Classic Military Aviation Books
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,698
Received 342 Likes
on
188 Posts
If you do go for the Bob Stanford-Tuck "Fly for Your Life" biography (by Larry Forrester) try to get the unabridged version - it's much better!
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No-one has mentioned "Sagittarius Rising" by Cecil Lewis, which I think must be the best book on what it was like to fly in WW1 and (to a civilian) the book which I felt gave me a real insight into what military flying might be about.
Maybe it's too distant from the modern airforce to be a good choice for current military pilots, but it certainly captured some of what I feel about my private flying in gliders and I've never read anything which captured the magic of flying so well.
(And, if anyone ever wants to talk down military pilots, the sheer level of human sacrifice described here should shut them up for ever)
Maybe it's too distant from the modern airforce to be a good choice for current military pilots, but it certainly captured some of what I feel about my private flying in gliders and I've never read anything which captured the magic of flying so well.
(And, if anyone ever wants to talk down military pilots, the sheer level of human sacrifice described here should shut them up for ever)
Good choice, Prof!
Also worth a look if you're into WW1 are Arthur Gould Lee, No Parachute and Norman MacMillan, Into the Blue . Both are out of print, but should be readily available from local libraries/inter-library loan.
Also worth a look if you're into WW1 are Arthur Gould Lee, No Parachute and Norman MacMillan, Into the Blue . Both are out of print, but should be readily available from local libraries/inter-library loan.
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Farnham, Surrey
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Winged Victory by V M Yeates is probably the most evocative of WWI flying books, on a par with Journeys End by Sheriff for the Army guys. Strange there seems to be no equivalent for the RN in WWI.
James McCudden, Five Years in the RFC, and King of Air Fighters, by Ira Jones, about Mick Mannock and his sojourns on 74 and 85 Sqns are also worth a read if you are into the old stuff.
These are the books that I grew up with in the 50s/60s as my Old Man had them and I naturally browsed the bookcase.
From the Japanese point of view, Samurai by Saburo Sakai is outstanding, but only if you get the version that was printed in the 50s/60s, which details the selection procedure for NCO pilots in the Imperial Japanese Navy. A couple of examples that spring to mind, jumping off diving boards onto the concrete below to practice aerobatics and trying to sharpen up your eyesight by spotting stars in the daytime and then swinging back to them after moving away.
All first class books, which have now got me trundling off to the bookcase myself.....
jf
James McCudden, Five Years in the RFC, and King of Air Fighters, by Ira Jones, about Mick Mannock and his sojourns on 74 and 85 Sqns are also worth a read if you are into the old stuff.
These are the books that I grew up with in the 50s/60s as my Old Man had them and I naturally browsed the bookcase.
From the Japanese point of view, Samurai by Saburo Sakai is outstanding, but only if you get the version that was printed in the 50s/60s, which details the selection procedure for NCO pilots in the Imperial Japanese Navy. A couple of examples that spring to mind, jumping off diving boards onto the concrete below to practice aerobatics and trying to sharpen up your eyesight by spotting stars in the daytime and then swinging back to them after moving away.
All first class books, which have now got me trundling off to the bookcase myself.....
jf
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: The Land of the Sabbath and of the Priest
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Bomber Command is dreadfully under-represented in this list of "must reads".
Might I propose "A Thousand Shall fall" by Murray Peden? Bomber Support Ops on 214 Sqn with Stirlings and Fortresses.
Might I propose "A Thousand Shall fall" by Murray Peden? Bomber Support Ops on 214 Sqn with Stirlings and Fortresses.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Have to disagree that Bomber Command is not represented in the offerings thus far. "Pursuit Through Darkened Skies" is a night fighter book, but most of the ops described are as part of 100 Group, Bomber Command.
In that category, include "Night Fighter" by J.R. D. "Bob" Braham also has to be included. His night intruder account in support of Bomber Command is poignant and funny as well.
In that category, include "Night Fighter" by J.R. D. "Bob" Braham also has to be included. His night intruder account in support of Bomber Command is poignant and funny as well.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: ici
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's a bit early for this thread. Doesn't it usually start just before Christmas?
Is it sad that I've read most of these?
Anyway, my contributions:
Blond Knight of Germany - rubbish!
The First and the Last (Galland) - magnificent.
Nice and easy read, but worth it - Typhoon Pilot, by Desmond Scott.
Enemy Coast Ahead - whatever you may think of the sqn, and the boss, a humbling read.
