The Fairey Battle (Hardback)

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“The book meets all of my expectations …Possibly in terms of the general public the subject matter is very specialist - but nevertheless is an excellent read to WW2 historians like myself. It is exciting that there are new publications like these that tell the stories of lesser-known 'failures' - and represent a refreshing change from (well-worn) 'Battle of Britain Spitfires' books.”

Amazon Review

“Worth a read. This book gives an example of the RAF 'powers that be' attitude towards bombing. Only strategic bombing was to be countenanced. This book depicts the Fairey Battle as being a potentially effective aircraft which never fulfilled its promise due to lack of interest from the RAF 'powers'. A lot of good men suffered because of the RAFs lack of interest”

Amazon Review

“The author does an excellent job explaining how the Battle came to be, the thinking behind it, and how it fell so completely out of favour before deliveries were even completed. I was amazed to learn that in the autumn of 1940, even as the RAF was preparing to resist invasion by throwing old Hawker Hinds, armed Tiger Moths and whatnot into the fray (Operation Banquet), some 300 new and unused Battles were standing around in aircraft storage units."

Amazon Review

“After overcoming my astonishment that anyone would try to re-appraise the Fairey Battle, I ordered this work and was not disappointed. I discovered a lot about the Battle which I didn't know previously, and was even more interested to read Baughen's explanation of why losses were so high. I would also comment on how Baughen refreshingly cuts through the dogma surrounding this aircraft and the Air Ministry in general (something which I've since discovered is common to a lot of his other works). Overall, this is a good and fairly effortless read which would suit amateur and professional students of the history of the RAF alike.”

Amazon Review

"This is certainly a bold little book for students of 1940's Blitzkrieg. Get a fresh slant on one of WWII's most maligned machines – and grab this ripping read.”

David L Veres - Cybermodeler Online

“Highly recommended for anyone with deep interest in the technology, and especially the politics, and doctrine of the RAF."

Amazon Review

“An eye-opener. Well written and informative, this books dispels a great many myths about this aircraft. “

Amazon Review

“Thoroughly enjoyable and absorbing, I found it educational and easy to read as well. Would recommend if, like me, you harbour an interest in modern military aviation history.”

Amazon Review

"...an excellent and readable book which goes a long way towards explaining some of the strange decisions made in the 1939/1940 period, as well as finally rehabilitating the much-maligned Fairey Battle"

Aero Modeller - November 2017

“...an interesting and well argued examination of why the Battle was so spectacular a failure...the reasons clearly go much deeper than the Battle simply having been 'an obsolete aircraft'"

Aeroplane - October 2017

"...a very interesting look at the Fairy Battle, and one which challenges the common perception of it as a failure."

Military Model Scene - June 20017

“I have every Baughen book. In my library of over 100 military aviation volumes they are among the most prized. Documented, well written, interesting. Baughen goes beyond the RAF myth and shows a world of petty jealousies, stubbornness and inefficiencies that makes one appreciate even more the courage and results of the crews. This one book is maybe the most surprising. We all "knew" the Fairey Battle was awful. Turns out it could easily have fared a lot better if only some simple technical and tactical measures had been taken. The Battle disaster was not really all the plane's fault: it was mostly a command failure. An eye opener on the aircraft and human nature in general. Read it, really.”

Amazon Review