Hey everyone - I wanted to say hello since i’m new here - and I also wanted to say that I just read the most interesting book on flight history - I heartily recommend it!
The Unwelcome Assistant: Edward C. Huffaker and the birth of Aviation. It’s groundbreaking new material that was lost in an old barn for decades. I got an advanced copy, but I think it should be out in time for Christmas - definately keep it in mind for presents if you know other people who love airplanes!
Welcome to the forum! Hope you enjoy the myrth and wisdom of our little gathering of minds.
Thanks for the advice about the book. I’ll be sure to keep a look out for it. And yes, the Hornets are pretty sweet, but nothing compared to the Tomcat.
Hello and welcome! As Demono has hinted, you’re sure to find this to be an enlightening, entertaining, and friendly forum (but definitely not normal).
I’ll keep your book suggestion in mind.
Here’s a title that I really liked: “The Hunters” by James Salter. It’s about flying F-86’s in Korea, but it’s more than about flying. It really touched my soul, and the moment I finished it, I sat and thought for a long while.
F-18’s are the best!
Welcome aboard!
Thought i would throw in my 2 cents as i just picked up a copy of an old favorite at the used bookstore today.
check out Ernest K. Gann’s “Fate Is The Hunter”.
great stuff. my best friend’s dad (who was a B-17 pilot in WWII) turned me on to Gann some years ago. this is one of his best.
can you post the author for “Unwelcome Assistant” ?
For my money I like “Cuckoo over Vienna” by Claude Porter
B24 Pilot and crew shot down after a Polesti raid in 1944. They are “rescued” by partisans and then betrayed.
Fascinating read and it is all true!
F14 was good when it had the Phoenix. . .Super Hornet is the way to go.
On the subject of books, may I recommend “To Fly and To Fight
memoirs of a triple ace” by Clarence “Bud” Anderson
loaded with some pretty good pics of “Old Crow” as well as other aircraft. I did a Tamiya mustang D in Brit colors as described in the book, it won me a second prize ribbon in a local show.[8D]
Hey flygirltn,
Welcome to the forum. Not only will you learn a lot from these guys and gals but you’ll also have fun[:p][:p][:p][;)]
Another great read is a book called “Target of Opportunity” Tales & Contrails of The Second World War by LtCol R.A “Dick” Hewitt.
He flew w/ the 78thFG, 82ndFS and has over 400 combat hrs,having flown 144 missions.
Not only is he a good friend of the family but a awesome person over all.
So again welcome to the show and looking forward to hearing from you.
Flaps up, Mike
Not exactly a book on flight per say, but a truly enjoyable read is John Steakley’s “Armour.” It really gets inside the psychology of a soldier during a war set in the future.
So many recommendations, I may have to start a new library!
Thanks for the recommendation… Hornets may be nice but I do prefer Tomcats and Flankers!!! Welcome to this wonderful place!! The guys here are fantastic and very helpful!! Hope you enjoy your stay… Feel free to ask help!! Keep those questions coming… Just like me![:D][:D]
I’ll have to agree(again?)with WildWilliam that Ernie Gann’s "Fate is the Hunter"is THE best book ever written about flying.I’ve read it 4 or 5 times over the years and will read it again. As an example of his writing there was an instance where Ernie had to run his engines on a C47 at full power for several minutes which caused his flight engineer concern on harm done asked Ernie what he should write in the engine logs and Ernie responded"how about I love you?"Great book.
Teise
Not sure if you can get this one over in the States, but yesterday I finished reading an autobiography and it feels like an old friend has left forever.
First Light, by Geoffrey Wellum. Published in the UK by Penguin, ISBN 0-141-00814-8
From schoolboy to Fighter pilot in a matter of months. In 1939 He was posted to 92 squadron and was soon in the thick of the Battle of Britain.
The whole book is so open, his doubts, loves, thoughts on others, life, God, & human failings that it makes it so easy to be there in the cockpit with him.
This is one you will not want to put down, and, as I say, you will be sorry when you finish it.
Jets are okay, but there’s nothing like Supermarines finest!
The absolute best WW-II air combat book that I have EVER read (and I have approx. 25 books on the B-29 alone) is Over and Under by Col. John Misterly. It is the most accurate, exciting, and historical account to date in my opinion! You can find out more by visiting www.20af-b29.us
Hello!! Welcome to the forum. How long have you been modeling? What are you currently working on?
As far as books go, anything by Coonts, or Dale Brown, is a good read. I actually have a signed copy of “To Fly and To Fight” by Bud Anderson. It’s an EXCELLENT read!! I started a thread in this forum a few months back asking what everyone’s favorite military reads are. You might want to go back through the past posts to read that one, and maybe pick up some ideas for your next read. Good luck to you in your modeling endeavors!
Wings and Warriors by Donald Engen. Follows his career from WWII NAVCAD at 18 to Director of Air And Space Museum after retiring as 3 star Admiral. Flew almost anything and everything from 1944 to 1960’s, Captain of USS America. Unfortunately died in glider accident at age 76. Complete history of naval aviation in that era by someone who flew, not an arm chair historian.
Hello Flygirltn!
Welcome to the forum.
Since we are on the subject of books, if you pick up a copy of ‘Terror in the Starboard Seat’ I guarantee you won’t put it down. It is an autobiography of a Mossie navigator.
In a similar vein and just as good a read is ‘A Thousand Shall Fall’ by Murray Peden. He was a Stirling pilot, later moved over to pathfinder and ECM Fortresses in the RAF.
Just finished Flyboys and found it a little depressing. Some good info in there about how the US and Japan’s relations were from Perry up to WW2 though. Not really much in there as far as first hand accounts of air missions.
I really enjoyed a book called The Lucky Bastards Club. Also recommend The Wild Blue.