News items July 2007

Aviation in Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire's aviation history is the subject of a talk by Julian Evan-Hart at David's Bookshop in Letchworth on 11th July at 7.30pm. He'll also be signing copies of his new book, War-torn Skies - Hertfordshire.

Hertfordshire's aviation history started when the Italian Vincenzo Lunardi landed here in his balloon 222 years ago so there's plenty to talk about. Julian told us this week his book is the result of thirty years' research and includes lists of the most heavily bombed zones in east Hertfordshire and more than 160 air crashes in the county between 1912 and 1945. It also contains photographs of the Junkers 88 that bombed de-Havillands at Hatfield which, he says, "was consequently shot down and crashed nearby."

The book has previously unpublished photographs of wreckage and some crew members from the two B17s which collided over Weston. Julian has recorded "eye-witness accounts, even interviews with Luftwaffe crew members shot down over here". He's also gathered many anecdotes, and artefacts recovered from crash sites.

Julian Evan-Hart is a leading British expert in metal detecting and comes from Hertfordshire. You can reserve a free place at the talk by phoning David's Bookshop on Letchworth on 01462 684631 or emailing them at staff@davids-bookshops.co.uk. It promises to be an interesting evening.

This page updated 18 July 2007