The most iconic planes of WWII, the Supermarine Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane, DeHavilland Mosquito and the Avro Lancaster, were all powered by one engine, the Rolls-Royce Merlin. The story of the Merlin is one of British ingenuity at its height, of artistry and problem-solving that resulted in a war-winning design.

Rate of Climb is an original and continually entertaining biography, drawing on previously unpublished family and archival material, from a leading ex-RAF fighter pilot who flew Lightnings, Phantoms, Tonrado F2/3s and other high-performance aircraft.