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Re: Book Recommendation

Posted: 19 Dec 2009, 16:31
by Tomliner
Just finished reading 'Joint Force Harrier' by Commander Ade Orchard RN (ISBN 978-0-141-03571-0).It's about a detachment to Afghanistan of 800 NAS in 2006.This is a well written,highly readable account of their experiences on a 4 month tour flying the Harrier GR7.
In an earlier posting,someone also mentioned 'Spitfire Women' by Giles Whittell.Another brilliant book.ATB EricT :xsmile:

Re: Book Recommendation

Posted: 20 Dec 2009, 11:42
by simondix
I have now read Ernest Ganns' " A Hostage to Fortune." I enjoyed it, but not as much as " Fate is the Hunter". Probably because it does not concentrate on the flying aspect. It tended in my opinion to drift off towards the end into a bit of a ramble. However still a good read. If you believe in Ying and Yang it will confirm your beliefs. I had to import it from the states so if anybody wants details of ISBN PM me.

Re: Book Recommendation

Posted: 11 Mar 2010, 15:21
by Chris_C
Just finished "Fly with the Stars: The Rise and Controversial Fall of a Long-Haul Trailblazer" by Susan and Ian Ottaway. It's the story of British South American Airways and makes for an interesting if at times frustrating read.

http://www.flywiththestars.co.uk/

Re: Book Recommendation

Posted: 11 Mar 2010, 19:03
by Jon.M
Hi Chris,

I've been considering buying this.

When you say that it's an "at times frustrating read" do you mean that about the story of BSAA or about the way the book is written?

Jon

Re: Book Recommendation

Posted: 12 Mar 2010, 20:39
by Chris_C
Hi Jon
I found it very well written and quite readable, the author's passion for the subject is obvious and while there is significant bias, overall most of it rings true if you know what I mean. The photo's are interesting and leave one wanting more but I suppose the subject matter makes them fairly rare. Perhaps additional appendicies with route information , proving flight reports or more operational details would have been nice.

Where the frustration came in was several incidents that cried out for an investigative follow up but none is forthcoming in the text and the reader is left unsure if any were conducted after the actual event. For example, on an early Tudor proving flight, the aircraft ran into fuel problems over the North Atlantic although it made Gander safely. Sabotage is hinted as a possible cause and one gets the impression AVM Bennett saw sabotage everywhere and everytime something went wrong. However nowhere do the authors develop this theory, no suspects are hinted at, no potential agency identified that might have motive, means or opportunity to carry out mass-murder. (Just because they don't like BSAA?)

One is left with the distinct feeling that if the BSAA Board had used more bureaucratic savvy dealing with the Ministry of Civil Aviation they might have had an easier go of things.

It's almost like some unmentionable juicy bits were edited out during the writing process so the reader comes away having to conjour speculation as to why things happened out of thin air.

With all that, it's a keeper and if interested in BSAA or just post WW2 airline operations there are many good things here. I ordered mine from the State's and it came from a UK bookseller and I consider worth the $37.00 CAD it cost.

Chris

Re: Book Recommendation

Posted: 13 Mar 2010, 09:44
by Jon.M
Thanks for the clarification Chris.

In that case it stays on my wanted list. :)

Jon

Re: Book Recommendation

Posted: 16 Mar 2010, 18:01
by simondix
Just read 'North Star Over My Shoulder' by Bob Buck. Deals with his career in TWA from DC2 to 747. Quite good and an easy read.

Re: Book Recommendation

Posted: 25 Mar 2010, 17:54
by mayagrafix
try before u buy:

Bill Gunston - Nimrod: The Centenarian Aircraft
Spellmount | 2009 | ISBN: 0752452703 | 160 pages | PDF | 28.6 MB

For the first time and with previously unpublished data, this book traces the complete history of the world’s first jet airliner, and how this aircraft was developed into a succession of military aircraft named Nimrod. One chapter contains much information on a remarkable Nimrod version that was unfortunately abandoned, while another deals with a version of the Nimrod that was previously secret, and contains information never previously published in a book. A particular feature of this title is that each aircraft is illustrated by a detailed cutaway drawing.
http://rapidshare.com/files/368045320/N ... rcraft.rar

and here is another one about the buccaneer


Hawker Siddeley/Blackburn Buccaneer (Warpaint Series No.2)
Hall Park Books | 2000 | ISBN: none | 32 Pages | PDF | 28 MB


A 24-page monograph intended for modellers, including a good history, lots of pictures spanning the Bucc's service life, 1/72 scale plans, lots of colour side views. Particularly worth getting if you're building a model.
http://rapidshare.com/files/367864475/4122.zip

Re: Book Recommendation

Posted: 29 Mar 2010, 10:59
by Prop Jockey
Hi All,

You might be interested in book from the skipper of BA038 - available here

Cheers

Rich

Re: Book Recommendation

Posted: 29 Mar 2010, 12:41
by petermcleland
This might be of interest to some:-

http://www.melrosebooks.com/SGbookDetails.php?id=354