Good Air Novels??
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Snapshot, as Arch said the great Dr RV Jones died recently, but your other hero Alex Henshaw is thoroughly alive and kicking, recently seen on local TV climbing into Xray Foxtrot at Shutleworth for a brief interview - God thats one record well worth breaking after sixty years, but could we find a British engine and airframe to do the job?
Come to think of it, there's a worthy project to put PPRuNe into the record books. Our very own all British attempt to improve/consolidate Alex Henshaw's record of London-London via Cape Town, London-Cape Town, Cape Town-London and London to London via Cape Town and every sector on the way, and all on 200BHP.
Why not?
What achallenge for our young designers, engineers and pilots!
Come to think of it, there's a worthy project to put PPRuNe into the record books. Our very own all British attempt to improve/consolidate Alex Henshaw's record of London-London via Cape Town, London-Cape Town, Cape Town-London and London to London via Cape Town and every sector on the way, and all on 200BHP.
Why not?
What achallenge for our young designers, engineers and pilots!
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Len Deighton - "Goodbye Micky Mouse". A novel, unlike "Bomber" and "Fighter", which were "faction". Len Deighton did his national service in the RAF as a photographer. All his books are very well researched. This one is set in a USAAC P51 Mustang wing in East Anglia during WW2. The main difference between Len Deighton and most other aviation authors is that he can write.
PS. Who wrote "The High and the Mighty"? A good yarn about a DC6 en route Honolulu/San Francisco which shed a prop-blade somewhere near PNR and ruptured a fuel tank. It was touch-and-go whether it would make it. A period piece but the best "trucky" story I have read. It made a good film too.
[ 30 July 2001: Message edited by: Flatus Veteranus ]
PS. Who wrote "The High and the Mighty"? A good yarn about a DC6 en route Honolulu/San Francisco which shed a prop-blade somewhere near PNR and ruptured a fuel tank. It was touch-and-go whether it would make it. A period piece but the best "trucky" story I have read. It made a good film too.
[ 30 July 2001: Message edited by: Flatus Veteranus ]
FV - High and the Mighty was written by Ernest K Gann. An even better book of his is "Fate is the Hunter".
Other good aviation books I can recommend to the multitude (apart from some of those already mentioned):
Flying Fury - Major J T B McCudden, VC and lots of others - best piece of advice "Don't turn back on an EFATO!"
War In A Stringbag - Charles Lamb
Winged Victory (needs mentioning again)
Penguin in the Eyrie - H Bolitho - intriguing insight into the int world of Coastal Command in WW2
And last - if you can find it - the English Translation of a Czech novel about Czech aircrew in Bomber and Coastal Commands - Riders in the Sky by Filip Jansky. Once read never forgotten.
Other good aviation books I can recommend to the multitude (apart from some of those already mentioned):
Flying Fury - Major J T B McCudden, VC and lots of others - best piece of advice "Don't turn back on an EFATO!"
War In A Stringbag - Charles Lamb
Winged Victory (needs mentioning again)
Penguin in the Eyrie - H Bolitho - intriguing insight into the int world of Coastal Command in WW2
And last - if you can find it - the English Translation of a Czech novel about Czech aircrew in Bomber and Coastal Commands - Riders in the Sky by Filip Jansky. Once read never forgotten.
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Piston Broke,
thanks for bringing up 'Flight of the Mew Gull'. I must say, I only read it because of how Alex inspired me as a lad. My school was not 500 yards from the flight sheds from where he and his team tested the aircraft in those 'dark days'.
He gave me a copy when we were together last year and WHAT a read. Alex told me that he actually had/has more affection for the Mew than the Spitfire but most people for obvious reasons always associate him with the famous fighter.
Anyone who reads this book shall, in my opinion, agree that men like Alex Henshaw definitely put the 'Great' back in Great Britain. Shame our country has now gone to the dogs (in my opinion).
As you shall know, when he did this incredible flight to the Cape, there were no radios and nav aids like today, he was lucky to have the local natives light a few oil drums on the agreed day and time to mark a refuelling point or way point. What a star, I feel extremely privileged to call him a friend.
By the way, (this is not a sales pitch, if anyone does want a copy of 'Sigh for a Merlin', I can get copies)
Alex with Winston during a visit to Castle Bromwich by the PM.
