Hurricane Tim - disappointed?

[Dave Homewood]

I have the excellent book Hurricane Tim, by Neville Peat, abdout the life and work of Sir Tim Wallis. I finished reading it about two months ago, and though I thought it was a superb insight into Tim's personal, family and business life, I wondered did anyone else here who's read it feel it was very light by comparison on detail of his Warbirds collection?

I was thinking all the way through the book that, since it was very detailed on all aspects and very well written, when I get to the warbirds I'll learn a think or too. But apart from concentrating on the Polikarpovs and a mention of a few other types, there was nothing. No mention of the Buchons and Wildcat that were bought and sold through the collection, or the reasoning behind various aircraft being sold off. Things like the Zero replica didn't even get a mention, nor did the ex-RNZAF Mustang and some other types hey had.

Sure, maybe it's not our business to know, but then the rest of the book did make every other part of his life and every deal, it seemed, our business.

I highly recommend the book, it's a smashing read and enlightening and inspiring story. But as a warbirds fan it did slightly disappoint me.

What did you think?

[flyjoe180]

Like you Dave, I also finished reading Hurricane Tim recently. I read and read, waiting for Tim's full warbird story, and was also left feeling like this part of the story had been brushed over lightly. I did learn a lot about flora and fauna though! It would have been nice to hear stories about a few of the famous aircraft the AFC has owned over the years, and how they came to be owned and sold by AFC. The book does contain a reasonably good ending section of a typical WOW display day though and there are some good photos in that part.

Overall, a good insight into Sir Tim's life and the industries he has been involved in, but not the most informative book for the warbirds fan. 6/10

[Dave Homewood]

I noticed Peat has put outh two versions of the book, plus a paperback. I wonder if he's saving the warbirds for another book with more detail. A shame he didn't cover the aquisitions, ownership, maintenance, restorations, crashes and disposals a lot more deeply. It is the warbirds that made Sir Tim a household name, despite all his good works in farming and conservation, etc.