Alec Brew Bücher

The book explores the rich and diverse history of Wolverhampton, tracing its development from a small settlement to a thriving industrial town. It delves into significant events, influential figures, and the cultural evolution of the area. Key themes include the impact of the Industrial Revolution, local traditions, and the community's resilience through various challenges. With detailed accounts and illustrations, it offers a comprehensive look at how Wolverhampton has shaped and been shaped by its inhabitants over the centuries.

The Boulton Paul Balliol was the last British aircraft powered by the iconic Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. Also, the Balliol was the last piston-powered advanced trainer in both the Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm, and yet it began life as the world's first turbo-trainer. Conceived in the last days of the Second World War as a new trainer to be powered by a revolutionary turboprop engine, it became the first aircraft to be powered by a single prop-jet, beating the rival Avro Athena into the air by just two weeks. Policy was to change and it went into production powered by the trusty Merlin and Boulton Paul hoped for huge orders with a second production line opened at Blackburn Aircraft. Yet, policy was to change again and in the end only 200 planes were built as the RAF decided to switch to all-jet training. A dozen were sold to the Royal Ceylon Air Force and as yet another footnote in aviation history, the Balliol became the last aircraft built by Boulton Paul who were world leaders in the production of power controls such as its famous machine-gun turrets that saw action in the Second World War

A fascinating collection of merged historic and modern images that reflect the changes in Wolverhampton through the decades.

The first great British aero-engine manufacturer Sunbeam made a vital contribution to victory in the First World War. Fitted to the first aircraft to torpedo a ship, the only one to fly at Jutland, they saw service on 3 continents. Sunbeams powered the R.34 airship, the first to fly the Atlantic east to west, and land speed record-breaking cars.

Fully illustrated description of Wolverhampton’s well known, and lesser known, places that have been lost over the years.

This book traces the development and operational history of the Defiant and Roc, the only two turret fighters to fly operations, from Dunkirk (where the first Defiant squadron, 264, set a record of 37 victories without loss on one day) to the Battle of Britain.