Sigh for a Merlin Testing the Spitfire
Sigh for a Merlin Testing the Spitfire by Alex Henshaw, published by Crecy Publishing in 2022, offers an insightful look into the life of a prominent test pilot during World War II. This edition spans 240 pages and is presented in English, detailing Henshaw’s experiences as he transitioned from air racing in the 1930s to becoming a chief test pilot for Spitfires at the Castle Bromwich factory in Birmingham.
Readers will discover Henshaw’s remarkable journey as he conducted thousands of test flights, often under challenging conditions, and his unique flying style that contributed to his survival in hazardous situations. The book delves into the technical and historical aspects of aviation during the war, highlighting the significance of the Spitfire in military history. With a focus on technology and engineering, this work provides a comprehensive account of Henshaw’s contributions to aviation and the broader context of World War II.
Official synopsis Publisher
Alex Henshaw was awarded his private pilot’s in 1932 and made a name for himself during the 1930s competing in the air races which were to popular at the time. At the start of World War II he became a test pilot first for Vickers Armstrong but was then invited by Jeffrey Quill to test Spitfires at Eastleigh. In June 1940, Henshaw moved to the Castle Bromwich factory in Birmingham shortly afterwards becoming Chief Test Pilot there.
In the years that followed, he flew thousands of the Spitfires and Seafires which were built at the plant, sometimes test flying as many as 20 different aircraft in a single day. By the end of the war, 37,000 test flights had been made with Henshaw flying an estimated ten percent of all Spitfires ever built. It could be hazardous work and two test pilots working from Castle Bromwich were killed in crashes. Often flying in poor conditions and landing without aids of any kind, Henshaw’s breathtaking acrobatic style and complete mastery of the aircraft were to save his life on several occasions.
This is a new impression of a classic book about a truly classic aircraft. Much has been written about the Spitfire but as the reviewer of Sigh for a Merlinin Pilot Magazineput it, ‘If you only buy one Spitfire book, make this it.’
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