Jump Jet - by Michael Pryce (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

PRE-ORDER THE FASCINATING AND UNEXPECTED STORY OF THE ICONIC HARRIER JUMP JET, AND THE BRITISH ENGINEER WHO BUILT IT

Victory in the Falklands War made the Harrier's name as a world-beating British icon, as capable of giving the enemy a bloody nose as it was of thrilling the crowds at airshows with its thunderous aerial ballet. Its failure seemed inconceivable.

But that's not the real story of the Harrier.

From its inception, it faced an uncertain future. Designed to survive a nuclear war, it barely survived government cuts. And in an era of big, supersonic, fighters, the little jump jet was too often dismissed as a novelty.

The Harrier's designer, Ralph Hooper, knew that the naysayers were as wrong as the digital data that failed to produce a working rival to his little jump jet. He saw what the computers could not. Hooper's masterpiece was born of instinct and feel. And, from day one, was nurtured by American confidence in his unique creation.

Rich with revelatory detail, Jump Jet tells the inspiring story of the Harrier's unlikely triumph, but also reveals for the first time the inside story of Ralph Hooper's revolutionary design for the Harrier's successor. And uncovers how Hooper, discarded at home by the company whose reputation he helped cement, was called back to save the day when America's own troubled jump jet was on life support.

This is the real story of a British flying legend, and of the man who made it.

Review Quotes

A fascinating, insightful and revealing history of this iconic British jet.--John Nicol, bestselling author of Spitfire and Blitz

An engineering marvel, the Harrier is a flying machine that seems to defy logic. Through a rich cast of characters and page-turning narrative, Michael Pryce reveals how, while rival jump jet designers pinned their hopes on data and analysis, and failed, the brilliance of the Harrier was born of human ingenuity, creativity and intuition. A superb book--Rory Sutherland, Author of Alchemy

Rich in character, technical intrigue and moments of genuine wonder ... Pryce has achieved something rare: a book about aerospace engineering that reads like a thriller ... as exciting and bizarre as the Harrier itself--Joe Coles, Hush-Kit

About the Author

Michael Pryce studied the history of technology, completed a PhD and ended up working on aircraft projects, from the famous Harrier jump jet to electric 'flying taxis.' Mike was an independent science and technology advisor to the UK Government, work that led to 'Team Tempest' - the future of fighter design. In between aviation projects he helped build Amazon when it was a company selling books. Despite his plane mania he ditched a visit to Top Gun to become a parent, so he thinks he has his priorities straight.