A biography of the heroic Bomber Command pilot who made his mark flying de Havilland Mosquitoes on air raids into Nazi Germany during World War II.When Air Vice Marshal Don Bennett formed the Pathfinder squadrons in 1942, the majority of the chosen pilots were highly experienced aircrew. Some, however, were exceptions and found themselves flying with this elite band with no previous combat experience. "Bertie" Boulter was one such pilot.After being accepted f...

In this military memoir, a veteran recounts his time as a navigator and plotter with the Royal Air Force tanker fleet during the Cold War.This book gives a rare insight into the life inside the tanker squadrons of the Royal Air Force, viewed through the eyes of Tony Golds, one of the RAF tanker fleets longest serving Navigator / Plotters. During his service career which spanned four decades, he flew in dozens of aeroplanes, for literally thousands of hours and cover...

"A good read both to aviators in general and to the Lightning fraternity in particular" ( Royal Air Force Historical Society).According to a recent international study, the Lightning is the fifth most popular military aircraft of all time. With over twenty individual stories from former Lightning pilots, this book relates the highs and lows, the dramas and the demands of those who operated this iconic aircraft until its sharp end.Tales include the ...

The historian and author of The Sowreys details the history of the British fighter plane and what life was like for its crews flying missions around the world.Twenty-four aircrew who flew the iconic aircraft with the Fleet Air Arm, the Royal Air Force, and the South African Air Force (SAAF) relate their experiences and affection for the Blackburn Buccaneer. Buccaneer Boys traces the history of the aircraft and the tasks it fulfilled. It also explor...

The renowned WWII RAF fighter pilot who went on to set an air speed record tells his story—now with an updated chapter and new photos.Joining the RAF at the beginning of the war, young Neville Duke became a fighter pilot with the crack 92 Squadron at RAF Biggin Hill in 1941. That spring and summer, he survived the air battles over Northern France with the Biggin Hill Wing, often flying as wingman to the legendary Adolph "Sailor" Malan, Fighter Command's top-scoring...

The name of Lettice Curtis is well known in the aviation world. Her career as an aviator is both remarkable and unique, yet until now it has never been put into print. Inspired by requests from many who have known her, Lettice has finally put pen to paper and opened her photo album to tell her amazing story from school days to retirement.

This book tells the story of a small group of Australian sailors who served with distinction in a very difficult and unpopular war. They were the hardest-fought Australian aviation unit to serve in the Vietnam War and suffered a much higher casualty rate than the RAAF or Australian Army aviation units. The sheer intensity and protracted nature of their combat service is not understood or recognised by the Australian community or even by the Australian Defence Force.Every person who...

The first Royal Navy pilot to fly transatlantic non-stop (in a Buccaneer) describes his thirty-five-year career in the Fleet Air Arm and as an Empire Test Pilot.The spectacle of Alan Cobham's Flying Circus and the Fleet at anchor in Weymouth inspired the author's lifelong passion for aeroplanes, flying and the Royal Navy. World War Two provided the opportunity to fulfil his ambition and at eighteen he volunteered for the Fleet Air Arm as a pilot. Training in Canada ...

Following his first three successful books, describing his long career as a military pilot, Mike Brooke completes the story with more tales of test flying during the 1980s and '90s. During this period his career changed to see him take control of flying at Farnborough and then at Boscombe Down, as well as off-the-cuff delivery missions to Saudi Arabia, 'bombing' in the name of science in the Arctic and the chance to fulfil a long-standing dream and fly the vintage SE.5a. T...

Spitfire Mk Is and IIs served only briefly in the frontline with the RAF, but their pilots were responsible for achieving impressive scores against the Luftwaffe during 1940/41.This volume details the RAF's first aces of World War 2 who helped stem the German tide during Britain's struggle for survival in the bitter years between 1939 and 1941. Early-mark Spitfires were notorious for their light armament, overheating engines and short range, but during the dogfight...

A compelling insider's view of the modern RAAF.AIR FORCE tells the action-packed, inside story of the modern Royal Australian Air Force, from East timor and the Bali bombings to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Award-winning journalist and best-selling author Ian McPhedran brings us gripping personal accounts of fighter pilots' bombing raids over Iraq, spy planes over Afghanistan, the operational nerve centre of the Middle East war and the delivery of humanitarian aid in world trou...

THE WORLD'S GREATEST TEST PILOT TELLS HIS STORY'When you read through his life story, it makes James Bond seem like a bit of a slacker'Kirsty Young, Desert Island Discs'The greatest test pilot who ever lived. A true inspiration'Tim Peake, astronaut and former regular British Army Air Corps officer'The stories beggar belief'Guardian'Fascinating...