From Spitfire to Focke Wulf: The Diary and Log Book of Pilot H. Leonard Thorne, 1940-45

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H. Leonard Thorne Gill Griffin

From Spitfire to Focke Wulf

The Diary and Log Book of Pilot H. Leonard Thorne, 1940-45

H. Leonard Thorne, Gill Griffin, Barry Griffin

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English

The History Press Ltd
01 August 2023

Autobiography: historical, political & military; Diaries, letters & journals; Memoirs; Second World War; Air forces & warfare

An insightful look into the life of a wartime test pilot.

In May 1940, 20-year-old Len Thorne joined the RAF, as did many young men during the Second World War. After two hectic tours of operational duty as a fighter pilot, including some desperately dangerous low-level flying at Dunkirk, he was posted to AFDU (Air Fighting Development Unit) and remained there as a test pilot for the rest of the war.

Fortunately for us, Len kept a detailed diary, which, set alongside his log book, tells the unique story of a test pilot tasked with developing operational tactics and testing captured enemy aircraft, such as the feared Fw 190. During Len's career, he worked alongside some of the most famous fighter aces and his records cast light on some of the most famous flyers of the RAF, including Wing Commander Al Deere and Spitfire aces Squadron Leader 'Paddy' Finucane, Ernie Ryder and many others.

A unique record of military aviation history, From Spitfire to Focke Wulf offers a window to this era of rapid and high-stakes aircraft development.

AUTHOR: Leonard Thorne was born in 1920 in the village of Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire. He studied at grammar schools in Aylesbury, Birmingham, Tewkesbury and Slough. After matriculation he joined High Duty Alloys in Slough and then moved with the company to Redditch. He joined the RAF in May 1940. Len died in 2008. His diary and log book have been collated by Gill Griffin and Barry Griffin, his daughter and his son-in-law.

40 b/w illustrations

By: H. Leonard Thorne
Edited by: Gill Griffin, Barry Griffin
Imprint: The History Press Ltd
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: New edition
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 129mm,
ISBN: 9781803993584
ISBN 10: 1803993588
Publication Date: 01 August 2023
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Unspecified

Leonard Thorne was born in 1920 in the village of Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire. He studied at grammar schools in Aylesbury, Birmingham, Tewkesbury and Slough. After matriculation he joined High Duty Alloys in Slough and then moved with the company to Redditch. He joined the RAF in May 1940. Len died in 2008. His diary and log book have been collated by Gill Griffin and Barry Griffin, his daughter and his son-in-law.