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Review
Richard Pike relates the highs and lows, the dramas and the demands of those who operated this iconic aircraft at the sharp end. --Flypast Magazine
Richard Pike is to be congratulated on this fascinating compilation of true tales. (Four out of Five Stars). --Aeroplane
A superb selection of over 20 first hand Lightning stories, this is bound to be eagerly snapped up by fans of English Electric's astounding fighter. --Flypast Magazine
An enlightening canter around the crew room. I recommend it as a good read both to aviators in general and to the Lightning fraternity in particular. --Royal Air Force Historical Society
Richard Pike is to be congratulated on this fascinating compilation of true tales. (Four out of Five Stars). --Aeroplane
A superb selection of over 20 first hand Lightning stories, this is bound to be eagerly snapped up by fans of English Electric's astounding fighter. --Flypast Magazine
An enlightening canter around the crew room. I recommend it as a good read both to aviators in general and to the Lightning fraternity in particular. --Royal Air Force Historical Society
Product Description
According to a recent international study, the Lightning is the fifth most popular military aircraft of all time. It has many thousands of devotees who are a ready market for this timely and entertaining book which, with over twenty individual stories from former Lightning pilots, relates the highs and lows, the dramas and the demands of those who operated this iconic aircraft from the sharp end. Tales include the recollections of an aerobatic display pilot, an implausible yet true account of telepathic communication, and an extraordinary episode when a Lightning pilot on an exchange programme with the French Air Force became embroiled in a mid-air collision. An unverified yet probably genuine world record is revealed in one of the chapters. In addition to the original photographs that accompany the text, the renowned aviation artist Chris Stone (himself a former Lightning pilot) has provided a unique sketch as well as copies of some of his paintings. The style, scope and pace of the writing in this book will appeal to the general reader as well as to the enthusiast.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The Lightning Boys by Richard Pike
Each chapter in this book is written by a past pilot of the Lightning fighter and reflects some of their experiences during that time. It is written in language that even I as a layman can understand and enjoy. Each event (chapter) gives the reader an insight into the trials and pleasures of flying this aircraft and reflects the love of both the aircraft and flying that these pilots have.
Once you have picked up this book it is very difficult to put it down again.
Richard Pike has done an excellent job in encouraging the writers and compiling their stories into one volume. For those who enjoy reading actual stories of flying over the years written by the actual pilots to whom the events took place this is a book for you.
Each chapter in this book is written by a past pilot of the Lightning fighter and reflects some of their experiences during that time. It is written in language that even I as a layman can understand and enjoy. Each event (chapter) gives the reader an insight into the trials and pleasures of flying this aircraft and reflects the love of both the aircraft and flying that these pilots have.
Once you have picked up this book it is very difficult to put it down again.
Richard Pike has done an excellent job in encouraging the writers and compiling their stories into one volume. For those who enjoy reading actual stories of flying over the years written by the actual pilots to whom the events took place this is a book for you.
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
During the darkest days of 1940, when beleaguered Britain was expecting a German invasion at any time and the fate of the free world hung in the balance, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was moved to utter some of the most resounding words of the 20th century: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few..." He was referring to the heroic efforts of the RAF pilots in their Spitfires and Hurricanes who were at the time fighting the Battle of Britain, the pivotal air battle with the German Luftwaffe. With the Battle of Britain won a few months later and German invasion plans postponed, the Allied airmen of the battle ultimately became known as "The Few".
Fast-forward a decade and a half, when the baton was passed to a new generation of RAF fighter pilots: The Lightning Boys, who are the subject of this marvelous book edited by Richard Pike (himself a former RAF Lightning pilot). In 22 engrossing chapters (each written by a former "Lightning Boy"), we are drawn back to the 1960s and 1970s of the Cold War era, when supersonic English Electric Lightning fighter aircraft patrolled the skies over Britain and Europe, ever vigilant for unwarranted incursions by "the other side".
Although not an aviator myself, I was nonetheless intrigued by the wide range of personal experiences recounted by each of the Lightning Boys...tales of bravado, close shaves, humour, recklessness, humility, sense of duty, and finally awe at the incredible power of the Lightning. From the challenges of night flying, high-altitude refueling, disorientation at supersonic speeds, performing high-speed precision aerobatics, or bailing out at 10,000 feet, this book will make you believe that you are actually right there in the cockpit, making split-second decisions as G-forces hurl you back in your cramped fighter pilot's seat...