But the one that had the most profound effect on me was Hugh Dundas' book, Flying Start.
He was an 18 yr old Plt Off in 1938; acting Gp Capt in 1943, commanding the Sicily Spitfire Wing. Very humble chap, but clearly knew what he was doing.
His career and mine were very similar, right up to the 18 year old Pilot Officer part.
Is it sad that I've read most of these?
Anyway, my contributions:
Blond Knight of Germany - rubbish!
The First and the Last (Galland) - magnificent.
Nice and easy read, but worth it - Typhoon Pilot, by Desmond Scott.
Enemy Coast Ahead - whatever you may think of the sqn, and the boss, a humbling read.
But the one that had the most profound effect on me was Hugh Dundas' book, Flying Start.
He was an 18 yr old Plt Off in 1938; acting Gp Capt in 1943, commanding the Sicily Spitfire Wing. Very humble chap, but clearly knew what he was doing.
His career and mine were very similar, right up to the 18 year old Pilot Officer part.
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: 'Merica
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
3 I've very much enjoyed recently.
Chickenhawk
Phantom Over Vietnam
On Yankee Station
Slightly off the 'aviation' topic, but Tim Collins "Rules of Engagement: A Life in Conflict" (ISBN 0755313747) I have hardly been able to put down........
Bear 555
:-)
Chickenhawk
Phantom Over Vietnam
On Yankee Station
Slightly off the 'aviation' topic, but Tim Collins "Rules of Engagement: A Life in Conflict" (ISBN 0755313747) I have hardly been able to put down........
Bear 555
:-)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you're into classic Brit jets then I can recommend Graham Pitchfork's well written study of the Buccaneer, or an oldy but goldy (if it's still available) is Brian Philpott's Meteor classic.
Another two that are worth a read if it takes your 'defence' interest are either of the insiders view of Delta Force (Col Charlie Beckwith and Eric Haney), although I prefer Haney's account as a good read.
Another two that are worth a read if it takes your 'defence' interest are either of the insiders view of Delta Force (Col Charlie Beckwith and Eric Haney), although I prefer Haney's account as a good read.
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: England
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A Modern Classic that's destined to be Immortal
For the effect of a very close-up and personal war upon an aviator and the resultant descent into his own personal hell, Chickenhawk by Viet chopper driver Robert Mason has got to be a modern classic.
For those who may have wondered what a helicopter pilot's life in Vietnam was like, it's a "must read".
Imagine sitting there in your anti-ballistic helmet, chicken-plate and flak jacket, with your 9mm/45 slewed around and down over the family jewels, sliding armour-plate slid forward, the sound of four M60's chattering away, and looking forward through the splintered windscreen at the dust being kicked up by the machine-gunner in the tree-line who's trading tracer with your crewman. You desperately want to pull pitch but you know you can't - not until the SAS/LRRP patrol makes it into the pad and gets aboard.
You saw the same sight picture two days previous, and you know that if you survive, you'll probably see it again a little later that week - or maybe as early as tomorrow. The unrelenting trauma of that sort of consistent pressure eventually drove Mason mad.... and he had a long road back.
For those who may have wondered what a helicopter pilot's life in Vietnam was like, it's a "must read".
Imagine sitting there in your anti-ballistic helmet, chicken-plate and flak jacket, with your 9mm/45 slewed around and down over the family jewels, sliding armour-plate slid forward, the sound of four M60's chattering away, and looking forward through the splintered windscreen at the dust being kicked up by the machine-gunner in the tree-line who's trading tracer with your crewman. You desperately want to pull pitch but you know you can't - not until the SAS/LRRP patrol makes it into the pad and gets aboard.
You saw the same sight picture two days previous, and you know that if you survive, you'll probably see it again a little later that week - or maybe as early as tomorrow. The unrelenting trauma of that sort of consistent pressure eventually drove Mason mad.... and he had a long road back.
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Glorious Devon
Posts: 721
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have just finished reading "The Burning Blue" by James Holland and enjoyed it greatly. It is a novel, but grounded on obviously serious study of the Battle of Britain and the air war in the Western Desert leading up to Alamein. The author consulted with many B o B survivors, including Geoffrey Wellum ("First Light"). There are convincing descriptions of life at Cambridge in the late thirties (the hero, Joss Lambert, joined the RAFVR through CUAS) and glimpses of life among the "landed gentry" in Wiltshire before the war and during the summer of 1940. ALthough written by a relatively young author in 2004, I believe he has caught the flavour of the period very well. It is beautifully written, and I would have guessed that it was written from first-hand memories of the times, but for the occasional intrusion of current colloquialsims. ISBN 0 09 943647 7.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: North Yorkshire
Age: 82
Posts: 641
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Chickenhawk", for a chopper pilot, is the most awesome read.
