Old Forge Books

A Survivor's Tale

The true life story of a wireless operator/air gunner from enlistment in 1941 to demobilisation in 1946

by Ted Nelson.

Ted Nelson was born in Hazel Grove, Stockport in May 1923 and despite attending six different schools in Lancashire, London and Southampton between the ages of 4 and 11 he still managed to obtain an academic scholarship to King Edward VI Grammar School in Southampton in 1934.

  To avoid becoming an evacuee when the Second World War began he ‘ran away’ from school and later enlisted in the RAF as aircrew at just 17, recording his age as 18, despite signing a declaration that any untruth could result in 2 years imprisonment with hard labour!

  In completion of his training as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner he survived 87 operational flights spread over 698 operational flying hours.

  In total he completed 717 flights covering 1658 hours, flew with 125 different pilots in 25 different aircraft. He landed or was stationed at 75 airfields during his service, with 206 Squadron, the Coastal Command Development Unit and the Air/Sea Warfare Development Unit.

  He was demobilised in 1946 and finally wrote ‘A Survivor’s Tale’ in the Autumn of 2008 at the age of 85. He is married to Ona and has 3 children and 7 grandchildren and has lived in Dorset for the past 46 years.  

A Survivor's Tale is being launched at The Gullivers Bookstore in Wimborne on the 2nd December 2009 at 11am.

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Avro One

Autobiography of a Chief Test Pilot

by Wg Cdr J A ‘Robby’ Robinson

The title ‘Avro One’ is synonymous with a long line of Chief Test Pilots beginning with Alliot Verdon Roe in 1908.

  Robby Robinson started his flying career in the RAF culminating in two tours as a test pilot at Boscombe Down followed by a tour with the Empire Test Pilots School. He joined British Aerospace in 1978 and became their chief test pilot in 1981.

  This story takes the reader all over the world as Robby gives an insight into the world of civilian flying and the development of his skills as a “salesman”, promoting and selling the HS.748. The beauty of flying in Trinidad & Tobago, Madagascar and Andorra along with the frustrations and complications of operating so far from home are related in a humorous and informative manner.

  The wartime spirit during the Falklands War of 1982 at Woodford is described in detail, including the multitude of modifications that took place during that time. These included the effective fitment of Sidewinders to the Nimrod making it the ‘worlds biggest fighter’.

  The ups and eventual downs of the Nimrod AEW.3 are also covered in detail, complemented by several excellent air-to-air photographs of the United Kingdom’s AWACS.  

  The crowning moment is described as occurring on the 6th August 1986, when, with Robby at the controls, the ATP first took to the sky. It was to be the last airliner exclusively designed and built by a British company in the United Kingdom.   

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Built to Endure

The Story of the Airfield Construction Branch in the Cold War

by Gp Capt Nigel Walpole

‘Built to Endure’ tells the story of airmen who laboured outside the limelight to provide airfields and the facilities necessary to support Allied air power in the Cold War, and for the UK to exercise its national responsibilities world-wide. They were the unsung heroes of the RAF Airfield Construction Branch (ACB).

    The ACB came to life in 1948, and was soon committed heavily to urgent work on airfields and associated installations needed for the Berlin Airlift, and in its aftermath it became deeply involved in the refurbishment or construction of new airfields optimised for the second generation jet fighters, the new V-bombers, missile and radar sites, nuclear storage and command bunkers. Much of this work took place in Europe, but the ACB also had detachments spread widely across the world, its men often working in extreme weather conditions, from the wind-swept Outer Hebrides to  isolation in the Seychelles and Maldives and in the searing   heat of South Arabia, the jungles of Thailand, Sarawak and  North Borneo. Moreover, in Aden, Cyprus, Sarawak and North  Borneo these men came under attack from terrorists,  typically on the border between the Aden Protectorates and the  Yemen at Beihan and in the Radfan mountains, but they  were always ready, willing and able to defend themselves.    

   In some 110,000 words and 347 pictures, personal anecdotes   of airmen at work and play are woven into a factual framework   drawn from official archives, to pay tribute to the ACB.

AUTHOR’S ROYALTY WILL BE DONATED TO THE CHARITY ‘COMBAT STRESS’.

