The Part-Timers: A History Of The Raaf Reserves 1948-1998
Condition: SECONDHAND
This is a secondhand book. The jacket image is a photograph of the exact copy we have in stock. This image shows the condition of this book. Further condition remarks are below.
Edition: First Edition Thus
Condition remarks:
Book: Good
Jacket: Worn/faded, no tears
Pages: Good
For fifty years, thousands of Australians served their country not as full-time soldiers of the sky, but as weekend warriors — and The Part-Timers is their definitive chronicle. Doug Hurst's meticulously researched history traces the Royal Australian Air Force Reserves from their post-war reconstitution in 1948 through to the golden anniversary year of 1998, documenting the men, machines, and missions that defined half a century of part-time service. Drawing on official records, personal testimonies, and squadron histories, the narrative reconstructs the Reserve's evolving role within Australia's broader defence architecture, capturing the tension between peacetime austerity and the ever-present demands of national security. Hurst writes with the authority of an insider and the clarity of a seasoned historian, illuminating the often-overlooked contribution of reservist airmen who balanced civilian careers with the rigorous demands of military aviation. The book argues convincingly that these part-time aviators were never peripheral to Australia's defence capability — they were central to it. Rich in operational detail yet accessible in tone, this is an indispensable volume for anyone interested in Australian military history, aviation heritage, or the enduring culture of service that defines the nation's armed forces. What emerges is a portrait of dedication that will leave readers questioning just how part-time these remarkable individuals ever truly were.
Author: Doug Hurst
Format: Hardback
Published: 1999, Australian Defence Force Journal Publication
Genre: Australian history
Edition: First Edition Thus
Condition remarks:
Book: Good
Jacket: Worn/faded, no tears
Pages: Good
For fifty years, thousands of Australians served their country not as full-time soldiers of the sky, but as weekend warriors — and The Part-Timers is their definitive chronicle. Doug Hurst's meticulously researched history traces the Royal Australian Air Force Reserves from their post-war reconstitution in 1948 through to the golden anniversary year of 1998, documenting the men, machines, and missions that defined half a century of part-time service. Drawing on official records, personal testimonies, and squadron histories, the narrative reconstructs the Reserve's evolving role within Australia's broader defence architecture, capturing the tension between peacetime austerity and the ever-present demands of national security. Hurst writes with the authority of an insider and the clarity of a seasoned historian, illuminating the often-overlooked contribution of reservist airmen who balanced civilian careers with the rigorous demands of military aviation. The book argues convincingly that these part-time aviators were never peripheral to Australia's defence capability — they were central to it. Rich in operational detail yet accessible in tone, this is an indispensable volume for anyone interested in Australian military history, aviation heritage, or the enduring culture of service that defines the nation's armed forces. What emerges is a portrait of dedication that will leave readers questioning just how part-time these remarkable individuals ever truly were.