"The Big Show" by Pierre Closterman is the definitive WW2 fighter pilot account.
Surprised no one has mentioned "F4 Phantom" by Robert Presst (not sure I've spelled him right).
As a youth I read a book called "Stuka Pilot" by Heinz Ulrich Rudel, one legged german ace for whom Hitler invented a special Iron Cross, who destroyed 1000 russian tanks in his Ju 87 and who also sank a russian battleship. He was an unrepentant nazi and I suspect his autobiography is now politically unacceptable and so long out of print. Made fascinating reading though.
CM
"The Big Show" by Pierre Closterman is the definitive WW2 fighter pilot account.
Surprised no one has mentioned "F4 Phantom" by Robert Presst (not sure I've spelled him right).
As a youth I read a book called "Stuka Pilot" by Heinz Ulrich Rudel, one legged german ace for whom Hitler invented a special Iron Cross, who destroyed 1000 russian tanks in his Ju 87 and who also sank a russian battleship. He was an unrepentant nazi and I suspect his autobiography is now politically unacceptable and so long out of print. Made fascinating reading though.
CM
"Chickenhawk", for a chopper pilot, is the most awesome read.
"The Big Show" by Pierre Closterman is the definitive WW2 fighter pilot account.
As a youth I read a book called "Stuka Pilot" by Heinz Ulrich Rudel, one legged german ace for whom Hitler invented a special Iron Cross, who destroyed 1000 russian tanks in his Ju 87 and who also sank a russian battleship. He was an unrepentant nazi and I suspect his autobiography is now politically unacceptable and so long out of print. Made fascinating reading though.
"The Big Show" by Pierre Closterman is the definitive WW2 fighter pilot account.
As a youth I read a book called "Stuka Pilot" by Heinz Ulrich Rudel, one legged german ace for whom Hitler invented a special Iron Cross, who destroyed 1000 russian tanks in his Ju 87 and who also sank a russian battleship. He was an unrepentant nazi and I suspect his autobiography is now politically unacceptable and so long out of print. Made fascinating reading though.
"Big Show" again, research has proved Closterman's story to be...erm.....personally biased. But it was a good read when I was a teenager though!
It's Hans-Ulrich Rudel.
And the special award was a golden version of the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. As a Luftwaffe Officer he wasn't allowed to be a Nazi party member, but as said, his unrepentant sympathy for the 'cause' tainted an otherwise remarkable miltary record.
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Got to chip in with
The Ravens - can't remember author but basically Air America in Laos / S.E. Asia. Damn good read.
Also enjoyed 'I Flew for the Fuhrer' - Heinz Knoke (could this be out of print ? - I wonder?)
The Ravens - can't remember author but basically Air America in Laos / S.E. Asia. Damn good read.
Also enjoyed 'I Flew for the Fuhrer' - Heinz Knoke (could this be out of print ? - I wonder?)
Join Date: May 2000
Location: door or ramp, don't mind.
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Like others my recommendations are non-aviation but still defence related...
"Braver Men Walk Away" by Peter Gurney. A life of EOD from 1950s Germany to Belfast in the 70s to London in the 90s.
(Also offers useful insight if building a mess cannon.
)
or "Knife Edge" by Richard Villar (described as a "Special Forces surgeon".....but don't let that put you off. He's not "Dr McNab")
Agree on Chickenhawk.
"Braver Men Walk Away" by Peter Gurney. A life of EOD from 1950s Germany to Belfast in the 70s to London in the 90s.
(Also offers useful insight if building a mess cannon.
)or "Knife Edge" by Richard Villar (described as a "Special Forces surgeon".....but don't let that put you off. He's not "Dr McNab")
Agree on Chickenhawk.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Not a book but we had a brief by a chopper pilot. He was in a low hover with no where to go. He looked to his right and saw a gook point a rifle straight at him.
Then, to his amazement, the gook swung two rifle lengths to the right for aim off and let fly.
Then, to his amazement, the gook swung two rifle lengths to the right for aim off and let fly.