Royal Air Force Flying Review – April 1962

A fantastic piece of Cold War aviation history, this April 1962 issue of Royal Air Force Flying Review captures an era when jet technology, ejection systems and experimental aircraft were developing at extraordinary speed.

The striking period cover features the Ghana Air Force de Havilland Canada Caribou, together with the bold headlines “EJECT!” and “ARCTIC AIR WAR”.

Inside, the magazine is packed with contemporary aviation reporting, technical material, photographs, illustrations and wonderful period advertising.

Highlights

This issue is Vol. XVII, No. 7, published April 1962, and includes:

• “Eject! – Survival in the Snow” – examining ejection and survival, including Martin-Baker ejection-seat technology.
• “Arctic Air War” – billed on the cover as an exclusive first-time story.
• DHC-4 Caribou – technical coverage, including a scale plan and cutaway.
• Boeing KC-135A.
• Hawker Hart colour plate.
• Grumman Intruder colour plate and feature.
• “Too Much Ironmongery?” – Michael Farmer’s Model Talk feature looking at aircraft modelling.
• Contemporary international aviation intelligence and service news.

One of the particularly evocative features is the photographic Martin-Baker “Living Proof” advertisement showing the ejection sequence of a pilot escaping from a Chance Vought F8U-1 Crusader as the aircraft goes over the side of the carrier Franklin D. Roosevelt.

There are also excellent period advertisements from Fokker-Republic, promoting its proposed variable-geometry VTOL aircraft, and Airfix, featuring its famous scale construction kits – collectible pieces of aviation and modelling history in their own right.

Details

Publication: Royal Air Force Flying Review
Issue: Vol. XVII, No. 7
Date: April 1962
Publisher: Royal Air Force Review Ltd / Mercury House Publication
Printed: England
Language: English
Subject: Military Aviation / RAF / Aircraft / Cold War / Aviation Modelling
Original UK Price: 1s 9d
Original Australian Price: 2/-

Condition

A genuine 64-year-old aviation magazine in good vintage condition for its age.

The cover remains colourful and highly displayable, with expected edge and corner wear. The pages show noticeable age toning and some spotting/foxing, particularly around the margins and covers. There is general handling wear consistent with age and use.

The magazine appears complete from the photographs supplied, although it has not been individually page-checked.

📸 Please examine the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the description and provide the best indication of condition.

Why We Love It

There is something special about aviation magazines from this period. In 1962, many of the aircraft and technologies we now regard as icons of the Cold War were not history – they were news.

From Martin-Baker ejection seats and the Caribou to experimental VTOL concepts, carrier aviation and Airfix kits, this issue is a wonderful snapshot of how aviation enthusiasts saw the rapidly changing aerospace world of the early 1960s.

A great addition to a collection of RAF memorabilia, military aviation, Cold War ephemera, vintage aircraft magazines or Airfix and scale-modelling history.

Vintage HQ

At Vintage HQ, we love finding pieces that tell a story. Our collection brings together vintage furniture, art, books, magazines, advertising, collectables and unusual pieces from another era.

This item is available through Vintage HQ. Please note that not every item in our collection is permanently displayed in store, so if you are planning a visit specifically to view or collect this piece, we recommend contacting us beforehand to avoid disappointment.

📦 Shipping available, with the magazine carefully packed for its journey to its new home.

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