Charlotte Bailey

Whether an ardent aviation enthusiast or not, all those who have turned their eyes upward to the sky at an air show will be familiar with the thrilling flying performed by multiple aircraft. However, long before the world-famous RAF Red Arrows were simultaneously looping and rolling through carefully choreographed aerial routines, a wide variety of other military teams were taking it in turns to wow the crowds. With the formation of an aerobatic team serving a number of highly useful purposes – from expanding pilot capabilities, to showcasing a service’s skill to a PR engagement with members of the public – these aerial entertainers seldom failed to excite. Following the evolution of British aerobatic teams from the dawn of the jet age, this meticulously researched volume incorporates exhilarating first-hand accounts from a myriad of RAF and Fleet Air Arm outfits: including early Meteor and Vampire formations, lesser-known Hunter teams, popular Jet Provost units, the iconic Yellowjacks and their celebrated successors, right up to the ‘Reds’. So climb aboard a Sea Vixen, strap into a Lightning and follow the Black Arrows around their world-record 22-Hunter loop in this comprehensive profusely illustrated celebration of formation flying.

Sliding out of the shadows of World War Two, the de Havilland Vampire – accompanied by the distinctive whine of its Goblin engine – quickly proved itself an effective alternative to piston-powered fighters. After entering operational service with the RAF (as the service’s first single-engined jet) in 1946, the Vampire – sought by air forces the world over – held a number of notable records: the first fighter to exceed 500 mph, the first to set a world altitude record of almost 60,000 ft, the first jet to take off and land from an aircraft carrier, and the first jet to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Not bad for something built partly of wood. Throughout these pages, the “Vampire Boys” bring to life the trials and tribulations of operating a first-generation jet across the globe. Through their insightful anecdotes and exceptional experiences, the reader can follow squadrons across the dusty deserts of Iraq to exercises in West Germany. First-hand tales of training, aerial handling, incidents and accidents (including the much-maligned spin characteristics) and squadron life – accompanied by unique images – bring together a portrait of a pioneering time in aviation advancement, right up to the present day with the T.11 still flying from Coventry Airport.

David and Charlotte Bailey are back with a new book focusing on the different ways to cook natural, unrefined and unprocessed vegetarian food on a grill. Exploring a growing market for cooking vegetarian food outdoors, David and Charlotte bring their expertise and show you a wide variety of techniques and recipes for a vegetarian friendly barbecue menu. Fresh Veggie BBQ also includes more practical elements of barbecuing, such as an exploration of the different woods to use, the basics of how to build and light a fire, the different equipment available and variations for charcoal, gas and indoor cooking. So whether cooking on gas, burying packed parcels into hot coals or serving up the perfect summer salad, you’ll be able to create a delicious summer feast. Celebrating a healthy outdoors lifestyle with rustic, unfussy food and lots of charred, smoked, woody and robust flavours that meat-eaters and vegans alike will devour, recipes include Sticky Tempeh ‘Ribs’, Miso-glazed Aubergine, Shiitake and Smoked Tofu Skewers, Ember-roasted Pumpkin Tagine and Chipotle Barbecue Sauce. For ease of use, chapters focus on the different techniques for cooking with open heat to produce starters, mains and desserts. So whether you have a Dutch oven (Cauldron/Potjie Pot), Skillet/Chapa Barbecue grate, want to cook with skewers or use the cooling embers and ash, you’ll know exactly where to turn to. There are also chapters on Salads, Sauces and Sides and Drinks to make your veggie BBQ sizzle!