Tool Box on the Wing (NZ Air Force) by Geoffrey Ellis ISBN 0908606176 Publisher: Mallinson Rendel, Wellington, 1983, First edition

Very good hardback and jacket, 253 pages, b&w illustrations. Slight rubbing to bottom boards and slight creasing on edge of jacket.

Geoffrey Ellis joined the RAF as a Cranwell apprentice in 1923 and after a few years in the service was posted to the Sudan and his experiences there make fascinating reading. He became a member of the New Zealand Permanent Air Force in 1933 (the RNZAF was established in 1938) and his recollections of the PAF, a very small force, and the rapid development of the RNZAF up to WWII are also revealing. He played an important role in the force during WWII, retiring after 25 years service with the RNZAF with the rank of Wing Commander. The title stems from his earliest days in service flying with the engineering side of operations. Particularly interesting from the point of view of between the wars service life and RAF operations in the Pacific in WWII. 253 pages including index, 29 b/w photos. Blue hard covers with gilt spine titles.