Snappers
[ 30 July 2001: Message edited by: Snapshot ]
thanks for bringing up 'Flight of the Mew Gull'. I must say, I only read it because of how Alex inspired me as a lad. My school was not 500 yards from the flight sheds from where he and his team tested the aircraft in those 'dark days'.
He gave me a copy when we were together last year and WHAT a read. Alex told me that he actually had/has more affection for the Mew than the Spitfire but most people for obvious reasons always associate him with the famous fighter.
Anyone who reads this book shall, in my opinion, agree that men like Alex Henshaw definitely put the 'Great' back in Great Britain. Shame our country has now gone to the dogs (in my opinion).
As you shall know, when he did this incredible flight to the Cape, there were no radios and nav aids like today, he was lucky to have the local natives light a few oil drums on the agreed day and time to mark a refuelling point or way point. What a star, I feel extremely privileged to call him a friend.
By the way, (this is not a sales pitch, if anyone does want a copy of 'Sigh for a Merlin', I can get copies)
Alex with Winston during a visit to Castle Bromwich by the PM.
Snappers
[ 30 July 2001: Message edited by: Snapshot ]
A couple of modern-era authors I haven't seen mentioned yet:
Richard Herman - Warbirds, Against All Enemies, Firebreak, and several others.
Mark Berent - Phantom Leader, Eagle Station, and several others.
Also Hank Searls (originally pseud. Anthony Gray) - The Penetrators (Vulcans "attack" the USA...)
Richard Herman - Warbirds, Against All Enemies, Firebreak, and several others.
Mark Berent - Phantom Leader, Eagle Station, and several others.
Also Hank Searls (originally pseud. Anthony Gray) - The Penetrators (Vulcans "attack" the USA...)
Agree with you, Snappers. My copy of 'Flight of the Mew Gull' is falling to bits I've read it so often - and 'Sigh for a Merlin' is almost as bad! 'XF looked terrific at Old Warden the other day and flew beautifully. I was quite surprised at its ability to operate from a short field such as Old Warden and it seemed to have surprisingly good ground handling.
I want a Mew Gull for Christmas! But with a GNC250 GPSCom please!
I want a Mew Gull for Christmas! But with a GNC250 GPSCom please!
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Again not a novel but a damn good read about flying is "The Wrong Stuff" by John Moore. He was a US naval pilot in Korea who narrowly survived an horrendous deck landing accident, went on to be an experimental test pilot, and finished as a manager in the Apollo space flight program.
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BEagle,
I didn't realise that 'XF' was actually flying again!! I would adore to see it, does anyone know if it shall be on show anywhere else or is it based at OW? At least there is 'SOMETHING' from our aviation past still around and doing what it was meant to! I don't suppose the cockpit has been sorted (back in its original shape etc) I know when Alex refers to it, he mentions with sadness of it being 'hacked' up.
If you behave (don't know what that is supposed to mean
) I cannot get you a 'Mew' but might be able to send you a new copy (with extra pages!!) of the book and ask Alex to sign it. 'To BEagle, the Godfather of PPRuNe'.
Snappers
I didn't realise that 'XF' was actually flying again!! I would adore to see it, does anyone know if it shall be on show anywhere else or is it based at OW? At least there is 'SOMETHING' from our aviation past still around and doing what it was meant to! I don't suppose the cockpit has been sorted (back in its original shape etc) I know when Alex refers to it, he mentions with sadness of it being 'hacked' up.
If you behave (don't know what that is supposed to mean
) I cannot get you a 'Mew' but might be able to send you a new copy (with extra pages!!) of the book and ask Alex to sign it. 'To BEagle, the Godfather of PPRuNe'.Snappers
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Good factual,by a couple of your own
PHANTOM...Robert Prest
PABLO'S WAR... Pablo Mason
A good and unusual aviation fiction, perhaps out of print now.
FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX...NeviL Shute??.
The book is much better than the movie.
[ 31 July 2001: Message edited by: tony draper ]
PHANTOM...Robert Prest
PABLO'S WAR... Pablo Mason
A good and unusual aviation fiction, perhaps out of print now.
FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX...NeviL Shute??.
The book is much better than the movie.
