Archived Book Reviews
An Aviation Fictional Trilogy
Author - Roger Pullen
Published by - Tiger Moth Publications
Review by SHHAS member
Dave Simmonds
Roger Pullen probably needs no introduction to many members who will know him as the owner of the beautiful Tiger Moth G-AHVV based for a time at Barton Ashes. Phil was the custodian of this machine for a while and some of us were fortunate enough to hitch a lift or two with him.
However, some may not know that Roger is ex RAF aircrew, flying many types including Avro Shackletons for Coastal Command. So his aviation experience is widespread from light aircraft to heavy multi-engined aircraft.
It is this wealth of hands on flying experience that becomes obvious as the reader is absorbed into a fictional aviation world of a group of people and their exciting “edge of seat” adventures through life. There is nothing fictional about the aircraft types though.
The first book “Cornucopia” spans the mid thirties period leading up to the second world war and includes the Short S23 C-class flying boat, a De Havilland Gypsy Moth and the ubiquitous DC-3. All include detailed actions within the cockpit which accurately detail the flying characteristics, good and bad of each type. It is this first series of adventures set in the Far East around Singapore and Sumatra that binds a motley group of people together to form the basis of all three books of the Trilogy.
The second book “Azzaro” is all about flying during the second world war and this same group encounter everyday adventures with sorties in Hudsons, Spitfire unarmed photo recce’ squadrons, Lysander adventures in France, Lancaster’s and so many more types all with flying descriptions that lure the reader right into the cockpit to feel the reactions of the flying controls it seems.
This books also covers in some detail the extraordinary work of the women pilots of the ATA, hopping from Magisters to Lancaster cockpits, with Spit’s and Typhoons en route, all wrapped up in very believable adventures.
The third book “Dividend” as largely about what this intrepid group of aviators do when WW2 hostilities ceased. Of course they like many did, formed their own airline company, initially using the converted bombers such as Lancastrians, Yorks then on to Constellations and the early jet airliners. This books continues with cockpit accuracy but also linked to the detailed business activities required to finance these large aircraft. Again all sorts of plots and counter plots unfold, together with adventures encountered from weather and mechanical failure mishaps.
The author’s imagination based on sound historical aviation experience has given us what he likes to describe as “books for men and women with spirit”.
Cornucopia ISBN 978-0-9562714-0-2
Azzaro ISBN 978-0-9562714-1-9
Dividend ISBN 978-0-9562714-2-6
All published by Tiger Moth Publications
Dave Simmonds
Test Pilot
My Extraordinary Life In Flight
Author - Tony Blackman
Published by - Grub Street
Review by SHHAS member Roger Hixon
Another excellent book from Tony Blackman. This one covering his complete flying career, and later aviation related jobs. From his first air experience flight in an Airspeed Oxford, to the mighty Vulcan, with so many other types between and beyond, both prop. and jet. The section on the Avro 748 is very interesting, recalling his time as a test pilot and salesman, and stories of his involvement with Howard Hughes. Later he describes his work in the aviation components industries, and with the CAA . Finally he gives some of his thoughts for the future.
A thoroughly enjoyable and interesting book, highly recommended.
Vulcan Test Pilot
My Experiences In The Cockpit Of A Cold War Icon
Author - Tony Blackman
Published by - Grub Street
Review by SHHAS member Roger Hixon
A very interesting and informative book, written by a man who should know the subject
better than anybody. Sometimes a bit technical, but not too much so, and only where necessary to explain a situation. When one reads this book, you realise the great technical leap forward this project was in its time, and the tremendous amount of effort required by everybody concerned to overcome the problems.
For anyone who has grown up with this aircraft, saw its demise and resurrection,(XH558) cannot fail to enjoy this story . Well done Tony
Phoenix Squadron
Author - Rowland White
Published by - Bantam Press
Review by SHHAS member Roger Hixon
PHOENIX SQUADRON is by the same author as Vulcan 607. It is a very well written story of the threat to British Honduras (now Belize) in 1972, by Guatemala, and the British response to that situation. For Naval Aviation, Buccaneer and Phantom buffs, this is a must read. There are lots of detailed information on the political as well as the military side of the build up and execution of Operation Cadnam. However it lacks the climax of Vulcan 607 because the show of force was enoughto deter the potential aggressor.
I bought my copy from Amazon for £9.99 inc P&P (Hardback)
Vulcan 607
Author - Rowland White
Published by - Bantam Press
Review by SHHAS member Malcolm Lee
VULCAN 607 is the gripping story of the men and machines involved in the first “Black Buck” bombing mission to Stanley airport, in the Falklands, during the 1982 conflict.
At the time of Argentina’s invasion of the Falklands the RAF Vulcan force was being wound down and the squadrons re-equipping with the Tornado. When the Vulcan crews were tasked to fly a mission to the Falklands, much work had to be done on the ageing aircraft to allow them to fly from their forward operating base on Ascension Island. The air to air refuelling system on the Vulcan had to be re-activated, after many years of non use, additional navigation equipment, removed from ex-BA VC 10’s, installed and an ECM pod installed on an under-wing pylon. In addition the crews had to undertake training in air to air refuelling and conventional bombing techniques, as none of the crews were current with these skills.
During the actual raid the extremely complex refuelling plan was constantly being revised and recalculated, by the Victor tanker crews, to overcome numerous technical problems and the unexpectedly high fuel usage of the Vulcan, which was constantly flying over its AUW limits for much of its journey south. To complete the first “Black Buck” mission – “They had needed one Nimrod, two Vulcans, thirteen Victors, nineteen separate in-flight refuellings, forty take-offs and landings, forty-two 1,000lb bombs, ninety aircrew and over 1.5 million pounds of aviation fuel” All this effort contributed to, at the time, the longest distance bombing mission, of nearly 8,000 miles, in history.
Rowland White has written an exciting and fitting tribute to the courage and professionalism of all those involved and when reading the final chapters, on the raid itself, you will not want to put this book down.
2007 will be the 25th anniversary year of the Falklands conflict and with the real possibility of seeing a Vulcan in the air again VULCAN 607 is a timely and highly recommended read.
