Hawker Hurricane, Fury & Hind - The Yugoslav Story 1931-1941
 

Dear All,

I want to inform you that the book Hawker: Hurricane, Fury and Hind - The Yugoslav Story (Operational Record 1931-1941) is with the printer. I published it myself (Leaden Sky Books). It will be ready for shipment in about two weeks. Will let you know in time.
For completely subjective reasons publication has been delayed for almost two years.

Brian Cull wrote the Foreword and Stig Jarlevik the Review. Thank you so much guys! I really appreciate it very much! Not to mention I am deeply flattered.

I also want to thank, from the bottom of my heart, to all of you who selflessly helped me to write this book. I also take the opportunity to thank those who have delayed publishing to the utmost. This way they have completely solidified in me the intention to publish it no matter what...

The Hawker TYS book followed as a logical sequel to my book Blenheim - The Yugoslav Story (LeadenSky Books, 2014) and the use of British aircraft in the Royal Yugoslav Army Air Force (VVKJ) service.

The book is dedicated to my dear friend Jan van den Heuvel who no longer flies with us…

It is A4 size, hard cover, 196 pages and weighs 0.95kg

It contains more than 50 testimonies, written statements, orders and observations by direct participants from all sides that take part in 1941 April war. It also contains a completely unknown interview with Engineer Kosta Sivčev, who participated in the unprecedented modification of the Hurricane to a Daimler Benz DB601 A engine (LVT-1 Project), describing the entire job in smallest details. Special technical drawing of modified airplane is inside as well.

There is six maps inside, as well as Appendix 10 (Places with Geographical Coordinates) with the exact GPS coordinates of each place (130+) mentioned. With the help of Appendix 11 (Personal Names), you will quickly find some of the (300+) names in the book.

Beautifully selected photographs and documents (254+3). Exactly 50 color profiles and views prepared by my dear friend Aerospace Engineer Dragan Šaler, who evoke in detail the little known VVKJ Hawkers coloring schemes and markings, as well as several unusual and unique modifications made at the Zmaj and Ikarus airplane factories…

I hope you will enjoy reading it!


Here are the contents:


Foreword
by Brian Cull

Review
by Stig Jarlevik

CHAPTER 1: Island Wind
New Age - New Deal

CHAPTER 2: Hawker Fury

CHAPTER 3: Wings of Blood
5. lovački puk (5.Fighter Regiment)
35. vazduhoplovna grupa (35.Aviation Group)
5. vazduhoplovna baza (5.Aviation Base)
36. vazduhoplovna grupa (36.Aviation Group)
3. pilotska škola (3.Pilot School)
War Prizes

CHAPTER 4: Hawker Hind

CHAPTER 5: Into the Fire
11. samostalna grupa za daljno izviđanje (11.Independent Long Range Recce Group)

CHAPTER 6: Hawker Hurricane

CHAPTER 7: Betrayal
52. vazduhoplovna grupa (52.Aviation Group)

CHAPTER 8: Wasted Years
2. MVB
4. lovački puk (4.Fighter Regiment)

CHAPTER 9: David Against Goliath
3. pilotska škola (3.Pilot School)

CHAPTER 10: Full Blooded Crossbreed (DB 601A powered Hurricane Mk.I)

CHAPTER 11: Bearing The Michael’s Cross

CHAPTER 12: Camouflage & Markings
Fury
Hind
Hurricane

Color Profiles
Acknowledgments

Appendix (1-11)
Abbrevations
Selected Archival Funds and Documents
Selected Bibliography
Places with Geographical Coordinates
Personal Names
About the Author


Price will be 42,50 EUR, Air mail postage with parcel tracking code included!

More details and preview can be found at http://www.leadenskybooks.com/
Web site is still under reconstruction but functional…

__________________
Best Regards,

Aleks Ognjević

Re: Hawker Hurricane, Fury & Hind - The Yugoslav Story 1931-1941
 

Is the Blenheim book still available?

Re: Hawker Hurricane, Fury & Hind - The Yugoslav Story 1931-1941
 

I believe that small quantity will be available at the same time as Hawker book, maybe a bit later...

Re: Hawker Hurricane, Fury & Hind - The Yugoslav Story 1931-1941
 

OK, count me in for a copy.

Re: Hawker Hurricane, Fury & Hind - The Yugoslav Story 1931-1941
 

Make no mistake (even if I am biased, due to my interest in Yugoslavian history), this is a d..n good book and Alex can be really proud of his achievement.

Since Alex and I are good friends He sent me a review copy and all I can say is keep them coming Alex, keep them coming....:)

Cheers
Stig

Re: Hawker Hurricane, Fury & Hind - The Yugoslav Story 1931-1941
 

This will be the exception to my three month book buying moratorium.
I’ll definitely be ordering a copy!