[ 31 July 2001: Message edited by: tony draper ]
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Low and Slow, I'd like to endorse the opinions given by Scope Dope and Spruce Moose in recommending Derek Robinson. Not only is Piece of Cake a marvellous read, but he wrote a follow up about the Desert Air Force with some of the surviving characters from Piece of Cake. It's title is A Good Clean Fight. He's also written a couple of WW1 novels, although Goshawk Squadron is the only one I can remember. If you go to Amazon or even better http://www.thebookplace.com, and type in Derek Robinson in the search line you'll get all his currently available books.
Laddie Lucas has edited a couple of excellent books too, particularly Out Of The Blue, a collection of stories illustrating the role of luck in air warfare. Some of the stories are hilarious, some tragic and some simply amazing, but it's well worth a read. It's currently out of print, but The Book Place found me a copy without too much trouble. I would recommend it simply on the strength of the 5 or 6 stories in the series "The Cult of the Reciprocal" - all to do with pilots heading off in the wrong direction, resulting in, amongst other things, a Beaufighter dropping mines in Liverpool harbour instead of Brest. Damn funny.
Hope this helps, and in case anyone reading this can help, I'm trying to find a copy of a book called "Let A Soldier Die", a memoir (or possibly novel, I'm not sure) about helicopters in Vietnam, and allegedly better than Chickenhawk. Seems to be out of print, but if anyone can help, I'd be very grateful
Laddie Lucas has edited a couple of excellent books too, particularly Out Of The Blue, a collection of stories illustrating the role of luck in air warfare. Some of the stories are hilarious, some tragic and some simply amazing, but it's well worth a read. It's currently out of print, but The Book Place found me a copy without too much trouble. I would recommend it simply on the strength of the 5 or 6 stories in the series "The Cult of the Reciprocal" - all to do with pilots heading off in the wrong direction, resulting in, amongst other things, a Beaufighter dropping mines in Liverpool harbour instead of Brest. Damn funny.
Hope this helps, and in case anyone reading this can help, I'm trying to find a copy of a book called "Let A Soldier Die", a memoir (or possibly novel, I'm not sure) about helicopters in Vietnam, and allegedly better than Chickenhawk. Seems to be out of print, but if anyone can help, I'd be very grateful
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Overshoot,
http://www.abebooks.com has over 100 copies of "Let a Soldier Die." When you've read it, tell me more.
I'm staggered no one here has the read "THE HUNTERS" by John Slater. It was required reading for US Fighter Jocks in SE-ASIA.
OOOH LLOOOK, Ive done 100 posts. God I'm a sad git!!
[ 31 July 2001: Message edited by: Low and Slow ]
http://www.abebooks.com has over 100 copies of "Let a Soldier Die." When you've read it, tell me more.
I'm staggered no one here has the read "THE HUNTERS" by John Slater. It was required reading for US Fighter Jocks in SE-ASIA.
OOOH LLOOOK, Ive done 100 posts. God I'm a sad git!!
[ 31 July 2001: Message edited by: Low and Slow ]
Yes - 'XF was certainly in fine flying form the other week. Have a look at http://www.shuttleworth.org which may give some clue as to when the little raver will fly next!
Perhaps an extensively modified Europa XS with a much narrower single seat fuselage and increased tankage might be a good prospect for challenging Alex's record?
Perhaps an extensively modified Europa XS with a much narrower single seat fuselage and increased tankage might be a good prospect for challenging Alex's record?
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Have to agree with O-K. Derek Robinson's 'A Good Clean fight' is an absorbing read.
Also try 'Enemy Coast Ahead' by Guy Gibson (yes the Guy Gibson). It's an elaboration of his diaries which were put to print shortly after his death. His description of the Dambuster raid is riveting.
Also try 'Enemy Coast Ahead' by Guy Gibson (yes the Guy Gibson). It's an elaboration of his diaries which were put to print shortly after his death. His description of the Dambuster raid is riveting.
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Another non-fiction one - sorry! A month or so ago I was lucky enough to get hold of a 50-year old copy of "The Big Show" by Pierre Clostermann, a Frenchman who flew Spitfires and Tempests with the RAF. Although the title doesn't really grab you, it's probably the best WW2 aviation book I've read - very honest and moving, along with all the good exciting flying stuff. Grab it if you can.
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For God's Sake, do not even think of reading "Chinook!" by a David McMullen. It is without doubt the biggest pile of pants you will ever have the misfortune to cast your eyes over. The bloke couldn't write if his life depended on it; and it's a shame it isn't.
UVG
UVG