Lightning Boys 2: True Tales from Pilots and Engineers of the RAFs Iconic Supersonic Fighter

(Paperback)

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Description

The sequel to the bestselling The Lightning Boys, Lightning Boys 2, now available in paperback for the first time, is a must-have companion and continues the theme of tales from pilots and other crew connected with this iconic aircraft, giving a rare insight into post-war fighter operations. In twenty separate stories to intrigue, amaze and amuse, the book has also been compiled and written by Richard Pike. The reader is taken to situations as diverse as intercepting sixty plus enemy aircraft, a desperate struggle in a cockpit flooded by tropical downpours, the difficulties of being affected by sudden and painful toothache at high altitude, and the curious encounter with an unidentified flying object. Yet another chapter paints a dramatic reconstruction of a scene in Germany when a Lightning, having entered an inadvertent, out-of-control spin, began an earthwards plunge towards a town centre. AUTHOR: Richard Pike became a flight cadet in 1961, at the RAF College, Cranwell where, on graduation, he was awarded the Dickson Trophy and Michael Hill memorial prize for flying. In the early stages of his forty-year flying career he flew the English Electric Lightning before converting to the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom. On leaving the Royal Air Force he became a civilian helicopter pilot. His duties took him to a wide variety of destinations at home and overseas including the Falkland Islands not long after the end of the Falklands War. His last assignment was in Kosovo helping to distribute emergency humanitarian aid on behalf of the United Nations World Food Programme. He and his wife live in Aberdeenshire. 16-page photo sections

Reviews

`I am sure that I will not be alone in hoping that a third book will be added to the collection in the near future.' Pilot magazine; `A superb sequel to Pike's bestseller. Lightning Boys 2 is another factual and fascinating, humorous and inspiring account of his own and other pilots' experiences of the iconic aircraft. This new book will not only appeal to readers from that time, but inspire new generations to consider the RAF as a career.' The Aberdeen Press & Journal; `Lavishly illustrated throughout in colour and black and white, containing annexes of selected biographies and a comprehensive index, this book must not only appeal to Lightning buffs but to any reader with an interest in military aviation. Highly recommended.' Air Mail

Author Bio

Richard Pike became a flight cadet in 1961, at the RAF College, Cranwell where, on graduation, he was awarded the Dickson Trophy and Michael Hill memorial prize for flying. In the early stages of his forty-year flying career he flew the English Electric Lightning before converting to the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom. On leaving the Royal Air Force he became a civilian helicopter pilot. His duties took him to a wide variety of destinations at home and overseas including the Falkland Islands not long after the end of the Falklands War. His last assignment was in Kosovo helping to distribute emergency humanitarian aid on behalf of the United Nations World Food Programme. He and his wife live in Aberdeenshire.