Bill Gunston
Encyclopedia
Bill Gunston OBE
FRAeS (born 1927 England) is one of the most internationally respected and published aviation
and military
author
s. He flew with Britain's Royal Air Force
from 1943 to 1948, and is a flying instructor. He has spent most of his adult life doing research and writing on aircraft and aviation. He is the author of over 350 books and articles. His work includes many books published by Salamander Books.
, where in his spare time he was Flight Sergeant in the school Air Training Corps
squadron, and for several months librarian of the London Philharmonic Orchestra
.
Gunston joined the Royal Air Force and was sent to University College, Durham
from 1945-46, then served as a pilot for three years during which he flew many types of aircraft including the De Havilland Vampire
jet fighter. After leaving the RAF he joined the staff of Flight International
magazine, where he was appointed Technical Editor in 1955. Since 1969 he has been part of the production team on the annual publication Jane's All the World's Aircraft
and was editor of Jane's Aero-Engines from 1995 to 2007.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
FRAeS (born 1927 England) is one of the most internationally respected and published aviation
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
and military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
s. He flew with Britain's Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
from 1943 to 1948, and is a flying instructor. He has spent most of his adult life doing research and writing on aircraft and aviation. He is the author of over 350 books and articles. His work includes many books published by Salamander Books.
Early life
Born William Tudor Gunston in London in 1927, Gunston was educated at Pinner County Grammar SchoolPinner County Grammar School
Pinner County Grammar School was a grammar school in Pinner, London from 1937 to 1982. In its latter years it became a college as Pinner Junior College and Pinner Sixth Form College. Famous pupils include Reg Dwight, otherwise known as Elton John, Simon Le Bon, Ron Goodwin and Gordon Beck all...
, where in his spare time he was Flight Sergeant in the school Air Training Corps
Air Training Corps
The Air Training Corps , commonly known as the Air Cadets, is a cadet organisation based in the United Kingdom. It is a voluntary youth group which is part of the Air Cadet Organisation and the Royal Air Force . It is supported by the Ministry of Defence, with a regular RAF Officer, currently Air...
squadron, and for several months librarian of the London Philharmonic Orchestra
London Philharmonic Orchestra
The London Philharmonic Orchestra , based in London, is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom, and is based in the Royal Festival Hall. In addition, the LPO is the main resident orchestra of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera...
.
Gunston joined the Royal Air Force and was sent to University College, Durham
University College, Durham
University College, commonly known as Castle, is a college of the University of Durham in England. Centred around Durham Castle on Palace Green, it was founded in 1832 and is the oldest of Durham's colleges. As with all of Durham's colleges, it is, independently of the University, a listed body...
from 1945-46, then served as a pilot for three years during which he flew many types of aircraft including the De Havilland Vampire
De Havilland Vampire
The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British jet-engine fighter commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Following the Gloster Meteor, it was the second jet fighter to enter service with the RAF. Although it arrived too late to see combat during the war, the Vampire served...
jet fighter. After leaving the RAF he joined the staff of Flight International
Flight International
Flight International is a global aerospace weekly publication produced in the UK. Founded in 1909, it is the world's oldest continuously published aviation news magazine...
magazine, where he was appointed Technical Editor in 1955. Since 1969 he has been part of the production team on the annual publication Jane's All the World's Aircraft
Jane's All the World's Aircraft
Jane's All the World's Aircraft is an aviation annual publication founded by Fred T. Jane in 1909. It is published by Jane's Information Group....
and was editor of Jane's Aero-Engines from 1995 to 2007.
Honours and awards
- 1 January 1996 William Tudor Gunston was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for services to aviation journalism.
Books
a very partial listing- Plane Speaking, Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1991 ISBN 1-85260-166-3
- Mikoyan MiG-21, Osprey, 1986 ISBN 0-85045-652-5
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the World's Modern Military Aircraft ISBN 978-0-86101-010-3
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the World's Rockets and Missiles ISBN 0-8317-7415-0
- Soviet Air Power
- The US War Machine
- Submarines in Colour - Blandford Colour Series - Blandford - 1976 - ISBN 0-7137-0780-1
- Modern Fighting Aircraft ISBN 0-86101-158-9
- The Illustrated Directory of Fighting Aircraft of World War II ISBN 0-7603-0722-9
- Fighters of the Fifties, Specialty Press, 1981 ISBN 0-933424-32-9
- Early Supersonic Fighters of the West London: Ian Allan Ltd., 1973. ISBN 0-7110-0636-9.
- Bombers of the West. London: Ian Allan Ltd., 1973. ISBN 0-7110-0456-0.
- The Encyclopedia of the World's Combat Aircraft. New York: Chartwell Books, Inc., 1976. ISBN 0-89009-054-8.
- Faster Than Sound: The Story of Supersonic Flight. London: Haynes, 1992. ISBN 1-85260-317-8.
- Attack Aircraft of the West London: Ian Allan Ltd., 1974. ISBN 0-7110-0523-0.
- An Illustrated Guide to Military Helicopters, London: Salamander Books Ltd, 1981. ISBN 0-86101-110-4.
- An Illustrated Guide to the Israeli Air Force, London: Salamander Books Ltd, 1982. ISBN 0-86101-140-6.
- An Illustrated Guide to Future Fighters and Combat Aircraft, London: Salamander Books Ltd, 1984. ISBN 0-86101-163-5.
Career
- Editor in chief of the Aero-engine division of Jane's Information GroupJane's Information GroupJane's Information Group is a publishing company specializing in transportation and military topics.-History:It was founded by Fred T...
since 1968 - Assistant compiler for Jane's All The World's AircraftJane's Information GroupJane's Information Group is a publishing company specializing in transportation and military topics.-History:It was founded by Fred T...
- Former technical editor Flight InternationalFlight InternationalFlight International is a global aerospace weekly publication produced in the UK. Founded in 1909, it is the world's oldest continuously published aviation news magazine...
Magazine - Technology editor Science Journal