263 and 137 Squadrons: The Whirlwind Years Hardcover – April 15, 2014

I purchased a copy of this book courtesy of The Whirlwind Fighter Project. It was received kindly autographed by the author. Hardbound and printed on excellent stock this book is well worth having in one's collection. Even though only two operational squadrons were associated with this unusual aircraft there are many flying stories included that are deservedly told. Also provided are details such as the history of each aircraft along with the many crew that both flew and maintained the Whirlwind.Sprinkled throughout "The Whirlwind Years" are many, many photos that have not appeared before of both men and machine including post operational battle damage and non-operational accidents. The plates are interspersed throughout the text in a most effective manner which made reading this book that much more enjoyable.NOTE: Although out-of-print Profile Publications No. 191 "The Westland Whirlwind" monograph is also recommended as a companion to this volume.

A very good, well written account of the operational use of an often forgotten fighter, the Westland Whirlwind, the first British twin-engined fighter packing a heavy armament of four 20 mm cannons. The book comes with personal accounts of pilots who flew this aircraft which adds flavour to it. Thoroughly recommended.

After decades of neglect, there has been a recent minor revival of interest in Westland's revolutionary twin-engined single-seat fighter from the early years of WW2. The Whirlwind's armament of four 20mm cannon mounted in the nose was exceptionally lethal for 1940, and it missed out playing a star role in the Battle of Britain only because multiple teething troubles needed sorting out by the manufacturer with the fuel-feed system for the RR Peregrine engines, the undercarriage which could not withstand hard landings, and the troublesome cannon firing mechanism. These issues were rectified within a few months, and the Whirlwind became a great favorite with its pilots who came to see themselves as a special breed.Robert Bowater has written a detailed and informative book about this unusual and initially troublesome aircraft, paying particular attention to its operational service with the only two RAF squadrons equipped with it between 1940 and 1943, when it was replaced by the Typhoon. The original concept of the Whirlwind was broadly similar to that of Willi Messerschmitt's Me110 `Zerstoerer' or the P38 Lightning in USAAF service, but the Whirlwind was lighter and more agile and did not have the long operating range of either of its contemporaries. The Whirlwind eventually found its niche as a low-level ground attack aircraft and was deployed against Luftwaffe airfields in France through 1941-43, against German shipping off the northern French coast and in escorting Atlantic convoys into home waters. It also scored numerous air combat victories against the FW190 and Me109 fighters of the Luftwaffe, and shot down many twin-engined bombers like the Ju88.Bowater's book is written in a readable and engaging style, well-planned and organized, full of photos set into the text i.e. not in separate sections of glossy photo pages. It's about the men who flew the Whirlwind as much as about the aircraft itself, and three chapters are devoted to the accounts of pilots shot down and variously detained as POWs. George Albert Wood spent time being sheltered by French civilians in Brittany before escaping by boat, only to discover on returning to England that everyone believed he had been killed when shot down and his obituary had been published in the press, and he had a hard time convincing people (including MI5) that he was still alive.The author's devotion to his subject and thoroughness of research shines through, and it's difficult to see how the book might have been further improved. The one caution is that because the book is principally a comprehensive, documented historical record the narrative tends towards the factual and is not a racy, novelistic page-turner.

This is an amazing book bringing to light information that may never have been known, It is about a lot of men and women who served in the war but never had their stories heard or knownFor myself , I learned about my father and am so proud of what he did for our country

Ok, I'll admit I've yet to read the book properly, but on just a quick glance, I know it's 5 stars from me! Lots of illustrations I've never seen before, & lots of personal reminiscences from squadron members. Just what I like. There is some technical background to the a/c, but mostly it is fascinating personal stories. My son has already borrowed this book (he knew an ex Whirlwind pilot before his recent death) so I'll have to wait until he has finished with it before I can do it proper justice. A great buy, in my opinion.

A little known top fighter ahead of its time and took on the best of the Luftwaffe. If developments and improvements to the engines were allowed I am sure it would have been just as famous as the Spitfire and the Mosquito.William HattoWilliam

Factual. interesting, and a compelling read. Highlighted how brave the young men of the day were. Delighted that a family friend was featured, including a wonderful photograph of him, sadly he has just died at age 92 years of age.

After decades of neglect, there has been a recent minor revival of interest in Westland's revolutionary twin-engined single-seat fighter from the early years of WW2. The Whirlwind's armament of four 20mm cannon mounted in the nose was exceptionally lethal for 1940, and it missed out playing a star role in the Battle of Britain only because multiple teething troubles needed sorting out by the manufacturer with the fuel-feed system for the RR Peregrine engines, the undercarriage which could not withstand hard landings, and the troublesome cannon firing mechanism. These issues were rectified within a few months, and the Whirlwind became a great favourite with its pilots who came to see themselves as a special breed.Robert Bowater has written a detailed and informative book about this unusual and initially troublesome aircraft, paying particular attention to its operational service with the only two RAF squadrons equipped with it between 1940 and 1943, when it was replaced by the Typhoon. The original concept of the Whirlwind was broadly similar to that of Willi Messerschmitt's Me110 `Zerstoerer' or the P38 Lightning in USAAF service, but the Whirlwind was lighter and more agile and did not have the long operating range of either of its contemporaries. The Whirlwind eventually found its niche as a low-level ground attack aircraft and was deployed against Luftwaffe airfields in France through 1941-43, against German shipping off the northern French coast and in escorting Atlantic convoys into home waters. It also scored numerous air combat victories against the FW190 and Me109 fighters of the Luftwaffe, and shot down many twin-engined bombers like the Ju88.Bowater's book is written in a readable and engaging style, well-planned and organized, full of photos set into the text i.e. not in separate sections of glossy photo pages. It's about the men who flew the Whirlwind as much as about the aircraft itself, and three chapters are devoted to the accounts of pilots shot down and variously detained as POWs. George Albert Wood spent time being sheltered by French civilians in Brittany before escaping by boat, only to discover on returning to England that everyone believed he had been killed when shot down and his obituary had been published in the press, and he had a hard time convincing people (including MI5) that he was still alive.The author's devotion to his subject and thoroughness of research shines through, and it's difficult to see how the book might have been further improved. The one caution is that because the book is principally a comprehensive, documented historical record the narrative tends towards the factual and is not a racy, novelistic page-turner.