Re: Hawker Hurricane, Fury & Hind - The Yugoslav Story 1931-1941
 

This will be a great book! Can't wait to get my hands on one!

Re: Hawker Hurricane, Fury & Hind - The Yugoslav Story 1931-1941
 

Aleks! Cestitke na knjizi! Makes me really happy to see it published, especially now that I am coming to Belgrade for the holidays!

And I am really sad to hear about Jan! May our friend rest in peace. He would be really happy to see it published.

Re: Hawker Hurricane, Fury & Hind - The Yugoslav Story 1931-1941
 

Hi Guys,

It's good to know that there are some of you still interested in rare topics like Royal Yugoslav Army Air Force! Thanks for all of your comments. I really appreciate it very much!
And here is the Stig's Review (thanks again for your time & good will to help!):

I was very honored when my good Serbian friend Alexandar Ognjevic sent me a review copy of his latest production about Hawker aircraft in Yugoslavia. (Hawker - The Yugoslav Story)

I admit, hands down, I am biased since the book contains an unbeatable combination of interests to me, British aircraft, exotic use and we are all brought back to the 1930s and 40s again. Admittedly the 20th Century was the most troublesome era in Europe’s violent history and in spite of my fascination of it, I truly wish Europe will never see anything like it ever again.

As usual Alex has left no stones unturned when roaming through available files still remaining in archives today or called upon good friends in the former Republic to establish new facts. I admit I was fascinated from the start, but then again I am deeply fascinated in all aviation history originating from the Balkan area.

In the book we can closely follow the three aircraft types and with the beginning of the April war also follow those remaining in use in a day-by-day history, unit-by-unit. Alex has also tried to establish who were the individuals/units these Yugoslavian fighter pilots met in combat. Even their enemies get faces. We also learn a bit about the politics behind the aircraft procurement and the turbulence surrounding decisions made.

We also get closer to individuals either making these decisions and those who tried to undermine them. We also get to know many of those who flew the various types. What I use to call the enemy within was ever present in Yugoslavia, both before, during and after WW 2. That in itself – here set in an aviation historical context – should be a clear warning to all politicians, DON’T do such mistakes again.

Unfortunately too little detailed information of each individual aircraft has survived to make any valid historical listings possible (I like lists) but it is a very good read anyway. Every serial number known together with their fates are there.

For the modeler the skilful drawings by Dragan Šaler can be viewed at the end. Even I, not very interesting in the actual paintings of aircraft, can enjoy his expertise!

In short, try it, you will not be disappointed. Together with plenty of photographs and charts we get a wonderful combination of facts and pictures. If you are a Hawker aficionado – just buy it!!

If you are not, buy it anyway since you will certainly learn something from it.

Stig Jarlevik

Air Britain member 09564
Goeteborg, September 2019

Re: one copy Hawker Hurricane, Fury & Hind - The Yugoslav Story 1931-1941
 

Hi
send my your e-mail

I would order one copy of this book, my friend pay for it via PayPal as the last time, I think you have still the same option paying via PayPal?

Congratulation, splendit book, but pity , as I see that still no picture of LVT-1 has surfaced up to this edition, such a saint Graa among the picturesl

Anyway a lot of nice information and pictures too

regards
Mirek Wawrzyński
Kraszewskiego 6 m. 5
05-803 Poland
mirwaw_xl@wp.pl

Re: Hawker Hurricane, Fury & Hind - The Yugoslav Story 1931-1941
 

Ordered my copy and now eagerly awaiting it.

Re: Hawker Hurricane, Fury & Hind - The Yugoslav Story 1931-1941
 

Hello Guys,

Mark, it’s great to know that moratorium is history now!
Looking forward to your impressions. Enjoy!

And Gentleman I must announce that Hawker hunting season is finally open!
It seems that in publishing, deadlines are meant to be missed by the printers!

Hawker TYS book is finally available, so please do not hesitate to visit www.leadenskybooks.com and order your copy. All books are signed by author. If you need any additional information or question, please let me know at a.ognjevic(at)gmail.com

And finally to all of you guys from USA or Canada, I managed to engage my friend Jim Tunney from Flight Line Hobbies to sell my books for US and Canada markets. This way, it will be much easier for all of us to handle parcels. It’s money, time and nerve saving option for all of us.

So please do not hesitate to get in touch with Jim via email: jimtunney10(at)gmail.com and arrange all the details. First book parcel will be shipped to the United States tomorrow morning, so I guess that it will be with Jim and Flight Line Hobbies in next 8-10 days.

There will be additional update with couple of novices soon.


