Series: Story

Jointly developed from the air forces of Germany, the UK and Italy, the Tornado was introduced in 1979, with the last of the 992 constructed in 1999. It is a major component of four air forces worldwide and has three main variants. Tornadoes saw action in the Gulf War with the Italian and British air forces, and the type was unjustly criticised after the loss of 6 aircraft in this war. With 10,000 words and full colour photographs, this book comprehensively tells the story behind the Tornado and will be an invaluable addition to every aviation enthusiast's library.

The London Bus Story

by John Christopher

Published 31 October 2009

The archetypal Routemaster is arguably the most recognised vehicle in the world, as witnessed at the recent Beijing Olympic handover ceremony. Buses have been operating on London's streets since 1829, originally with horse-drawn omnibuses, and the London Omnibus Company was founded in 1855 to regulate the various services. The first motorised buses made an appearance in 1902 with the LGOC beginning to manufacture the buses itself two years later. For six decades London went its own way with specially designed buses. More recent innovations such as the 'bendy' bus have not been popular, but today practicality of pushchair and wheelchair access has consigned the Routemaster to a nostalgic, but much-loved, position. With full-colour photographs, this book comprehensively tells the story behind London's famous red buses.

The Aston Martin Story

by John Christopher

Published 29 February 2012

John Christopher takes a fresh look at 100 years of Britain's most iconic car company, Aston Martin. From the origins of the Aston Martin marque, through the gadget-laden stars of numerous James Bond films, to the prestigious super-cars that continue to be market leaders throughout the world. Aston Martin was nearly called Bamford Martin, as founders Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford were already selling cars together, but in the end the company was named after the Aston Hill speed hill-climb near Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire. Their first car was produced in 1915 but war and financial troubles often tempered progress and the company went through various changes in ownership on its way to becoming the global icon it is today. Following the typical Story book format, this sleekest of cars is celebrated with a wealth of colour photographs, facts and statistics.

The Mary Rose Story

by John Christopher

Published 30 March 2012

She was the finest vessel in Henry VIII's navy, the flagship of the fleet and one of the first to be equipped with heavy guns. The Mary Rose struck fear into the hearts of England's enemies and yet, during the Battle of the Solent in 1545, this great warship inexplicably heeled over and sank in full view of the King who was watching from the shore. Even now the cause of this disaster remains shrouded in controversy. Had water poured in through the open gunwales of the over-laden ship, or had the French guns found their target?
John Christopher takes a fresh look at the design and construction of the Mary Rose, her illustrious naval career and the reasons behind the sinking. He also tells of the incredible salvage mission to recover the famous ship and the preservation of a fascinating and unique time-capsule of life in Tudor times.

The Shuttle Story

by John Christopher

Published 1 March 2010

Even before the Apollo astronauts had stepped on to the surface of the Moon, NASA's engineers were drawing up plans for a reusable space vehicle to replace the expendable and expensive rockets. The answer was STS – the Space Transportation System – a 'space plane' to be known as the Space Shuttle. First flown in 1981, the Shuttle is the most complicated flying machine ever devised. It has been the stalwart of NASA's continued manned spaceflight programme for almost thirty years, with well over 100 successful missions including the construction and provision of the International Space Station. This success has come at a high price with the loss of eleven astronauts in the Challenger and Columbia disasters, forever burned into the memories of the watching world. With NASA due to retire its ageing fleet in 2010, this book tells the fascinating story of the Space Shuttle from its inception to the shape of things to come and through triumph and disaster.

The HMS Victory Story

by John Christopher

Published 19 October 2010

Constructed from the wood of over 6,000 trees HMS Victory was designed as a ‘first-rate ship’, packing a formidable punch with over 100 guns arranged over three decks. Immortalised as Admiral Lord Nelson’s flagship in the Battle of Trafalgar, after bringing Nelson’s body back to England the Victory sailed out on a number of expeditions until her retirement in 1812.

In a wonderfully entertaining narrative, and packed with fun facts, figures and over 100 colour photographs, author John Christopher recounts the story of this celebrated warship right up to its restoration project and current role as the centrepiece of Portsmouth’s historic docks.
Author John Christopher is a life-long transport enthusiast and a balloon pilot. He has previously written The Hunter Story and Balloons at War for The History Press.

The Me 262 Stormbird Story

by John Christopher

Published 19 October 2010

By the time of its introduction into front-line service in July 1944 many Germans thought the Me 262 was capable of turning the tide of the Second World War. Accelerating to speeds well over 500mph, it was faster than the Allied fighting operating in the European theatre. Officially designated as the Schwalbe, or Swallow, its pilots soon renamed the Me 262 as the Sturmvogel. While the war was still going Hitler's way the Me 262 was not considered a high-priority project by German High Command, until May 1943 when the celebrated Luftwaffe ace Adolf Galland flew the Me 262 and was so impressed by its performance that he advocated immediate mass production. Several types of the Me 262 were deployed - fighter bomber, interceptor and an unarmed reconnaissance version - but although over 1,400 Me 262s were constructed less than 300 saw combat. Even so, the Stormbird signalled the beginning of the end for piston-engined combat aircraft, and with the fall of the Third Reich the Allies were quick to seize the surviving Me 262s and their design directly influenced the development of jet fighters after the war.

The Zeppelin Story

by John Christopher

Published 22 April 2010

The Zeppelin Story charts the history of these incredible airships from their conception to their fiery destruction. In the 1930s the Zeppelins ruled the skies, crossing the Atlantic with a style and elegance never seen before - or since - in air travel. the brainchild of the elderly Count Zeppelin, the airships were reinvented from the aerial bombers of the First World War to the only way for the rich and famous to travel, and with the embryonic aircraft of the time barely able to hop the Atlantic the Zeppelins were set to dominate air travel. At least, that was until the obliteration of the Hindenburg at Lakehurst, New Jersey. In many ways the tale of what might have been, this book is a concise and readable account from a recognised expert in the field.

The SS Great Britain Story

by John Christopher

Published 1 November 2011

The SS Great Britain Story is a concise account of one of the most famous steamships ever built. The great Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel embraced the latest innovations, including an iron hull and a screw-propeller, to create an ocean liner that was decades ahead of its time. Launched by Prince Albert in 1843, the SS Great Britain was nearly lost three years later when she ran aground in Dundrum Bay, Ireland. Fortunately she weathered the winter storms and went on to enjoy a long and chequered career. She spent many years transporting emigrants to Australia, served as a cargo vessel, and almost ended her days stranded on the Falkland Islands. Following an incredible rescue mission in the 1970s, fully documented here, she was returned to dry-dock in Bristol, where she was originally built, and is now the centrepiece of a fascinating and ongoing restoration project.