of radical changes of pace and focus that war alone engenders. In the process, the surviving members of 601 were changed forever. Through the battles of Britain, Malta, the African desert and Italy the squadron's composition was transformed, and by war's end only a minority were British and none were millionaires. Britain had changed too, and the  re-formed squadron filled with a combination of veterans and young middle-class ex-service pilots. The pilots flew Hurricanes in the Battle of Britain, and Spitfires thereafter until the arrival of jets in the '50s; DH Vampires and Gloster Meteors. The one aircraft they could not master was the little-loved mid-engine P-39 Bell Airacobra in 1941. Disbandment in 1957 of the by-then 'Royal' Auxiliary Air Force was fiercely resisted, but inevitable. Originally published in 1964 to great acclaim, this second edition features a wealth of brand new content in the form of newly uncovered documentation and photo illustrations. It is set to bring the story of this eccentric and dynamic squadron to a whole new audience of aviation and military enthusiasts.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49550319321361,"sku":"GOR007214809","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50445180829969,"sku":"GOR009167041","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1783463392.jpg?v=1751411352"},{"product_id":"millionaires-squadron-book-tom-moulson-9781399013178","title":"The Millionaires' Squadron","description":"601 (Auxiliary) Squadron of the RAF is famed for a host of reasons. Notable for the social calibre of its members, gleaned from the eccentric and elite membership of the exclusive White's Club, London, (upon inception in 1924) the unit came to be known as 'The Millionaires Squadron', seeing real action in the Battles of Britain and Malta, with many of its members securing distinguished victories. Despite their social rank, they were thrust right into the heart of the action, with mortality proving to be the great social leveller. From pampered pre-war lifestyles to perilous front-line deployment, their career trajectories featured the kind of radical changes of pace and focus that war alone engenders. In the process, the members of 601 were changed forever.  Notable individuals to play a part in the history of the Squadron include Lord Edward 'Ned' Grosvenor, Sir Philip Sassoon, Sir Nigel Norman (later developer of Heston airport and designer of many others), Loel Guinness, Whitney Straight, Max Aitken, and Roger Bushell, mastermind of the Great Escape. Despite the fact that the squadron's second commanding officer, Sir Philip Sassoon, had to be 'helped' to win his wings, and that the members were often suspected by regulars of lacking sufficient experience and commitment, they went on to prove themselves in a variety of heroic ways. When called to action, they more than proved their mettle, as Moulson relays in this well-written, often humorous account of the squadron's exploits.  Originally published in 1964 to great acclaim, this second edition features a wealth of brand new content in the form of newly uncovered documentation and photo illustrations. It is set to bring the story of this eccentric and dynamic squadron to a whole new audience of aviation and military enthusiasts.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":50593211220241,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50593212760337,"sku":"GOR014008946","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1399013173.jpg?v=1751209088"},{"product_id":"the-flying-sword-the-story-of-601-squadron-rare-book-tom-moulson-1771316392iev","title":"The Flying Sword: The Story Of 601 Squadron","description":"1964. First Edition. 184 pages. Pictorial dust jacket over red cloth. Black and white photographic plates throughout. Pages and binding are presentable with no major defects. Minor issues present such","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53696057803025,"sku":"1771316392IEV","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1771316392IEV_1.jpg?v=1782135840"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/collections\/author-books-by-tom-moulson.oembed","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}