Transforming the Skies: Pilots, Planes and Politics in British Aviation 1919-1940 by Peter Reese

Summary: The interwar period revolutionised all aspects of aeronautics in the UK. In his lecture to the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Association, historian Peter Reese brings out some of the stories and characters that shaped the period. In this lecture he describes the excitement of Alcock and Brown’s non-stop flight across the Atlantic, the Smith brothers’ flight to Australia and Alan Cobham travelling circus that bringing aviation to the British people and the mushrooming air transport industry. He then explores Britain’s triumphs in the he Schneider Trophy contests and how that technology prepared for the emergence of powerful fighter aircraft; with war clouds gathering strategic restructuring takes place and new leaders emerge to meet the German challenge. This guest podcast is from the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Association. More information about the lectures organised by FASTA, together with Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum can be found at https://www.airsciences.org.uk. It was recorded and edited by Paul Collins.