Best regards and thanks to all for your patience,

Aleks
www.leadenskybooks

Re: Hawker Hurricane, Fury & Hind - The Yugoslav Story 1931-1941
 

Can you update us on the possibility of more copies of the Blenheim book being available please?
It would make sense for me to order both at the same time to save on postage costs..
Andy

Re: Hawker Hurricane, Fury & Hind - The Yugoslav Story 1931-1941
 

Hi there Andy,

I printed additional (small) amount of Blenheim book as well. Unexpectedly, some of my distributors ordered almost all of them together with Hawker book. That is the reason of not moving “sold-out” on my web site. Please let me check the stock, since Jukka was also interested in one copy of Blenheim, if I understand him correctly.

On the other hand, I will certainly print Blenheim again, or should I say right after second round of Hawker is finished. Just to let you know from my own experience that saving on postal costs for two books will be symbolic. There is one shipping price for books up to 1kg (like Hawker & Blenheim) and up to 2 kg (both books together) is almost double… It includes Air Mail and parcel tracking code of course.

Best Regards

Aleks
www.leadenskybooks.com

Re: Hawker Hurricane, Fury & Hind - The Yugoslav Story 1931-1941
 

And to add Brian's foreword:

It is my privilege and pleasure to write these few words in praise of Aleks’ excellent latest book Hawker Hurricane, Fury and Hind: The Yugoslav Story, which follows his equally admired Bristol Blenheim: The Yugoslav Story, both meticulously researched and beautifully illustrated with many previously unpublished photographs. Aleks was also an invaluable co-author for my book Blenheims over Greece and Crete 1940-1941, contributing Chapter VII and photographs.

Not much has been written about the desperate fight Yugoslavia put up against the invading German forces in April 1941, and even less is known about the struggle in the air by a handful of valiant Yugoslav fighter pilots against the overwhelming might of the all-powerful, all-conquering Luftwaffe. Faced by the experienced German pilots flying Bf109s and Bf110s, the Yugoslavs in obsolete Hawker Fury biplanes and outdated and out-performed Hawker Hurricanes, covered themselves in glory; but at the price in human sacrifice. Within, Aleks pays tribute to one and all.

Brian Cull
Sufflok, August 2019

Re: Hawker Hurricane, Fury & Hind - The Yugoslav Story 1931-1941
 

Aleks,
I've enjoyed reading the book! A ccouple of questions:


a) You mention the new serial system which started in March 1940 (Furies became 2201 and up for example). Is it known if the serials are directly correlated? ie did 11 become 2211, or?...


b) On Page 71, Hind 159 white is said to be No 2. In the artworks at the rear, it is said to be No 1. Which is correct?


Thanks,
Andy

Re: Hawker Hurricane, Fury & Hind - The Yugoslav Story 1931-1941
 

Andy,

Glad that you enjoyed reading the book!
No, there is no relation between Hawker serials and new VVKJ numbers. New numbers were added randomly.
Good point regarding "white 159". It should be No.2 in profiles...

Best Regards

Aleks
www.leadenskybooks.com

Re: Hawker Hurricane, Fury & Hind - The Yugoslav Story 1931-1941
 

Aleks,
OK, thanks for the answers!
Andy

Re: Hawker Hurricane, Fury & Hind - The Yugoslav Story 1931-1941
 

To add my input:
This is an excellent produced book on the Hawkers in Yugoslavia. Touches on development, history and operational use all in a well designed package. Excellent selection of pictures too.
Highly recommended and I'm looking forward to the next project.

Re: Hawker Hurricane, Fury & Hind - The Yugoslav Story 1931-1941
 

Recently I received my copy of the book. I only had a chance to flick though it, but it's immediately clear that it's another thorough job done by Aleks, with many - to me - unknown photos. Printing quality is also good, the numerous colour profiles very nice.
All in all, yet another great book produced by Aleks and his team at LeadenSky Books.
P.S. I particularly appreciated the remembrance note on the bottom of the inside cover page, in memory of Jan van den Heuvel, whom we, who had contact with him, all miss.

Re: Hawker Hurricane, Fury & Hind - The Yugoslav Story 1931-1941
 

Mark / Dénes,

Many thanks for your kind words and comments! Much appreciated.

Mark, there will be some news very soon...
And yes Dénes, Jan deserve it by all means.

Take care guys,

Aleks
www.leadenskybooks.com

Re: Hawker Hurricane, Fury & Hind - The Yugoslav Story 1931-1941
 

I finally got my copy in the mail due to the delays with Covid 19. I have read it cover to cover and discovered many new pieces of information and thoroughly enjoyed the photos and the color profiles. Highly recommended!