{ "item_title" : "The First Flight", "item_author" : [" Chris Newey "], "item_description" : "In 1938, with war looming in Europe, the New Zealand government launched abold plan to bolster the country's long-neglected air defences, based on theadvice of a young RAF officer, Ralph Cochrane. Cochrane's new RNZAF wouldbe built around two new long range reconnaissance and strike squadrons, andfor this, 30 of Britain's most up-to-date bomber aircraft needed to bepurchased and delivered from the other side of the world. Led by a legendarywing commander and some of New Zealand's most celebrated aviators, a team ofpilots and technicians was assembled in England to fly them back, six at atime. By late August 1939, war was imminent and the government offered to put themen and machines at the disposal of the Royal Air Force (RAF). It was thefirst material contribution to Britain's war effort by any Commonwealthcountry, made a week before war was declared. The first ferry flight hadbeen due to leave only a month later. But the generous gesture left New Zealand vulnerable to attack, without anymodern front-line aircraft and without some of its most experienced pilots.The country's ineffective defences against attack from the sea were quicklyexposed. After seven months of political debate and hard work the small unit waseventually built up to full operational status - No. 75 (New Zealand)Squadron - the first Commonwealth squadron to be formed within the RAF. 'TheNew Zealand Bomber Squadron' became famous for its many accomplishmentsduring the Second World War and a source of great national pride. Until now, the story of how it came into being has never been properly told.", "item_img_path" : "https://covers3.booksamillion.com/covers/bam/1/91/533/549/1915335493_b.jpg", "price_data" : { "retail_price" : "27.12", "online_price" : "27.12", "our_price" : "27.12", "club_price" : "27.12", "savings_pct" : "0", "savings_amt" : "0.00", "club_savings_pct" : "0", "club_savings_amt" : "0.00", "discount_pct" : "10", "store_price" : "" } }

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