I grew up reading Popular Mechanics magazines which had articles of the latest technology and projects to build. They are available to read and download from the Internet Archive. Editions date back to the early 1900's.

There are lots of information about using tools, machining and building models. And interesting to see how technology has evolved over the years. A lot of good reading for those cold winter months in front of the fire.

Paul

Popular Mechanics

Big +1 for Sir Stanley Hooker's book (Not much of an Engineer)

I also found almost any book from the RRHT (Rolls Royce Heritage Trust) series inspiring – especially 'Vikings at Waterloo' – the story of the Rover and subsequent RR jet engine work at Waterloo Mill, Barnoldswick.

My most prized book though is a collection of presentations given to IMechE Institute edited by LJK Setright entitled 'Some Unusual Engines' currently out of print and amazingly now fetching north of £150 for a mint copy.

Virtually the only lathe book have is the 'How to use your Lathe' published by South Bend – but one well worth looking for is the MAP book from 1973 entitled 'The Shaping Machine' even if you don't have a shaper there is a section which covers 'using your lathe as a shaper'

For 'cheap' reading try the Combat Reports from WWII fighter pilots available from USAAF and RAF archives on T'interweb. The language used is, however, not for the snowflakes. Common reference being made to the slang term for the Nazi's. Interesting how the FW190 suffered propellor 'loss' when pushed into an overspeeding dive when chased by a Mustang, Spitfire or Typhoon/Tempest. This was one of the GAF's major problems with their big 40+ litre engines due to torsional vibrations induced in the prop reduction gearboxes, which caused them to disintegrate (the PRG's). Rolls had overcome this problem in the 1930's and was less severe in the relatively smaller but highly boosted Allied aero engines. As an aside a similar problem recurred in the Cosworth DFV F1 timing gear drive system in the 1960's and was overcame by the tunable 'spring' gear for its drive system.

Martin

Winston Churchills Toy Shop – Stuart Macrae.

The British Spy Manual – Imp War Museum

Flying thorugh Fire – the story of FIDO Geoffrey Williams.

The next 2 are truly awsome ! Historic Steam Boiler explosions – Alan Mcewan. Anybody thinking of making a boiler should read this !

The Fauld Disaster – Nick Mc camley. One of the biggest bangs the world has seen (or heard)

That will do for tonight ! Sleep well. Noel.

The Design of Everyday Things – Don Norman

Structures or Why Things Don't Fall Down – JE Gordon

The New Science of Strong Materials – JE Gordon

Neville Shute's autobiography.

Truth, lies and O rings (Space Shuttle)

Skunkworks

Richard Feynman's writings on the Shuttle incident.

Lanchester Motor Cars, Anthony Bird and Francis Hutton-Stott

Slide Rule by Neville Shute. His biography of his Engineering activities, an excellent read.

Vulcan 607 by Roland White. The story of the first Vulcan raid on Port Stanley during the Falklands. You will not be able to put it down although you know the story.

Handbook for Railway Steam Locomotive Enginemen. This is the bible given to engine crew by BR.

If you search the internet you will find it as a pdf file. If you have problems message me and I will send you a copy.

Testing Years by Roland Beaumont. He had long career flying in the war then as Chief Test pilot for English Electric. He was the pilot who did aerobatics with a Canberra at Farnbrough.

Wings On My Sleeve by Eric 'Winkle' Brown. He holds the record for the most types of aircraft flown (487) including the Messerschmitt ME163 Komet! He also holds the world record for the most carrier landings.

Some to go on with.

Dave

Anything by Harry Ricardo – for example:

Memories and Machines – the pattern of my life

And anything by LTC Rolt

Regards, Tim

Since biographies of Hooker and Fedden have been recommended may I suggest "Boxkite to Jet – the remarkable career of Frank B Halford" published by Roll-Royce Heritage Trust. Halford was the third great British aeroengine designer and the only one to produce piston and jet engines The same publisher produces a fantastic A3 picture book "Sectioned drawings of Piston Aero Engines"

Although the title sounds very esoteric I found "A Radar History of World War II – Technical and Military Imperatives" by Louis Brown a fascinating and easy read (I know almost nothing about radar). I have no idea of its availability.

JA

And, just to remind everyone.

If you want new,, fine , but if you can stand 2nd hand abe is the go to.

Or buy the books then burn them …. 2 for 1 deal.

“A View from the Hover” by John Farley gives a good insight into the development of the Harrier and the life of a Test Pilot. It is also a good read.

You might struggle to find a copy, but “A General Account of the Development of Using Atomic Energy for Military Purposes under the Auspices of the US Government” is fascinating! Published in 1945, shortly before the first atomic weapon test, it details the physics, chemistry and industry required to go from a pin-head sized piece of fissile material to the amount required for a bomb. Before you ask, I inherited it from my dad who got it back in 1947, according to his entry on the cover.