270 x 220mm Hardback, 240 pages, 347 photos 

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Danger Area

The Complete History of RAF South

100 Maintenance Unit

by Martyn Chorlton

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Enduring Spirit

Convicts or Colonists

The true story of Henry Kable and Susannah Holmes

by Len Hedges

In 1783, Henry Cabell and Susannah Holmes found themselves desperately afraid in the fortress that was Norwich Castle. They had been imprisoned for stealing goods worth more than forty shillings, a crime that automatically drew sentences of death by hanging. There they fell in love and enjoyed a potent fusion of pain and pleasure within the prison's grim walls.

  When Susannah and her baby were sent to the hulks for transportation on the first fleet to Australia, Henry was desperate but powerless to join her. John Simpson, the humane turnkey, stepped in when the Captain of the hulk refused to take Susannah's baby, who, having been born in prison, had no papers.

  His actions sparked off an amazing chain of events which culminated in the two young people being reunited on the hulk prior to joining the very first fleet to the New World.

   Henry, tough and resourceful in Australia, was the first convict in history to successfully sue the authorities, run a mail service, own a ship and become the Colony’s first Chief Constable. He went on to make a fortune in sealing and whaling.

  To survive and remain together was remarkable, to succeed and flourish truly astonishing.

230 x 155mm Hardback, 272 pages.

5% Donation by the publisher from every copy sold to

The Rotary House For The Deaf in Norwich

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Fall Out Roman Catholics and Jews

A personal account of this distinguished officer’s RAF career

1956-1963 with a bit added on...

by Tony Haig-Thomas

Foreword by

Air Chief Marshal Sir John Allison KCB, CBE, RAF (Retd) 

Tony Haig-Thomas tells his highly personal story of a young man in hog-heaven (well, most of the time) but also painting an affectionate and authentic picture of that Air Force that he loved so much. Some of his descriptions of flying are lyrical. Passages on operational flying in Venoms and Hunters out of Aden (and ground operations with the Army) are exciting and play down the gallantry involved.

  If you know what it was like to be in the Royal Air Force in the late 50s and early 60s, then you must wallow in the nostalgia generated by Tony’s story. If you would like to know what the Air Force was like in those days, then read this book, because it is the real thing. If you are just curious to know more about Tony, then much will be revealed by this book.

  The author was educated at Ludgrove Preparatory School and Eton. He had one ambition which was to fly in the RAF but was rejected four times due to short sight. Never taking no for an answer, and a preparedness to bypass official channels, eventually paid off. He joined the RAF in April 1956, training on Jet Provost and Vampire, ‘Wings’ were awarded in December 1957 and he then flew Hunter, Venom and Meteor in the Middle East. Following a disastrous low-flying episode in Rhodesia, he became a Flying Officer with minus four months seniority. After returning to England he became ADC to the AOC 11 Group and flew Seahawk, Javelin and Canberra, eventually leaving the RAF to join a City merchant bank.

  As a civilian his weekends were spent at Redhill with the Tiger Club where, joining forces with Neil Williams, he flew a Zlin at the World Aerobatic Championships of 1966 in Moscow. The book ends with the author back flying Hunters in Saudi Arabia. It is written with an immaturity that is appropriate to his age at the time of the events and with a self-deprecating sense of humour. He is currently the Aviation Trustee of the Shuttleworth Trust.

210 x 145mm Hardback, 232 pages, 60 photos

 Officers with Air Rank potential are conspicious from an early age

by their dress and bearing!

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I Am Saluting You Sir

The Formative Years of a Test Pilot by Wg Cdr J A 'Robby' Robinson AFC, FRAes, RAF (Retd.)

“I Am Saluting You Sir” is Robby’s fourth book, the others being Avro One, Jet Bomber Pilot and Tester Zero One. Although it is his fourth to be published, it was the first of his autobiographies to be written and was begun when he was flying the Merchantman freighter around Europe after retiring from British Aerospace. He wrote it in many hotel bedrooms; “To prevent myself from becoming terminally bored!”

