The first jet pilot : the story of German test pilot Erich Warsitz

On 27 August 1939, Flugkapitan Erich Warsitz became the first man to fly a jet aircraft, the Heinkel He 178 and in June of the same year he flew the first liquid-fuel rocket aircraft, the Heinkel He 176. His legendary flying skills enabled him to assist the pioneering German aircraft and engine design teams that included Wernher von Braun and Ernst Heinkel. He repeatedly risked his life extending the frontiers of aviation in speed, altitude and technology and survived many life-threatening incidents. This book is written by Erich’s son who has used his father’s copious notes and log books that explain vividly the then halcyon days of German aviation history. Warsitz was feted by the Reich’s senior military figures such as Milch, Udet and Lucht and even Hitler keenly followed his experimental flying. Little is known of this pioneer period because of the strict secrecy which shrouded the whole project – it is a fascinating story that tells of the birth of the jet age and flight as we know it today. The book includes many unseen photographs and diagrams. REVIEWS “...vividly captures the then peaceful days of German Aviation History... Little is known of this pioneer period because of the strict secrecy which shrouded the whole project- it’s a fascinating story that tells of the birth of the jet age and flying as we know it today....filled with fascinating detail that warbird enthusiasts and pilots will certainly enjoy. “ EAA Warbirds, 05/2010 The pilot's son delivers “a fascinating read and an invaluable insight in to the workings of pre- and wartime test flying under the Third Reich” (Military Aircraft Monthly). On 27 August 1939, Flugkapitan Erich Warsitz became the first man to fly a jet aircraft, the Heinkel He 178, and in June of the same year he flew the first liquid-fuel rocket aircraft, the Heinkel He 176. His legendary flying skills enabled him to assist the pioneering German aircraft and engine design teams that included Wernher von Braun and Ernst Heinkel. He repeatedly risked his life extending the frontiers of aviation in speed, altitude and technology and survived many life-threatening incidents. This book is written by Erich's son who has used his father's copious notes and log books that explain vividly the then halcyon days of German aviation history. Warsitz was feted by the Reich's senior military figures such as Milch, Udet and Lucht and even Hitler keenly followed his experimental flying. Little is known of this pioneer period because of the strict secrecy which shrouded the whole project—it is a fascinating story that tells of the birth of the jet age and flight as we know it today. The book includes many unseen photographs and diagrams.“This book is nothing short of a gem for anyone interested in real aviation history... through Lutz Warsitz's words, readers share the emotions— apprehension, loyalty, fear, frustration and elation—of being part of some of aviation's most significant advances.” —Pacific Wing Magazine“More than just a good read. An historical document of inestimable value in the aviation pioneering field.” —Airnews The author of The Yompers details the history of Great Britain's innovation in combatting the German Zeppelin during World War I. Our vision of aviation in the First World War is dominated by images of gallant fighter pilots dueling with each other high over the Western Front. But it was the threat of the Zeppelin thatspurred the British government into creating the Royal Flying Corps, and it was this menace, which no aircraft could match in the air at the beginning of the war, that led Winston Churchill and the Royal Navy to set about bombing these airships on the ground. Thus in 1914, the Royal Naval Air Service, with their IKEA-style flatpack airplanes, pioneered strategic bombing. Moreover, through its efforts to extend its striking range in order to destroy Zeppelins in their home bases, the Royal Navy developed the first true aircraft carriers. This book is the story of those largely forgotten, very early bombing raids. It explains Britain's first interest in military and naval aviation, and why it was that the Navy pursued long distance bombing, while the Army concentrated on reconnaissance. Every bomber raid, and every aircraft carrier strike operation since, owes its genesis to those early naval flyers, and there are ghosts from 1914 that haunt us still today.“Well written and very informative, this really is one of those books you go though from cover to cover as you learn so much more about those early men and machines.” —The Great War Magazine Beretter om den tyske testpilot, Erich Warsitz, der den 27. august 1939 som den første i verden fløj et jetfly