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Peter Caygill
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Javelin from the Cockpit: Britain's First Delta Wing Fighter Kindle Edition

by Peter Caygill (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 67 ratings
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An in-depth history of this RAF twin-engined interceptor, including firsthand accounts from those who flew it.
 
The Gloster Javelin was designed to be a night/all-weather fighter. First introduced into RAF service in 1956 and retired in 1967, it was a large two-man, twin-engined and delta-winged aircraft. Although the Javelin was extremely rugged in construction, pilots were banned from spinning as test flights had proved it impossible to recover.
 
During its service, nine different marks were introduced. At first it was armed with four wing-mounted cannon, but as technology advanced, air-to-air missiles replaced them. In its role as a night/all-weather fighter it bristled with Britain’s latest radar and interception devices. This book includes development history, the different marks and their subtleties, radar and weapon capabilities, accidents and incidents—and many firsthand aircrew experiences of the type.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    294 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Pen & Sword Aviation
  5. Publication date
    February 29, 2012
  6. File size
    9301 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter Caygill has had a lifelong interest in aviation history. His previous books The Darlington Spitfire (1840370769) and Spitfire Mark V in Action (1840372486) were both published by Airlife. He obtained a private pilot's license in 1979 and is a member of Cleveland Flying School.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00B1GSJ9Q
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pen & Sword Aviation (February 29, 2012)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 29, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 9301 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 294 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 67 ratings

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Peter Caygill

Peter Caygill

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
67 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

M. LORIS
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting even if not much fascinated by the Javelin
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2014
I've found here the right mix between technical and pilot notes and stories. A suggestive dive into the early Cold War jet-era when strapping into cockpit was always a bet with the fate, light years far from super technological artificial-stabilized cyber-jets.

I've really enjoyed reading it even if I didn't feel (before reading this book) much simpaty for the first british delta fighter.

I love this kind of books because they make me feel just like being there just in that times. Great job Mr Caygill, just finished I've jumped with you into BAC Lightning for another ride (reading "Lightning from the cockpit").
3 people found this helpful
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R.G.Evans
4.0 out of 5 stars Javelin Marks and their Operations
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2013
Verified Purchase
Being an ex Jav-Jockey I was au fait with the later marks, the Mk. 7 & 9, having flown more than 1,200 hours on them. Many of the characters featured were colleagues of mine, although sadly many have made their last take-offs now. I would recommend this book to any Cold War enquirers to find out how we attempted to outwit the Ruskies, usually succeeding.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars First rate account of the Javelin's development and operational history ...
Reviewed in Canada on June 10, 2018
Verified Purchase
First rate account of the Javelin's development and operational history told from the point of view of those who flew it.
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BONJELL
5.0 out of 5 stars Javelin from the cockpit
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 14, 2013
Verified Purchase
As a airbuff this is the kind of book that I really enjoy, but because I'm an airbuff I want to read all the technical stuff and to follow the development of the aircraft. However it IS very technical, and the reader may well feel bored with all the measurements and statistics that are in the text.
I found that the author had been very thorough in his research and has managed to 'join up' the technical stuff with a readable narrative to go with it.
Perhaps an aspect which I had not realised was the day by day danger the regular pilots were in from malfunctions in the Javelin, be it engine fires to systems failures, which necessitated the ejection of the crew. I didn't count the number of pilots, and navigators who perished on a regular basis in these early years of advanced jets in squadron service. Today we take reliability in jet engines and in ejection situations for granted.
I loved the shape of the Javelin, and it was well liked by the pilots and crews and had a very capable radar. The author's recalling of many intercepts of other fighters, in all weathers was really exciting. In fact when the Phantoms came along, there were many pilots and crew who would rather have kept their Javelins.
A great read for all airbuffs
3 people found this helpful
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THE ABBOT
4.0 out of 5 stars The first third of the book is pretty hard going with lots of performance and technical details ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 12, 2015
Verified Purchase
The first third of the book is pretty hard going with lots of performance and technical details for each mark of Javelin, but then we get to the first-hand accounts of those who flew in them from the front or back seat. It was a revelation as I, even after 24 years in the RAF always had the opinion they were killers. Okay, they had their design and construction faults but it seems, in spite of the accident rate, the crews seemed to love the things. Understandable really, as their previous mounts for night fighting had been Meteors and Venoms and few of those with bang seats when things stopped burning and turning. Well worth the cash and very revealing.
2 people found this helpful
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Gaarghoile
5.0 out of 5 stars TheGloster Javelin did everything that was asked of it.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 8, 2020
Verified Purchase
No one really liked this early radar equipped twin engined jet fighter a lot was asked of it. It was complicated and difficult to master but all 1950s jets were flawed in some way. Yes - it had too many vices to be loved - but it did it's job so the basic design was ok.

We couldn't do without it so we had to make it work. Slowly but surely we knuckled down and made it all work together and we learned a lot from the experience. For it's time - on reflection the unloved overcomplicated Gloster Javelin was a design initiative made real to be a concept of a leading edge all weather Fighter/Interceptor which responded magnificently...
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Ron McGuffie
3.0 out of 5 stars Ron McGuffie
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 21, 2012
Verified Purchase
A very informative book, a little heavy handed regarding times to altitude and speeds to high mach numbers in the first 65 pages. All aircrew mentioned by name and plane types recorded . Interesting aspect of this book was the writers care in describing accidents of the Javelin a fighter troubled by engine failure and bad stalling and handling during engine failure. I was interested when thinking of buying this book and it fulfilled my interest. A well written episode of British Aircraft in a testing time fighting Governments interference in the production of Aircraft at this time. A good read from Amazon Books.
10 people found this helpful
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