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by Patricia E. Long (Author)
For twelve years, researcher Patricia E. Long followed a trail of hidden brooches, sealed bank vaults, and royal archives to uncover an extraordinary untold chapter of World War II.
SECRETS OF THE P-39 AIRCOBRA FIGHTER PLANE WORLD WAR II reveals how American aviation pioneer Lawrence "Larry" Bell and his compact P-39 Airacobra helped Britain and its allies hold the line against Hitler's Luftwaffe and why King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother quietly rewarded him with two priceless royal gifts, never seen by the public for 80 years.
Drawing on family testimony, Bell Aircraft company records, and modern precious-metal analysis, Long pieces together the journey of two jeweled P-39 brooches crafted in platinum, diamonds, rubies, and sapphires under the wartime Strategic Metals Act and delivered in secret by King Peter II. Their story illuminates the birth of jet-age aviation, the rush to create America's first jet fighter, and the personal sacrifices of Larry and Lucille Bell as they turned bold ideas into front-line aircraft.
Inside, you'll step into the pressure of pre-war factory floors, follow royal visits to the Wheatfield plant, and see how these "flying jewels" connect to icons like Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Rich photographs and technical details make this book indispensable for aviation buffs, WWII historians, modelers, jewelry and militaria collectors, and anyone fascinated by the quiet heroes behind history-making machines.
At last, the hidden honors of the P-39 Airacobra can be fully appreciated. Includes a rare response letter from Queen Elizabeth II acknowledging the research and affirming the historic importance of these long-forgotten royal commendations. A key reference for personal and institutional collections.
For anyone who is interested in history of aircrafts and military aircraft stories, this book is a no-brainer.
