Matthew Willis's Indomitable: A Wing and a Prayer uses a Sea Hurricane pilot's story to explore Operation Pedestal. The praise for its historical detail comes with a reservation about calling the Sea Hurricane outdated in August 1942. In this assessment it remained a capable fighter even though it was no longer at the forefront of development. Comparisons with the Bf 109 have to account for which marks had actually reached frontline squadrons and how many older machines remained. Allied factories away from bombing and an organised supply system also complicate assumptions that Axis units always received the latest equipment first.
Chapter · 5:05-11:22
Indomitable puts carrier aviation in operational context
A Pedestal novel prompts a reassessment of the Sea Hurricane in August 1942 and of comparisons that give every enemy squadron the newest available aircraft.