And when you suddenly realize that these truly were mere "boys" (many in their very early 20s) flying supersonic Lightnings in the honoured tradition of their WWII RAF predecessors, then each of these stories will take on a special significance. I highly recommend this engrossing book to anyone wanting to share the exploits of "the Few"--the Lightning Boys who were among the pioneers of supersonic jet fighter aviation.
Fast-forward a decade and a half, when the baton was passed to a new generation of RAF fighter pilots: The Lightning Boys, who are the subject of this marvelous book edited by Richard Pike (himself a former RAF Lightning pilot). In 22 engrossing chapters (each written by a former "Lightning Boy"), we are drawn back to the 1960s and 1970s of the Cold War era, when supersonic English Electric Lightning fighter aircraft patrolled the skies over Britain and Europe, ever vigilant for unwarranted incursions by "the other side".
Although not an aviator myself, I was nonetheless intrigued by the wide range of personal experiences recounted by each of the Lightning Boys...tales of bravado, close shaves, humour, recklessness, humility, sense of duty, and finally awe at the incredible power of the Lightning. From the challenges of night flying, high-altitude refueling, disorientation at supersonic speeds, performing high-speed precision aerobatics, or bailing out at 10,000 feet, this book will make you believe that you are actually right there in the cockpit, making split-second decisions as G-forces hurl you back in your cramped fighter pilot's seat...
And when you suddenly realize that these truly were mere "boys" (many in their very early 20s) flying supersonic Lightnings in the honoured tradition of their WWII RAF predecessors, then each of these stories will take on a special significance. I highly recommend this engrossing book to anyone wanting to share the exploits of "the Few"--the Lightning Boys who were among the pioneers of supersonic jet fighter aviation.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I bought this book for my father, who is a lightning pilot. He loves it as it shows lightning flying from an often unpublicised perspective. While I wouldn't say I'm a flying enthusiast, I found this book completely compelling. Each short story gives a glimpse into an unusual event that has happened to the pilot, often near death, certainly life changing. While these stories by their nature are exceptional, I loved the atmosphere created throughout the book, giving me an insight into my father's working life as a pilot and the bravery shown by these men and women. I highly recommend this read to everyone!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Lightning boys
A load of short anecdotes laced together. Some truer than others and all lacking in drama or detail "I was coming in with a fueling probe hanging off the side and landed safely. Read more
Published 8 days ago by ROB
A Lightning Read
A very readable collection of first-hand accounts concerning Lightning operations, covering most of the type's 28-year service career. Read more
Published 16 days ago by Jonathan Mayor
Lightning Boys
An enjoyable read which makes be realise who good these top fighter pilots are when something untoward occurs. Also how unreliable out top, front line fighters were.
Published 1 month ago by Rj Harris
Riveting
I bought this book for my partner as a birthday present. He has been going to see the Lightning planes in Bruntingthorpe for years and I thought it would be the perfect pressie for... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Rach
A Jolly Good Read
For those who are interested in aircraft, especially the military aircraft of the RAF, there are many books available especially technical, about the physical hardware, but Richard... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. P. Holt
Lightning Boys
Bought this book for my partner who loved it. Very detailed good stories. A great book to buy any plane enthusiast
Published 2 months ago by Caz
RAF Pilots Tales (Lightning)
This is a great book whereby ex Lightning Pilots give a short summary of one or two of their own interesting experiences. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Terry Savage
Great Fun
As a child in the sixties I lived near a Lightning station and was fascinated by military aviation. This book brought back memories and was hard to put down. Highly recommended
Published 4 months ago by Ian
Lightning Pilots and their aeroplane
Anyone interested in an era when the UK had a number of aeroplane manufacturers (before BAE bought them all and duly closed them down aided by government)this book stands out as a... Read more
Published 5 months ago by OJ
Ron mcGuffie
A very interesting book by several Pilots who flew this very fast Jet. it seemed to have had many Incidents and Accidents but these stories help the... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Ron McGuffie
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