Hardcover version. This book comprises a facsimile of two notebooks kept by Thomas Masters Hardy whilst he was stationed at RAF Chingford, Essex in World War One. The two notebooks are his own handwritten copies of training material required to repair and maintain aircraft. One is written in ink with multi-coloured diagrams, the second is a more work-day book written in pencil.
The first book is reproduced in full as it required no editing or additional commentary. For the second book the drawings have been reproduced as he drew them but his handwritten notes have been type set in a cursive script to enable easier reading.
Ten black and white photographs, taken by TMH, are included that feature aircraft at RAF Fairlop, a landing ground and sub-station of RAF Chingford.
An introductory chapter has been written by Annelise Fielding, granddaughter of TM Hardy.
TM Hardy was the grandson of the Swanage master builder antiquarian and author William Masters Hardy and took over the family building firm from his father George Hardy. He was a time served cabinet maker and his skills were used during these early days of aviation when aircraft were constructed of timber frames with doped fabric covering the fuselage and wings. At the conclusion of the war he returned to the family building firm . He died in 1976.