Classic Military Aviation Books
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Classic Military Aviation Books
Dear all,
I have recently been offered a prize consisting of up to 3 books of my choice that must be defence (and preferably military aviation) related. I was simply wondering if anyone knows of any good quality, defence titles that they believe would be well worth getting.
Your opinions are much appreciated.
I have recently been offered a prize consisting of up to 3 books of my choice that must be defence (and preferably military aviation) related. I was simply wondering if anyone knows of any good quality, defence titles that they believe would be well worth getting.
Your opinions are much appreciated.
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Dozens and dozens. And it can depend entirely on what your taste in aviation books are.
WW2 classics like "Wing Leader", "The Last Enemy" and the one by Bob Tuck whose title escapes me, have all been among my favorites. There was a great on the Vulcan, again the title excapes me. ("Delta Lady" maybe)... Sadly I can't be more help been a number of years since I read any of them.
WW2 classics like "Wing Leader", "The Last Enemy" and the one by Bob Tuck whose title escapes me, have all been among my favorites. There was a great on the Vulcan, again the title excapes me. ("Delta Lady" maybe)... Sadly I can't be more help been a number of years since I read any of them.
PP,
'Nine Lives' was the Autobiography of Alan Deere, and a thoroughly good book it is!
'The Big Show' by Pierre Closterman is worth a gleg.
'Fighter Boys' by Patrick Bishop is a v.good Battle of Britain factual title.
'Nine Lives' was the Autobiography of Alan Deere, and a thoroughly good book it is!
'The Big Show' by Pierre Closterman is worth a gleg.
'Fighter Boys' by Patrick Bishop is a v.good Battle of Britain factual title.
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Books
"Night Fighter" by Rawnsley and Wright - classic RAF nightfighter story - both the development of AI, the Beau, and the Mossie, as well as frank description of aircrew life
"Pursuit Through Darkened Skies" by Micheal Allen - another nightfighter story
"They Gave Me a Seafire" by R. Crosley - FAA ops in WWII
"Wings on My Sleeve" by Eric Brown - FAA test pilot, flew an amazing number of aircraft
"Pursuit Through Darkened Skies" by Micheal Allen - another nightfighter story
"They Gave Me a Seafire" by R. Crosley - FAA ops in WWII
"Wings on My Sleeve" by Eric Brown - FAA test pilot, flew an amazing number of aircraft
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First Light - Wellum is an excellent book - best for a long time!
Try also,
Enemy Coast Ahead - Gibson
Only Owls and Bl00dy Fools - can't remember - try Amazon
Last Enemy - Hillary
Arnhem - various
Full Circle - J Johnson
Oh, and don't forget Catch 22 and Chickenhawk.
Try also,
Enemy Coast Ahead - Gibson
Only Owls and Bl00dy Fools - can't remember - try Amazon
Last Enemy - Hillary
Arnhem - various
Full Circle - J Johnson
Oh, and don't forget Catch 22 and Chickenhawk.
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"Going Downtown" by Col Jack Broughton - Col Broughton's account of his USAF career encompassing Korea, leading the Thunderbirds, over 100 missions over North Vietnam in F-105s, and culminating in his court martial over the Turkestan incident.
Brig Gen Ken Bell's "100 Missions North" covers some of the same Vietnam / F-105 territory as "Going Downtown".
Rear Admiral Paul Gillcrist's books "Vulture's Row" and "Feet Wet" are both good reads too - from flying Grumman Panthers through flight test, F-8s, F-4s and Top Gun. Good sh1t.
Good luck with your search.
Brig Gen Ken Bell's "100 Missions North" covers some of the same Vietnam / F-105 territory as "Going Downtown".
Rear Admiral Paul Gillcrist's books "Vulture's Row" and "Feet Wet" are both good reads too - from flying Grumman Panthers through flight test, F-8s, F-4s and Top Gun. Good sh1t.
Good luck with your search.
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Tail End Charlies by John Nichol and Tony Rennell. An excellent book about bomber command 1944-45.
Also agree that First Light by Geoffrey Wellum is a cracking read.
Although not aviation I recommend these
The Last Escape by John Nichol and Tony Rennell details the plight of POWs at the end of WW2 also excellent.
Stalingrad and the Battle for Berlin both by Anthony Beevor.
Also agree that First Light by Geoffrey Wellum is a cracking read.
Although not aviation I recommend these
The Last Escape by John Nichol and Tony Rennell details the plight of POWs at the end of WW2 also excellent.
Stalingrad and the Battle for Berlin both by Anthony Beevor.
"The Blonde Knight of Germany" by Raymond Tolliver. The biography of the highest scoring fighter pilot, Erich Hartmann.
Agree with previous post regarding the CF Rawnsley 'Night Fighter' book, as well as the Robert Stanford Tuck and Eric 'Winkle' Brown books, especially the latter.
Agree with previous post regarding the CF Rawnsley 'Night Fighter' book, as well as the Robert Stanford Tuck and Eric 'Winkle' Brown books, especially the latter.
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The following link takes you to Amazon's list of Air Forces books in best selling order:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...730869-4196455
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...730869-4196455
I thought "Sea Harrier over the Falklands" was a very well balanced and unbiased tome. It's author was very aware of the need for jointery in the MoD and spent much of the book praising the capabilities of other squadrons, aircraft and Services.
A particularly excellent read if you are a "fishhead", 800Sqn, RAF or Senior Officer!
A particularly excellent read if you are a "fishhead", 800Sqn, RAF or Senior Officer!
Three books only, what a terrible choice to have to make but, I would go for any of the the below
The First and Last by Adolph Galland.
50 years of the U2 by Chris Pocock.
The Instruments of Darkness by Alfred Price.
Chinnok by dave McMullon.
SR 71 by Paul Crckmoor.
The First and Last by Adolph Galland.
50 years of the U2 by Chris Pocock.
The Instruments of Darkness by Alfred Price.
Chinnok by dave McMullon.
SR 71 by Paul Crckmoor.