Melbourne Ten - Brian J Rapier

Melbourne Ten - Brian J Rapier
Hardcover: 164 pages
Publisher: Air Museum Publications (York) (1982)
ISBN-10: 0950732613
ISBN-13: 978-0950732619

A well illustrated with photographs , maps and sketches it tells the story of 10 Squadron , Shiney Ten , during its stay at Melbourne between 1942-45 . Quite a rare book so be prepared to pay a premium price for a good copy !
Rapier also wrote 'Warplanes Return No1' which was published in September 1970 and 'No2' which followed in August 1972 - the for-runners of the modern aviation archaeology books and compiled without the use of a GPS ! Perhaps his best known work is 'White Rose Base' mentioned in a previous thread and again , a true trailbazer of its genre . There are at least two editions of this , the first in July 1972 and the larger A4 format in October 1980 . There may have been another and copies are quite easy to come by .
He publicised a book entitled 'Gisela' for production in 1983 but I dont think it was ever published ? All of Rapier's book were published by the same company which had no direct connection to YAM at Elvington although several members of AMP did join YAM . Sadly I never got to meet the man himself who I believe was , and may still be , a taxi driver in York ?

Ah - White Roase Base. I have both editions. Brian was a pioneer in so many ways. Pleased to hear that he may still be around.

Brian J Rapier's books are excellent and essential for anyone interested in the Handley-Page Halifax...don't forget that he also compiled 'Halifax At War' for Ian Allan in 1987.

Premium price is right for Melbourne Ten. It's on Abe and Amazon for £45. Probably won't find it for less. Wonder of the plastic will stretch to it....

White Rose Base is considerably less expensive - thankfully!

Chris

I notice from my copy of White Rose Base that I bought it in 1973, and I guess it was the first airfield book I'd seen. This was just two years after my visit to IWM, where I asked, 'Did they have such a thing as a list of military airfields? They did and I spent the entire day copying it out -about 800 I guess.

Only one problem of note with White Rose Base - it spawned the myth that Helperby (WWI airfield), and Brafferton (WWII ammunition depot) were one and the same. It became another 'Maycrete' continuing into other publications, including 'Action Stations'. That apart an excellent book.

Graham.

Carnaby;34581 wrote:

Only one problem of note with White Rose Base - it spawned the myth that Helperby (WWI airfield), and Brafferton (WWII ammunition depot) were one and the same.

Didn't this get talked about in the Ken Bannermans book, Towering Control? Or am I confusing it with another airfield or book?

REF;34583 wrote:

Didn't this get talked about in the Ken Bannermans book, Towering Control?

Yes, unfortunately Mr Bannerman accused the Brafferton landowner of not knowing what he was talking about (having demolished a WWI hangar - which wasn't). It was Mr B who had got it all wrong.

Graham

A copy of this book is on the latest second hand book list from David Bancroft and is described as in very good condition with dust wrapper for £30 plus postage . No email but his telephone number is ; 01983 - 759069 .