  He describes his progress from his childhood in Gloucester to becoming an RAF pilot. He was heavily influenced in his choice of career by being surrounded by RAF personnel during the 1939-1945 war and by his time as an ATC cadet. He volunteered for the RAF College Cranwell in 1949 and he describes with typical humour the trials and tribulations when undergoing the medical and aptitude tests required. His flying training at Cranwell was exciting at times and sometimes hilarious, but he survived to receive his wings and commission in December 1952.

This book makes an ideal introduction to his other three as they describe his subsequent careers as V-bomber pilot, an RAF test pilot and a Chief Test pilot for British Aerospace.

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Jet Bomber Pilot [Hardback]

To be launched at the

V-Force Reunion,

Tribute to the V-Force

at the Newark Air Museum

on the 24/25th April 2010.

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Jet Bomber Pilot [SoftBack]

Removed from circulation because of a major binding fault. Will be replaced by a larger, revised hardback version. All who purchased the original softback will be entitled to a discount against the new hardback on production of the original. Discount to be announced nearer to the publication date of the hardback version.

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Ours to Hold

RAF Aldergrove at War 1939 - 1945

by Tom Docherty

Aldergrove can trace its history back to 1918 when it was first used for the testing of Handley Page V/1500s built by Harland & Wolff. Closed not long after but retained by the RAF, the airfield was used occasionally before expansion began in 1925. The airfield was used continually between the wars supporting several bomber squadrons before becoming an Armament Training Station in 1936.

  Anti-submarine patrols were flown from Aldergrove during the early years of the Second World War, mainly with the Anson. Blenheims and Hurricanes provided both maritime and air defence for Ulster and Belfast. The Hudson was a common sight from 1941 and was followed by the Beaufighter.

  Together the aircraft provided an air defence and a coastal strike capability.

  Operational squadrons had departed by mid-1942 and Aldergrove briefly reverted to a training role. However, by early 1943, Liberators of 86 and 120 Sqn and Flying Fortresses of 220 Sqn brought operations back to the airfield. The airfield played a key role during the Battle of Atlantic with many attacks on U-boats recorded.

  1674 HCU followed, its main role being the training of crews for anti-submarine and meteorological reconnaissance, flying the Liberator, Fortress and Halifax.

  Post-war, a large number of units were based at Aldergrove until the airfield’s role changed at the end of the 1960s. Anti-terrorist operations brought 72 Sqn with the Wessex. Pumas arrived in the 1990s followed later by 230 Sqn who also operated the type. With half of the airfield now operating as Belfast International Airport, the presence of aircraft at Aldergrove is assured for many years to come.

  ‘Ours to Hold’ is a day-by-day account of operational life at Aldergrove during the Second World War. There are many personal reminiscences included in this book which bring the realities of living and working on this RAF Station to life.

266 x 220mm Hardback, 256 pages, 118 photos, 48 colour profiles

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Paths in the Wood

A Complete History of RAF North Witham

by

Martyn Chorlton

The story of RAF North Witham, which opened in 1943 as an Army Air Force Station 479. A5, 66 pages, 40 b&w photographs, 18 illustrations and 3 plans. ISBN:0-9544507-0-1

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Plane to Plane

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Produce the Ducks Downie

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Properly to Test Book One

Out of print, but long term plan to produce a revised version.

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Properly to Test, Book Two

Compiled by Bernard Noble

Properly to Test-Book Two "The Golden Era" is the second in the series of this increasingly popular subject. The book contains reminiscences of flying at the Aeroplane & Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) at Boscombe Down.

  A total of 43 individually written recollections have been gathered together by ex Test Pilot Bernard Noble, 23 of which feature in this, the second book. Book Two contains the memories of 17 Fixed Wing Pilots, four Helicopter Pilots, an Air Electronics Officer and a Radio Trials Officer who were involved in the Flight Testing of military aircraft and equipment at Boscombe Down from 1959 to 1980.

  Once again a huge range of Royal Air Force and Royal Navy aircraft are covered in the book, from the Westland Lysander, the early development period of the Bristol Belvedere through to the Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed F-117A ‘Stealth’ fighter.

  Each article is written in a individual style and it is interesting note how Test Pilots viewed the same trial or incident in a very different way.

