Robert Prest
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Robert Prest
Hello,
I just read Robert Prest's "F4 Phantom: A Pilot's Story" and never before has an aviation book captured my complete imagination and wonder like this book.
I read in these forums that Mr. Prest is flying in commercial aviation now after a successful career in the RAF.
I would like to see if there is any way to correspond with Mr. Prest and relay my great admiration for his book.
Thanks very much
I just read Robert Prest's "F4 Phantom: A Pilot's Story" and never before has an aviation book captured my complete imagination and wonder like this book.
I read in these forums that Mr. Prest is flying in commercial aviation now after a successful career in the RAF.
I would like to see if there is any way to correspond with Mr. Prest and relay my great admiration for his book.
Thanks very much
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Been on mine too. Can't recall if I ever checked this, but I do recall being told by my nav (at the time) that the book didn't go down well with the directional consultants' union as they never got a mention. Hard to operate the F4 without the guy in the back seat. 
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I'll never forget a combat sortie on the OCU with Bob. I'd had a few too many beers the night before with a few of my, soon to be, Squadron mates. Bob made sure I knew the consequences of my actions! I learned about flying from that!
Great book and I have it on my bookshelf. Not sure I'd have realised that an F4 had a navigator though!
Great book and I have it on my bookshelf. Not sure I'd have realised that an F4 had a navigator though!
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Yeah, yeah! I guess the words "Pilot's Story" gives us a clue. Just reprting what my colleagues at the time were thinking.
No argument with a good story or a bloody good book.
No argument with a good story or a bloody good book.
Been on mine too. Can't recall if I ever checked this, but I do recall being told by my nav (at the time) that the book didn't go down well with the directional consultants' union as they never got a mention. Hard to operate the F4 without the guy in the back seat
Think of the Sea Vixen observers sitting in the "coal hole" on carrier ops. At least you could see out in the F4.
They all deserve the applause.
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Yes, Mate. That was what I was saying. Or at least trying to. My point was that the book doesn't mention his nav at all, but the F4 required/requires one. I know, I was there. Always took one with me! 
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A blast from the past....
I read this book back in 1979 when it was first published. I was a teenager with little knowledge of what being an RAF pilot was all about. It took me a few days to finish the book while at RAF Wildenrath on holiday as a 14yr old. I was hooked. Back in the UK the local RAF Careers office told me to come back when I was 16...... 3 attempts to join after that and I finally joined. Twenty five years later I leave the RAF with fantastic memories and a debt of gratitude to Robert Prest for capturing my imagination with his fantastic book.
In those 25 years I took many a 'running **** at a rolling doughnut' in dark and lonely skies. Brilliant book.
Watching a Phantom pair taking off in full burner at dusk and a dose of Simon and Garfunkel while reading the book did help a bit.
Thanks
I read this book back in 1979 when it was first published. I was a teenager with little knowledge of what being an RAF pilot was all about. It took me a few days to finish the book while at RAF Wildenrath on holiday as a 14yr old. I was hooked. Back in the UK the local RAF Careers office told me to come back when I was 16...... 3 attempts to join after that and I finally joined. Twenty five years later I leave the RAF with fantastic memories and a debt of gratitude to Robert Prest for capturing my imagination with his fantastic book.
In those 25 years I took many a 'running **** at a rolling doughnut' in dark and lonely skies. Brilliant book.
Watching a Phantom pair taking off in full burner at dusk and a dose of Simon and Garfunkel while reading the book did help a bit.
Thanks
IIRC he mentions Bill a number of times. Bill would be his nav, Bill Sample. They were known as the Prest and Sample Laugh In (Rowan and Martin?) in the tower at Leuchars. I believe Bill was killed in a Jetstream at Prestwick in the eighties. I first met Bob when he was a student at Valley, nice guy, he talked to Air Trafficers!!
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I have been in touch with Bob and told him about this thread. He tells me he is currently flying 777s for Qatar Airways. Previously he was flying freight in the Far East