Bomber Command Books from Aviation Books Ltd.

01/04/2026

We've been busy. We are delighted to publish the next volume of Bill Chorley's authoritative (and iconic) series of volumes detailing Bomber Command Losses. This is a reprint of the 1941 volume, as now usual in A4 format. Bill's work has been reprinted to make it readily available to researchers, historians, and all with an interest in RAF Bomber Command.

https://www.thegreatbritishbookshop.co.uk/products/bomber-command-losses-1941

01/04/2026

A prequel to Keith Bryers' two-volumes of Scotland's Wartime Aircraft Crashes, this book covers the early days of Scottish aviation mishaps. An excellent piece of work.

https://www.thegreatbritishbookshop.co.uk/products/scotlands-aircraft-crashes-1905-1939?_pos=1&_sid=56508ad97&_ss=r

20/03/2026

Also available from today is Phil Lo Bao’s definitive history of British European Airways. The hardback edition is 289 pages long with many photos in full colour, and only available from The Great British Bookshop, or direct from us. A4 format, £26 plus p&p.

Please note that there is also a black and white paperback edition of this book available from Amazon so do check which edition you are buying 😎👍

Phil Lo Bao's 'An Illustrated History of British European Airways' was first published in 1989, fifteen years after BEA had been absorbed into a new flag carrier, British Airways. To mark the eightieth anniversary of BEA's foundation, the book has now been updated and amended and is once again avail...

20/03/2026

The latest reprinted volume of Bill Chorley’s Bomber Command Losses series, covering July 1936 to December 1940, is now available!

Nearly 400 pages and in A4 format, it is technically the first volume in the 9-book series, though we actually published 1943 and then 1942 first as they were as rare as hens’ teeth, as the saying goes.

Paperback, £23 plus p&p.

1941 is due out in the next week or so.

William R. Chorley’s definitive record of Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War have been reprinted and are now presented in a larger format than previously. All nine volumes of this iconic work will be available in this series.During the course of the Second World War, some 55,573 members...

17/03/2026

We are delighted to announce that Steve Smith is appointed Director - Bomber Command Books. Steve will be in charge of all aspects of the Bomber Command Books imprint.

Simon Hepworth will continue as Managing Director of Aviation Books Ltd., and be responsible for all other areas of interest.

The move reflects the continuing importance of the Bomber Command genre whilst also allowing the company to develop its publishing of other aspects of aviation, especially civil aviation and air accident records.

Steve is a noted researcher, historian, and author specialising in Bomber Command history, and has been a valued partner in Aviation Books Ltd. since the company was formed (as Mention the War) in 2014.

17/03/2026

Incoming…!!!!

Three books will be launched in the next few days…

10/03/2026

‘Probably the heaviest book we’ve received in the past forty years…’

Any positive review is a good review 😀🤪

Thanks Flypast👍

03/03/2026

Our latest book is the biography of New Zealand fighter ace Squadron Leader ’Nipper’ Joyce DFM, RNZAF, by John Stackhouse. The book is very detailed and is the result of much meticulous research. It is fully illustrated.

High quality edition is £20 from The Great British Bookshop, with a black and white Amazon edition also available. The latter edition is also printed and distributed in Australia for the Aussie and NZ readership (the link is in the Comments)

Ernest Leslie ‘Nipper’ Joyce was New Zealand’s first night fighter ace who also later went on to become both a night and day ace. He achieved his night fighting milestones in a Hawker Hurricane with no radar assistance, relying on what a squadron colleague called the “Eyeball Mk1”. Nipper ...

02/02/2026

On Wednesday 4th February 1900Z I will be giving a presentation on WW2TV YouTube channel on the history of 514 Squadron . If you are interested, here is the link:

Striking Through Clouds: 514 Squadron RAFWith Simon HepworthPart of our Aviation and Air War serieshttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDG3XyxGI5lB4TkG3ejv8wU...

29/12/2025

Now available- Volume 2 of the British Civil Air Accident Record. Taking up where Volume 1 left off, at the outbreak of the Great War, this book details every recorded British civil aircraft accident between September 1914 and December 1920. Whilst the overwhelming majority of flights were military, test flights of new machines continued as these were developed and there was an inevitable toll of pilots and machines in their preparation for operational service.

Following the Armistice, joy flights and commercial air services commenced on a scale not envisaged before the war. Sadly many of these resulted in accidents major and minor.

As with Volume 1, the book draws on official records, investigation reports, newspaper articles, and other records to piece together what happened in each case, and why.

This is an unparalleled piece of work drawing together disparate sources to provide a clear picture of air safety and the steady development of civil aviation in the UK in the pioneering era.

224 pages, fully illustrated, paperback 8 1/2 in x 11 in. £18 from The Great British Bookshop.

With the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914, British civil aviation, still in its embryonic state of development, came to an abrupt halt. This state of affairs endured until it was once more permitted in May 1919. For the duration of hostilities, non-service flying was mostly confined to the t...

25/12/2025

Thank you for helping to preserve the memory of those who gave everything for our freedom and future.

This becomes increasingly important as times, and certain other people's values, change. Our veterans and those who sacrificed their lives deserve to be revered. At Aviation Books Ltd. we are very proud of Britain's history and military traditions, and those of our friends and allies from all parts of the world.

We wish all our customers and supporters a very Merry Christmas!

(Image: (c) Des Knock)

24/12/2025

It's time to reveal our best selling title in 2025, and it is another high-quality book, rich in images and detail.

Peter Sharpe's work 'Death by Night' takes its title from the motto of No. 630 Squadron, based at RAF East Kirkby in the final couple of years of the war. The book covers all aspects of the squadron and is a classic of the Bomber Command genre.

The author donates all his royalties to the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, supporting their vital work in preserving the memory of all who served in Bomber Command. The 403 page hardback costs only £26. It's a worthy winner.

"No.630 Squadron RAF was a Lancaster heavy night bomber squadron serving within No. 5 Group, RAF Bomber Command. It was formed at a vital phase in the wartime service of Bomber Command as the offensive against Berlin was due to begin and the preparations for the liberation of Europe were gaining mom...