The fascinating tale is a tribute to the remarkable Chris Harrison and all the brave men that flew in the war. It features a plethora of fascinating motorcycles of the 1920s - 1930s. It is lavishly illustrated throughout with over 160 photographs including a colour section.
Review coverage in local press; POS available. "Racing Motorcyclist, Rolls-Royce Engineer, Mosquito Pilot" tells the fascinating story of Chris Harrison, the boss of author, Peter McManus, at Rolls-Royce in Derby immediately after the war when they both worked on aero-engine development. Chris is a remarkable man, a born engineer with a genius for problem solving.
Since those days they have never lost touch. He raced an ex works Norton in the 1930s, worked at Rolls-Royce on aero-engine testing then volunteered for service in the RAF. He commenced flying in America but was diverted to Packards, Detroit, to help with Merlin engine manufacture before finally completing his flying training.
Back in England he flew Mosquito night fighters over Occupied Europe...and survived! After the war he returned to Rolls-Royce, Derby where he eventually took charge of the Test Office. In 1953 Rolls-Royce opened a branch in Australia to service the Royal Australian Air Force turbo- jet engines and Chris moved to Australia. After Rolls-Royce he eventually worked for Goodyear in their aviation tyre division where his problem solving skills were again successful.
Chris was born in 1915 so now in 2009 he is 94 years of age. He rode a motorcycle until he was 90, still drives a car and continues to work on vintage motorcycles.
