Originally developed for the US Navy, this twin-engined supersonic long-range fighter-bomber first flew in the spring of 1958. It then entered service for the US Navy in 1961, and in 1969 with the Fleet Air Arm and RAF in the UK. Regarded as one of the most versatile fighters ever built, the Phantom F-4 was the US Navy’s fastest and highest-flying aircraft. It was flown by both US military demonstration teams (Navy Blue Angels and the Air Force Thunderbirds) from 1969 to 1973. It ended its service in 1991 with the RAF. But it continued to serve a variety of air forces across the world, with some still in service fifty years after its first flight. Throughout the twenty chapters of this book, thirteen contributors will take readers across the world with adventures in the Falkland Islands, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the Far East and Germany. There are anecdotes of reconnaissance missions, encounters with the Russian Tupolevs, record-breaking flights and life on HMS Ark Royal.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 224

Dimensions: 156 x 234 mm

Publication Date: 30-04-2020

After being called up for National Service in July 1960, twenty-year-old Chas Hall joined the RAF and signed on to extend his time for an extra three years becoming a regular serviceman. Following initial training, he became a wireless operator and served at RAF Mildenhall. It was shortly after this that he got his first foreign posting in late 1961 to Christmas Island. It was on this island that Chas encountered the horrors of nuclear testing. In an operation codenamed ‘Brigadoon’ by the British government and ‘Dominic’ by the Americans, Chas experienced 25 atmospheric nuclear tests. This he describes as his ‘12-month sentence’ alongside over 300 British and 10,000 American servicemen who were posted to one corner of a remote coral island. Facing Armageddon reveals the true extent of the controversial nuclear testing and how it affected servicemen; with 25 men dying during Chas’s time on Christmas Island and many more suffering mentally as they continued serving on the island. With the British government announcing medals for nuclear test veterans in November 2022 to recognise their contribution in the tests after a four-year campaign by participants and The Mirror newspaper, Chas’s story gives insight to why these servicemen deserve the recognition for their part in these tests. This book will contain a number of unpublished photos from the author’s personal collection and is an essential piece of work in understanding the tough conditions servicemen faced during their time on Christmas Island.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 208

Dimensions: 156 x 234 mm

Publication Date: 31-08-2023

Fifteen years since it was originally published, Grub Street is proud to present the re-issue of Poles in Defence of Britain. To the Polish volunteers who were to fly and fight so brilliantly and tenaciously throughout the Battle of Britain, the United Kingdom was known as ‘Last Hope Island’. Many lost their lives, such as Antoni Ostowicz, many achieved glory and became aces – such as Glowacki, Skalski and Witorzenc. The RAF came to depend on these men, with over 100 Polish pilots supporting almost thirty fighter squadrons, most especially 302, 303 and 307 (night fighter). ‘An exhaustive record of the heroic actions of the Polish pilots who escaped to Britain and helped ensure its survival.’ Pennant ‘The result of many years of research, sharp and comprehensive, the text is supported by an excellent selection of rare photos.’ Air Mail

Bind: hardback

Pages: 304

Dimensions: 150 x 234 mm

Publication Date: 21-04-2016

In Harrier Boys, Volume One: Cold War Through the Falklands, 1969-1990, Bob Marston, who flew Harriers for many years, draws together accounts from others who worked with this unique jet through its history. The excitement, camaraderie and pride of Harrier operators shine through in the personal stories of those whose lives were changed by their experience of this iconic aircraft, both on land and at sea. In this first volume, events of the Cold War years are brought to life by contributors including Graham Williams, who flew the Transatlantic Air Race, Peter Dodworth, a member of the original Harrier Conversion Team, Peter Harris, a participant in the early defence of Belize, Sir Peter Squire, OC 1 (F) Squadron during the Falklands conflict, and Australian Dave Baddams, who commanded the Royal Navy Sea Harriers of 800 Squadron.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 192

