Wings of War
The World War II Fighter Plane that Saved the Allies and the Believers Who Made It Fly
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Wings of War
Narrated by:
René Ruiz
Buy Now for £12.78
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Narrated by:
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René Ruiz
“Aviation buffs will cheer this high-flying saga.”—Publishers Weekly • “[A] fascinating book about passion and innovation.”—Walter Isaacson • “An essential book for those who appreciate tales of military bravery, and also for all seeking understanding of decision-making under pressure. A major contribution.”—E. J. Dionne, Jr.
When the P-51 Mustang began tearing across European skies in early 1944, the Allies had been losing the air war for years. Staggering numbers of bomber crews, both British and American, had been shot down and killed thanks to the Luftwaffe’s superior fighter force. Not only did the air war appear grim, but any landing of troops in France was impossible while German fighters hunted overhead. But behind the scenes, a team of visionaries had begun to design a bold new type of airplane, one that could outrun and outmaneuver Germany’s best.
Wings of War is the incredible true story of the P-51 Mustang fighter and the unlikely crew of designers, engineers, test pilots, and army officers who brought it from the drafting table to the skies over World War II. This is hardly a straightforward tale of building an airplane—for years, the team was stymied by corruption within the defense industry and stonewalled by the Army Air Forces, who failed to understand the Mustang’s potential. But when squadrons of Mustangs were finally unleashed over Hitler’s empire, the Luftwaffe was decimated within months, clearing the skies for D-Day. A compelling, character-focused narrative replete with innovation, determination, and bravery, Wings of War is the never-before-told story of the airplane that truly changed the course of World War II.
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If the listener is aware of the Merlin story the development of the Merlin 60 and Hives decision to put it into a Spitfire V to become the famous Spitfire IX, Part 1 inaccuracies will frustrate and infuriate you.
I therefore recommend going straight to Part 2 which clearly the authors are far more comfortable with.
The numerous inaccuracies in part 1 are disappointing, but should have been avoided had the authors checked the Rolls Royce historical series book 9 or Wilfrid Freeman The genus behind Allied Survival and Air Supremacy 1939 to 1945.
The key reason for the Merlin Mustang development is covered by Ernst Hives letter to Sir Wilfrid Freeman 17th June 1942 and nothing to do with the FW190. Hives wasn’t convinced Supermarine would have the new heavyweight Spitfire ready to receive the Griffon 61 engine, ultimately to become the Spitfire XIV. He recommended Mustang has a fallback, the irony being he remarked in the letter, if they turned the Mustang into an excellent fighter then the US Army Air force would seek to collar the lot.
So ignore Part 1 go straight to Part 2.
Best to start at Part 2, if you are aware of the Rolls Royce involvement
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Bit USA centric
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Childishly written and factually correct innacurate
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