Andrew Thomas (1) (1953–)

Although the title might suggest something of a grab bag, what Thomas is really writing about is the roots of the RAF's night-fighting force in World War II, as these were the planes and pilots that filled the gap until proper night fighters, based on the Beaufighter and Mosquito entered service. This is apart from the brief deployment of the Boulton-Paul Defiant as a day-time bomber interceptor, before the "turret fighter" concept was shown by experience to be mostly misguided, and lethal to the crews of the type. Also elevating this work is that Thomas did his own interviews of a significant number of surviving pilots and crew.… (more)