Epic book pays tribute to our RAF
Let's Talk|March 2020
A story told so well, rare photographs of the RAF and illustrations by Norfolk artist Mike Bailey all come together in an important new book. Derek James takes a look.
Derek James
Epic book pays tribute to our RAF

We live in a part of the country where our skies have been a favourite for fliers ever since aircraft left the ground.

In the First World War aircraft were produced from Norwich factories and during the Second World War many airfields in Norfolk and Suffolk – both for the RAF and the USAAF – were bases for thousands of airmen from which to launch attacks and raids across enemy territory. And many of them lost their lives as planes crashed to Earth in hectic aerial battles.

Now an important new book, RAF Fighter Command: Defence of the Realm 1936-1945, tells in extraordinary detail exactly what went on and how Fighter Command helped us win the war.

It is written and produced by a great double act. Author Ron Mackay has written many books on the air forces during the war, and the illustrations are by top aviation painter Mike Bailey of Norwich.

In the past they have worked together on such books covering the American Air Force as Second in Line, Second to None and Liberators Over Norwich.

This story is from the March 2020 edition of Let's Talk.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March 2020 edition of Let's Talk.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM LET'S TALKView All
STOP ME AND BUY ONE: Nigel's on the way with his 1981 Bedford
Let's Talk

STOP ME AND BUY ONE: Nigel's on the way with his 1981 Bedford

It’s something we all recall with delight. “Mum, it’s the ice cream man!” Let’s Talk’s motoring man David Clayton meets someone happy to be the owner of a Bedford ice cream van. Bring on the Strawberry Mivvis, choc ices and 99s ...

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2020
Beautiful Hill: Normandy Origin For A Name Meaning
Let's Talk

Beautiful Hill: Normandy Origin For A Name Meaning

Let’s Talk’s surnames expert Derek Palgrave, from Suffolk, researches three more of our readers’ names, the first of which probably stems from the geographical presence of a beautiful hill.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2020
Words of wisdom about a hobby so many of us love
Let's Talk

Words of wisdom about a hobby so many of us love

Let’s Talk’s gardening expert Charlotte Philcox has been trawling through some books to find words of wisdom from so many people about gardening and farming. Here she shares just a few.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2020
Vicki remains so positive despite missing her panto
Let's Talk

Vicki remains so positive despite missing her panto

For actress Vicki Michelle, Christmas usually means performing in panto. But, due the coronavirus pandemic, this year will be different. Vicki speaks to Rachel Banham about her plans for the festive season, her outlook on life and her fond memories of filming in East Anglia.

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2020
Two centuries on Thomas would be DELIGHTED WITH HIS SUCCESS
Let's Talk

Two centuries on Thomas would be DELIGHTED WITH HIS SUCCESS

He was a man without sight but with such vision. Derek James remembers Thomas Tawell who died 200 years ago.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2020
TURNING 50
Let's Talk

TURNING 50

Here at Let’s Talk we recognise that our magazine is targeted at those aged 50 and older. So we hope we are always fair to our readers and to the older generation in general. But it seems many believe other media and businesses do not treat older people in the best way.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2020
THE CHASE COULD BE ON FOR a Norfolk home for Bradley Walsh
Let's Talk

THE CHASE COULD BE ON FOR a Norfolk home for Bradley Walsh

He is one of the most popular celebrities on television at the moment. He’s a comedian, singer, actor, personality and probably the best quiz show host doing the rounds. David Clayton looks back to when Bradley Walsh came to Cromer.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2020
The calendar is rolling around to the WINTER SOLSTICE
Let's Talk

The calendar is rolling around to the WINTER SOLSTICE

Claire Manion, of Norfolk-based Broadsky Astrology, looks at how we have always honoured the winter solstice, our shortest day.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2020
PEACE, GOODWILL AND PROSPERITY must surely follow
Let's Talk

PEACE, GOODWILL AND PROSPERITY must surely follow

In view of such uncertainty hanging over the rest of this year – and possibly well beyond – it was hard to come up with a suitable offering for December in his usual style, says Keith Skipper. So, he has decided to settle for a festive story set in 1951, that he wrote some time ago.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2020
Friends
Let's Talk

Friends

Readers of our short stories don’t have to have long memories to recall work by Anne Maxwell, who had a previous short story entry published in the summer.

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2020