<p>Jack Conroy, the creator of the Pregnant Guppy, believed in his visions and didn t tolerate naysayers. His smile was an integral part of his personality. With it he charmed the ladies, was devilish when he was up to mischief, and was disarming when he wanted to be. Conroy sold the stock he had in the company that operated the Guppys after a difference of opinion with some stockholders. He then started the Conroy Aircraft Corporation and that s where this story begins. During its five years of existence, Conroy's creative genius and individuality took the company on an exciting roller-coaster ride. The authors, Kirby and Warner, believed, and still believe, that Conroy was one of aviation's truly great visionary entrepreneurs and promoters. They were with Smilin' Jack from the very conception of the Conroy Aircraft Corporation to its heart-wrenching demise. The authors have a natural story-telling talent that brings this saga to life for the reader s enjoyment. We believe you will find this book informative, fascinating and a delightful read. Clay Lacy graciously wrote the book's foreword to honor his long-time friend, Jack Conroy. They had many flying adventures together and some misadventures as related in this book.</p>

Aviation Visionary, Smilin' Jack Conroy

Robert Kirby

George Warner

BAC Publishers, Inc.

This is the definitive account of the Avro Manchester based upon detailed research by Dr Robert Kirby. This new and greatly expanded edition follows on from Dr Kirby's original edition of 1995, containing 30 per cent of additional text and is richly illustrated with more than 200 black and white photographs. In the early dark days of the Second World War, RAF Bomber Command was obliged to operate for 18 months deep into occupied Europe with the underdeveloped, Rolls-Royce Vulture-powered Avro Manchester. It was the largest and only Allied bomber to use the Vulture operationally. This account draws out, chronologically, the airframe and engine development intermixed with personal experiences from pilots and other personnel.  Early evolution was protracted, and unrealistic multiple roles were abandoned. All flying surfaces required extension to provide an adequate flight envelope and progress was further set back by severe Vulture problems. Avro Manchesters entered squadron service without significant type-testing being undertaken and in the first eight months witnessed four groundings. Rolls-Royce themselves contributed this illuminating aspect. Eventually, seven RAF squadrons, using 202 Manchesters with 538 Vultures contributed 1,260 sorties, mainly day and night bombing and mining. A contrasted highlight is the stunning aircrew accounts, fearful of weather, flak and fighters, but perpetually nursing and cajoling their temperamental Vultures through hostile skies. Through the narrative several threads reveal the ultimate wisdom of persisting with a type which ultimately blossomed into the 'war-winning' Lancaster. The book also included fascinating reviews of second line duties and six appendices provide essential reference.REVIEWS offers anecdotes from former crew members about harrowing ordeals over enemy territory, as well as flying the unreliable bomber in non combat situations. This is undoubtedly the definitive history of its less than legendary subject and it's a must for those interested in reading about the challenges that the bomber command facedAviation History July 2016

Avro Manchester: The Legend Behind the Lancaster

Midland Publishing

<p>Pat and Kirby finally get their eternal reward. Join them as they follow St. Peter's advice and "go toward the light." That glow in the distance may be coming from the Pearly Gates, but, knowing our boys, it's more likely the boiler room in hell. Still, it's nothing more than they deserve. This is the third book in the series begun with Sunday of the Living Dead by the SL Trib boys, Robert Kirby (Editorial Columnist) and Pat Bagley (Editorial Cartoonist).</p>

Pat & Kirby Go to Hell

Pat Bagley

Reference

Slickrick Books

From Ignatz-Award-nominated editor Rob Kirby comes a new anthology with 241 pages of new comics from 33 contributors-legends and new faces alike. In 2012, Justin Hall edited a book called No Straight Lines: Four Decades of Queer Comics, that took readers on a journey from the beginnings of LGBT comics history to the present day. QU33R picks up where No Straight Lines left off; we've set down our history, now QU33R shines a light on our future! QU33R had its genesis in an all-color queer comic zine called THREE, which featured three stories by three creators or teams per issue. Rob Kirby published three installments of THREE annually from 2010 to 2012, and the series did well, garnering not only an Ignatz nomination for Outstanding Anthology or Collection but also earning Rob the Prism Comics Queer Press Grant in 2011. QU33R also includes work by Amanda Verwey (Manderz Totally Top Private Diary), Carlo Quispe (Uranus), Carrie McNinch (You Don't Get There From Here, The Assassin and the Whiner), Christine Smith (The Princess), Craig Bostick (Darby Crash, Go-Go Girl, Boy Trouble), David Kelly (Rainy Day Recess: The Complete Steven's Comics, Boy Trouble), Dylan "NDR" Edwards (Transposes, Politically InQueerect), Edie Fake (Gaylord Phoenix), Eric Kostiuk Williams (Hungry Bottom Comics), Ivan Velez, Jr. (Tales of the Closet, Dead High Yearbook), Jennifer Camper (Juicy Mother, Rude Girls and Dangerous Women, subGURLZ), Jose-Luis Olivares (Pansy Boy), Justin Hall (Glamazonia: The Uncanny Super-Tranny, True Travel Tales), Kris Dresen (Manya, Max & Lily, She Said), L. Nichols (Flocks, Jumbly Junkery), Marian Runk (Not a Horse Girl, The Magic Hedge), Michael Fahy (Boy Trouble), Rick Worley (A Waste of Time), Rob Kirby (THREE, Boy Trouble, Curbside), Sasha Steinberg (Stonewall, Queerotica), Sina Sparrow (Art Fag, Boy Crazy Boy), Steve MacIsaac (Shirtlifter), Terrance Griep (Scooby-Doo), and Tyler Cohen (Primahood).

QU33R (hardcover)

Northwest Press

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Robert Kirby. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Robert Kirby

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Robert Kirby. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Aviation Visionary, Smilin' Jack Conroy

Avro Manchester: The Legend Behind the Lancaster

Pat & Kirby Go to Hell

QU33R (hardcover)