{"product_id":"the-first-flight-chris-newey-9781915335494","title":"The First Flight: The Origins of the New Zealand Bomber Squadron","description":"In 1938, with war looming in Europe, the New Zealand government launched a\u003cbr\u003ebold plan to bolster the country's long-neglected air defences, based on the\u003cbr\u003eadvice of a young RAF officer, Ralph Cochrane. Cochrane's new RNZAF would\u003cbr\u003ebe built around two new long range reconnaissance and strike squadrons, and\u003cbr\u003efor this, 30 of Britain's most up-to-date bomber aircraft needed to be\u003cbr\u003epurchased and delivered from the other side of the world. Led by a legendary\u003cbr\u003ewing commander and some of New Zealand's most celebrated aviators, a team of\u003cbr\u003epilots and technicians was assembled in England to fly them back, six at a\u003cbr\u003etime. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBy late August 1939, war was imminent and the government offered to put the\u003cbr\u003emen and machines at the disposal of the Royal Air Force (RAF). It was the\u003cbr\u003efirst material contribution to Britain's war effort by any Commonwealth\u003cbr\u003ecountry, made a week before war was declared. The first ferry flight had\u003cbr\u003ebeen due to leave only a month later. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBut the generous gesture left New Zealand vulnerable to attack, without any\u003cbr\u003emodern front-line aircraft and without some of its most experienced pilots.\u003cbr\u003eThe country's ineffective defences against attack from the sea were quickly\u003cbr\u003eexposed. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAfter seven months of political debate and hard work the small unit was\u003cbr\u003eeventually built up to full operational status - No. 75 (New Zealand)\u003cbr\u003eSquadron - the first Commonwealth squadron to be formed within the RAF. 'The\u003cbr\u003eNew Zealand Bomber Squadron' became famous for its many accomplishments\u003cbr\u003eduring the Second World War and a source of great national pride. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eUntil now, the story of how it came into being has never been properly told.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Chris Newey\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1915335493\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781915335494\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Aviation Books Ltd.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 12\/02\/2024\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 178\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.94lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 11.00h x 8.50w x 0.38d","brand":"Chris Newey","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46431606374655,"sku":"9781915335494","price":25.53,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_18a5a220-3189-45a1-b0b1-b8591ee447e5.jpg?v=1735141842","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-first-flight-chris-newey-9781915335494","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}