Aviation Books to read

[jem60]

Went to the library today, and picked up a book 'The Lightning Boys'. Published only last year, it has 22 different chapters, each written by a Lightning driver, each one giving their experiences of flying the thing. Superb. Can't put it down, very much in the mould of Robert Prest's F.4 Phantom pilot. This book is compiled by Richard Pike, and one of the chapters deals with an attempt to intercept a RB57H. This particular flight became the unofficial height record for a Lightning. Anyone any ideas what it achieved?? I will reveal it after a few guesses, if anyone is interested.

[garyscott]

War in a Stringbag by Charles Lamb. Couldnt put it down. (Much like the authors whiskey on some missions!)
http://books.google.co.uk/books/about/W ... BSHAAACAAJ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[hydealfred]

Went to the library today, and picked up a book 'The Lightning Boys'. Published only last year, it has 22 different chapters, each written by a Lightning driver, each one giving their experiences of flying the thing. Superb. Can't put it down, very much in the mould of Robert Prest's F.4 Phantom pilot. This book is compiled by Richard Pike, and one of the chapters deals with an attempt to intercept a RB57H. This particular flight became the unofficial height record for a Lightning. Anyone any ideas what it achieved?? I will reveal it after a few guesses, if anyone is interested.

Somewhere around 85,000 to 87,000 feet ?

[hydealfred]

I've been reading Jack Currie's trilogy of books, Wings Over Georgia, Lancaster Target, Mosquito Victory, about his time learning fly and flying bombers during the war. Very enjoyable books that really bring to life the everyday lives of pilots and crew during Bomber Commands Campaign.

[garyscott]

Went to the library today, and picked up a book 'The Lightning Boys'. Published only last year, it has 22 different chapters, each written by a Lightning driver, each one giving their experiences of flying the thing. Superb. Can't put it down, very much in the mould of Robert Prest's F.4 Phantom pilot. This book is compiled by Richard Pike, and one of the chapters deals with an attempt to intercept a RB57H. This particular flight became the unofficial height record for a Lightning. Anyone any ideas what it achieved?? I will reveal it after a few guesses, if anyone is interested.

I know of a pilot who managed 87300 whilst in Saudi,(Wng Cdr Brian Carrol) but the figure 91500 springs to mind in a ballistic trajectory, i think that was a lightning?

[jem60]

Hydealfred and Gary. Yep, you're both right. 87,500 it was.

[daz greenwood]

Currently reading Mr Damien Burke's TSR2 : Britain's Lost Bomber.

[TankBuster]

I'm currently reading an old book which was published in 1953. The book is called ' I Flew For The Fuhrer' by Heinz Knoke.
It is the autobiography of Heinz Knocke who was one of the outstanding German pilots of WWII.

This is a first hand record from the other side and it really is a fascinating read. If you get a chance to read a copy then I would highly recommend it!


TankBuster

[kodak]

Area 51 by Annie Jacobson is a great read with lots of material on the U2 and SR71.Flight of the intruder is a fun read by Stephen counts (purely fiction ).But my favourite is Sepecat Jaguaur by Martin Bowman a great read with lots of. Chapters on a chaps service life as a jag pilot. Well worth a read... Kodak

[Airplane nerd]

Apache by Ed Macy
Hellfire by Ed Macy

Are both great books and give a real insite from a Pilot/WSO perspective on Apache operations and Training

[MarkB]

I've just finished reading Scram by Harry Benson, quite impressed though I think the truth may have been stretched in places. I wrote a review of it which you can find here http://greggslibrary.blogspot.co.uk/201 ... l?spref=fb" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mark

[Flying Warden]

Is Hellfire as good as Apache?

[Airplane nerd]

Yup if not beter

[AndrewBarclay]

I'm not sure if this particular book has already been mentioned but as its a worthwhile cause just click on the below link, buy it and you will be contributing to Help For Heroes and other Military Charities.

http://halldale.com/shop/out-blue" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[hydealfred]

A book with an aviation connection - Camp Z - Details the flight of Rudolf Hess and his subsequent internment by the British - gives a fascinating insight into a subject I for one didn't know much about.

[AndrewBarclay]

I'm not sure if this particular book has already been mentioned but as its a worthwhile cause just click on the below link, buy it and you will be contributing to Help For Heroes and other Military Charities.

http://halldale.com/shop/out-blue" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here are some of the stories "A bridge to far" this relates to the Pilot who buzzed Parliament and flew under Tower Bridge.

Tiger's Leap at RAF Tengar only Lightnings were believed to be capable of doing this, but the pilot of a Victor
proved that to be incorrect.

If these description whet your appetites there are another 88 stories to read. Reasonably priced at £7.99p

[AndrewBarclay]

On the 28th, August, 1947, Roland Prosper Beaumont (Bee) took to the skies over Warton in a borrowed Gloster Meteor. it seems appropriate to me to list all the books that Bee has written. see below link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_Beamont#Books" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[StuBie]

Some E-books from NASA that you may find interesting (I have ):

NASA's Contributions to Aeronautics, Volume 1 : http://www.nasa.gov/connect/ebooks/aero ... etail.html

NASA's Contributions to Aeronautics, Volume 2 : http://www.nasa.gov/connect/ebooks/aero ... etail.html

Other NASA Aeronautics titles: http://www.nasa.gov/connect/ebooks/aero ... ive_1.html

[Flyingmonster]

Well I've picked up a few bargins this week!!

- Skystrike by Peter G Cooksley
- Battle Order 204 - Christobel Mattingley
- I Sank the Bismark
- One Day in a Long Day - Jeffery Ethell and Alfred Price

And Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand - which I'm reading first! Can't put it down! Even took it to DUX yesterday in case I had a chance to read a page or 2!

[jayastout]

I recently finished writing, Fighter Group: The 352nd "Blue-Nosed Bastards" in World War II. Great book--couldn't put it down.