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RAF Coltishall, Fighter Station

A Station History

by
Mick Jennings MBE

Comprehensive 304-page history of the famous Battle of Britain fighter station which sadly closed last year. Fifteen chapters, seven of which cover World War Two operations with details of every squadron and the extensive action they saw whilst serving at Coltishall. The many characters who passed through the station also feature; including Douglas Bader, Bob Stanford-Tuck, Bobby Oxspring, ‘Laddy’ Lucas, Johnnie Johnson and many more. The Jet age is covered in great detail including the Meteor, Venom, Javelin and of course the Lightning era.

270 x 220mm Hardback, 304 pages, 272 photos

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Ready or Not into the Wild Blue

The Aviation Career of a B-17 Pilot, 457th Bomb Group 8th AAF

by J. Francis Angier Major (Ret.)

  J. Francis Angier was raised on a Vermont farm and became a B-17 pilot during WWII. He flew jets and helicopters during the Cold War as well as many other types and models during a long aviation career. His love of flying was only exceeded by his love for his family and country.

 Shot down over Germany in 1944, he spent seven months as a POW. His training, air battles, capture and survival are part of the story. So too are the many experiences that positioned and prepared him for his part in the air war over Europe.

  Ready or Not will appeal to aviation enthusiasts, military & local historians. Angier gives the reader a taste of life in the USA before the Second World War, flying training, operations within an 8th Air Force Bomb Group (the 457th BG at Glatton (today Peterborough/Conington Airport)) and what it was like to become a prisoner of war.

232 x 154mm Softback, 274 pages, 80 photos      

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Tarnish 6, Jimmy Dell Biography

The Biography of Jimmy Dell OBE

by Frank Barnett-Jones.

I first met Jimmy Dell in 1988. I remember having to contact him via Roland Beamont, for information about the TSR.2. I firstly spoke to his wife and asked her if I could speak to Mr Dell, who said, “that he was outside working in the garden.” That evening was very useful and I remember spending some three quarters of hour just talking about the subject and anything else that interesting him. That was the beginning of a very useful friendship.

  We finished the original book in early 1993, and we looked forward to an exciting launch in September 1994. It was during the ‘book’ that I discovered more and more about Jimmy Dell. Needless to say that we decided to write it about him, from the beginning of his life, to as late as possible. The book was to be called ‘Tarnish 6’, which was his call sign and was given to him by British Aerospace.

  You have to describe Jimmy as a quiet, unassuming gentleman. His apparently placid exterior manner hid the multitude of stories that portray a career of hard work. He did, however, point out that it involved a certain amount of ‘being in the right place at the right time’. This does not hide the fact that without that special flair and abundance of knowledge, along with tremendous hard work, Jimmy Dell would have been just another pilot.

  The trials and tribulations of his flying career could fill volumes and his escapes from troublesome aircraft alone, have often been highlighted in a number of publications written on test flying.

  This is Jimmy Dell, that I knew, I can only write in respect for a man who I called a ‘gentleman’.

240 x 170mm, 282pp, hardback, 120 B&W photos.

ISBN 9781901183-02-8.

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Tester Zero One

The Making of a Test Pilot

by Wg Cdr J A 'Robby' Robinson

Tester Zero One was the official call sign of the Chief Instructor of the Empire Test Pilots School (ETPS). Robby was lucky enough to have been a student, tutor and Chief Instructor of the world famous school and this book tells the journey.

  Test flying and the various trials associated it are covered in great detail, highlighting the complexity and hidden dangers that the occupation involves. The authors writing style makes this complicated subject easy to understand and is diluted with humour and many anecdotes.

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What A Bloody Arrival

A Wartime Story of Survival

by Martin Smith

That night we gave up paddling completely and just lay in the dinghy. We rarely baled and at times six inches of water slopped around us.....We huddled together all night, shaking like leaves, unable to sleep. I know that I was quite prepared to give up and prayed to God that  could doze off and never wake up.........

£15 WILL BE DONATED THE RAF BENEVOLENT FUND [Limited number available] 
210 x 145mm Hardback, 176 pages, 9 photos

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