Aviation Books to read

[Fibrous Freddie]

I'm about half way through f-4 Phantom: A pilot's story, and it is very good so thanks forum. I wonder though is there a memoir from a Vietnam Phantom pilot that anyone can recommend?

These two are both pretty good:

The Phantom Vietnam War: An F-4 Pilot's Combat over Laos (David R. 'Buff' Honodel)

War for the Hell of It: A Fighter Pilot's View of Vietnam (Ed Cobleigh)

john trotti: phantom over vietnam.

[iainpeden]

Thud Ridge by a former F-105 pilot is good - his name escapes me.

[Matt Wardle]

I reconmend HAZARD SPECTRUM by Nathan Gray, Fleet Air Arm pilot who flew Harrier missions in Afghanistan then beame a test pilot on the F35 B and C models doing the first landind an ski launch on HMS QE2...

Just finished this and really enjoyed it.
Also ' An Officer, not a Gentleman' A good insight into the life of a female RAF pilot, great read too

[roughcutter]

Thud Ridge by a former F-105 pilot is good - his name escapes me.

(Col) Jack Broughton

[Bob DeBilda]

Just finished reading "Fast jets and other beasts" by Ian Hall - former Hunter, Phantom, Tornado and Jaguar pilot. An excellent read!
His other books include "Jaguar Boys" and "Tornado Boys".

[F3]

Dave Watkins new book Jet Provost Boys has rec'd a good review in FlyPast with which I can concur having just finished reading the copy I was fortunate to win in the RAF News competition. With Christmas coming up it's a must for the present list.

[NorvilleRogers]

Dave Watkins new book Jet Provost Boys has rec'd a good review in FlyPast with which I can concur having just finished reading the copy I was fortunate to win in the RAF News competition. With Christmas coming up it's a must for the present list - along with my forthcoming book on the Church Fenton airshows which I've gone to lengths to ensure will set the standard for this genre for years to come. As the initial print is just 100 copies, and bulk orders from bookshops are anticipated advance ordering is recommended to guarantee a copy. Message me for details if interested.

If you want to blow your own trumpet as to how good your book is maybe do it in the promote section rather than here.. see link.

viewforum.php?f=108

[F3]

Actually Norville I'd have thought that the Aviation Books to read forum just might be the most appropriate place to promote ..... an Aviation book!!!!

[Kodakman]

The Wrong Side of the Fence is a light-hearted aviation meander beginning in the ionic early 1950s, and tracking my interest in aviation up until the present day. My spotting days officially started in July 1957 when I began writing aircraft serials into a note book. This was followed some ten years later when taking up aviation photography. After brief stinks with aviation spotter magazines, including starting the US section for British Aviation Review, the next stage was to progress to the professional monthly aviation journals. This in turn lead to many official media visits, and often flying in military aircraft. Visiting five continents for aviation sometimes involved scrapes with officialdom, and hair-raising adventures, which would be almost impossible to undertake today. All of this is documented in an easy to read format. 130 plus pages of text, illustrated with over 150 images mostly taken at the appropriate time, the book is one of the first to be published detailing early days of aircraft spotting and the adventures that accompany. Among the chapters are flying in RAF Phantoms, Ventures to military establishments in Israel, Russia, South Africa, the Middle East, and being amongst those who pioneered the USA in the early days.
The self-published book is available direct from the author, so please contact on my email carlscroop@aol.com for more details. The book can be viewed at the Heathrow Aviation Fair on Sunday 19 November at Kempton Park on my trade stand. Bob Archer

[F3]

Nice one Bob. But be warned. There are those who take exception to aviation books being promoted here! How much is it by the way?

[raptor9]

Bob. Really enjoyed your talk at the model club a a month ago. Cheers from a fellow Comet passenger!!.

[Reaper02]

Exercises - Volume 1 Air Defender 2023 takes you to the largest deployment exercise of air forces in NATO's history held in Germany between June the 12th and 23rd 2023. Up to 10.000 exercise participants from 25 nations with 250 aircraft trained air operations in European airspace under the command of the German Air Force. This photobook takes you to the two main bases used during this largest exercise since the end of the cold war, being 'Fliegerhorst' Hohn and Schleswig Jagel. It shows you F-15 Eagles from the US Air National Guard taking off, F/A-18 Super Hornets and Growlers from the US Navy returning to base, RAF Typhoons joining the flights and new NATO partner Finland enhancing interoperability with its new allies with their F/A-18C Hornets at Hohn. But it also takes you to the approach area of Schleswig to witness the landing of the participating A-10 Warthogs and F-16C Vipers from the US, Turkish F-16's, Hungarian JAS-39 Gripens and ofcourse the Tornado bombers from the hometeam Germany. Besides the photo's this book also gives you lots of information about the exercise itself, participating units and specific airframes, quotes from participating pilots and commanders etc.

A5 size, 75 pages, full color, hard cover FOR ONLY €49,95 (excl. shipping costs)

Order this book now by sending me an e-mail at e.schimmel@live.nl

[GeorgeA]

Forgive me but this is an advert rather than a recommendation and surely should be elsewhere than this topic.

[F3]

Just a heads up to collectors of airshow books that my latest offering covering the Church Fenton shows is now available. Priced @ £20 (incl. delivery) it runs to 70 pages and contains 200+ pics incl. 40+ @ half page size. Also copies of previous books on the Mildenhall Air Fetes and Finningley are still available. Message me for ordering details if interested. Samples of the half page pics + cover artwork can be found in the Warbirds Replicas & Nostalgia section so you can see before deciding whether to buy.

[sneezy24]

Picked up Tornado by John Nickol at a charity book stall at Leigh Delamare services! £2 - bargain!

[Skywatcher]

Just got mid way through
A Pictorial History of the B-2A Spirit Stealth Bomber by Jim Goodall forward by Dr.John Cashen “ Father of the B-2”
I’m hooked on it and it’s lovely imagery of my favourite bomber
Got for Christmas this year by some very close friends.
Highly recommended read

[Blackcat1]

Just started reading Flying Freestyle. A good read so far especially the chapter where the author was flying the Hunter in Bahrain

[roughcutter]

Dreamland; The Secret History of Area 51 - Peter W. Merlin (Schiffer), Has just landed on my doorstep (Amazon - £48.42). Let's just say this is a very, very big intense tome of a book!

[Alf]

Dreamland; The Secret History of Area 51 - Peter W. Merlin (Schiffer), Has just landed on my doorstep (Amazon - £48.42). Let's just say this is a very, very big intense tome of a book!

Sounds good something that would interest me, but how much of it is true if it's all so secret? Let us know what you think when you have read it.

[roughcutter]

Dreamland; The Secret History of Area 51 - Peter W. Merlin (Schiffer), Has just landed on my doorstep (Amazon - £48.42). Let's just say this is a very, very big intense tome of a book!

Sounds good something that would interest me, but how much of it is true if it's all so secret? Let us know what you think when you have read it.

Apparently the author of this book - Peter Merlin has a lot of credibility in Aerospace journalism. His latest piece of work is the cumulation of thirty years research on Area 51 (his pet subject). He tells how it really is, warts & all and debunks all the myths & bull. Although I have yet to read this book, it's currently sat on the shelf for now, I was persuaded to take a punt, by the glowing reports of the many reviewers, amongst whom included none other than Chris Pocock (Dragon Lady). And if this is good enough for Chris, then it's good enough for me