Dimensions: 156 x 234 mm

Publication Date: 30-04-2020

This fast-moving autobiography details the experiences of Giora Even-Epstein, who for more than thirty years, flew fighters for the Israel Air Force. Gaining the nickname ‘Hawkeye’ thanks to his amazing vision that enabled him to pick out enemy aircraft long before his squadron mates, Giora is recognised as the high-scoring jet-mounted ace with the greatest number of confirmed victories in the French Mirage. He also compiled a record of Arab MiGs and Sukhoi kills that bettered any other combat aviators’ tally in the entire world. With descriptions of flying in intense conflicts like the Six Day War in 1967 and the Yom Kippur War in 1973, the reader shares the cockpit with Giora as he describes every action he undertook including the greatest jet-versus-jet air battle in history with four MiG-21 kills in one engagement. His final score was seventeen aerial victories. His story is of one man’s unfaltering dedication to his dreams and his country.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 192

Dimensions: 156 x 234 mm

Publication Date: 31-07-2023

This anthology of Elizabeth David’s work, originally published in hardback in 2000, is a direct sequel to An Omelette and a Glass of Wine. It again contains a selection of her journalistic and occasional work from four decades. Much of it she had chosen herself for reprinting in this more accessible form. In addition there is a considerable amount of unpublished material found in her own files, or contributed by friends to whom she had given recipes, or to whom she had sent letters, either with notes in answer to queries or giving details of current research.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 336

Dimensions: 129 x 198 mm

Publication Date: 20-04-2016

Lactose intolerance or an allergy to milk means avoiding cream, butter, milk, cheese, yoghurt, and ice cream as well as many prepared foods to which lactose is added such as bread, cereal, salad dressings, cake mixes, frozen meals. The Everyday Dairy-Free Cookbook explains all you need to know about this condition, how to tackle the problem and where to go for help and advice. As with the other titles in this best-selling Everyday series the book contains 200 recipes for family meals and there is a special section on catering for children. There are dairy-free recipes for soups, dips and starters, light meals, main dishes, fish dishes, vegetarian dishes, savoury sauces and accompaniments, salads and dressings, puddings, sweet sauces, sweets and treats, baking, pastry, breakfasts, and beverages. If you or someone in your family cannot tolerate lactose this book will make catering for their needs simple and straightforward with so many meals to choose from.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 240

Dimensions: 170 x 240 mm

Publication Date: 20-01-2021

The Me 262 was the world’s first operational military jet. Hitler believed that it would become Germany’s ‘miracle weapon’ and took a great personal interest in its development. Pilot Mano Ziegler was involved from its inception and contributed to its design and testing. Could the Me 262 have broken Allied supremacy in the air? Why did it take so long to come into service and why were hundreds of German pilots sacrificed in developing it? Most important of all, why did the Me 262 prove not to be the unparalleled success that Goering claimed it would be and what role did Hitler play in this ultimate failure? These are some of the questions this compelling book answers.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 208

Dimensions: 156 x 234 mm

Publication Date: 31-07-2023

Niçoise cuisine is the food of the Mediterranean. It is not only a delight to the palate, but is known to have many health benefits. Its recipes are in tune with the natural cycle of the year using in-season fruits, herbs and vegetables, as well as plenty of fish. But the majority of the recipes are merely guides – unless you are baking – offering a relaxed flexibility with ingredients and seasonings suited to cooks of all levels of experience. This, Jacques Médecin’s legendary book, first published in 1972 and now reissued for the first time in hardback offers an infectiously enthusiastic guide to the cookery of his city.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 236

Dimensions: 129 x 198 mm

Publication Date: 20-04-2016

Though the word ‘vegetarianism’ was not coined until the mid-nineteenth century, the vegetarian diet has been around as long as man has. Colin Spencer’s comprehensive book, reissued in paperback for the first time in fifteen years explores the psychology of abstention from flesh and attempts to discover why omnivorous humans at times voluntarily abstain from an available food.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 400

Dimensions: 156 x 234 mm

Publication Date: 20-04-2016