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03-10-2013, 07:09 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 696
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Thanks for the book review Bob - and moreover, welcome back. I've missed reading your posts.
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Don Alexander
Virginia
RV-9A 257SW Purchase Flying - O-320, Dynon D100
RV-9A 702DA (reserved) Finish Kit IOX-340
www.propjock.com
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03-10-2013, 05:10 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Coeur d'Alene, ID
Posts: 163
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Forgotten Eagle
I'm a bit late to the party as this is the first time I've seen this thread but it's quite fascinating and full of many a book I've not heard of. It's hard to pick a favorite but I'd probably say Fate is the Hunter because that was the first aviation book I read as a teen that really turned me on to flying (which has otherwise ruined the rest of my life  ).
Fate is the Hunter - first real page turner that I read as a teen
Rickenbacker - by far the most amazing book I've read
Hoover's Forever Flying - I used to keep several paperback copies around to give to any pilot I came across who hasn't read it.
One I did not see mentioned at all in this thread that I'll add is Forgotten Eagle: Wiley Post, America's Heroic Aviation Pioneer by Bryan Sterling & Frances Sterling. Post was quite the aviation pioneer and seems all but forgotten today.
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Ben Westfall
RV-10 (phase 1 flight testing)
Coeur d'Alene, ID
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03-10-2013, 06:29 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: New London, NC (near Charlotte), Boulder, CO
Posts: 271
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Three Eight Charlie by Jerrie Mock
Jerrie Mock was the first women to fly around the world solo, which she did back in the 60s in a Cessna 170 (could have been a 180). Three Eight Charlie chronicles the flight. Good read.
Jerre
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03-10-2013, 08:13 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Moose Jaw, SK, Canada
Posts: 550
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The Bandy Papers by Donald Jack; a hilarious account over three novels of a hapless but very fortunate Sopwith Camel pilot in WWI. Think "Being There" as an aviation story
Fail-Safe by Eugene Burdick and Harvey Wheeler; scared the **** out of me as a teenager and still does
Reach for the Sky by Paul Brickhill; if you're not inspired by the story of Douglas Bader, the legless British ace of the Battle of Britain, you don't like aviation
Anything ever written by Neville Shute
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Gerry Julian
Moose Jaw Saskatchewan
RV6A "Second Wind" C-GERZ (born N242UL)
O-360 A1A, Sensenich FP prop
Those who think any system is foolproof greatly underestimate the ingenuity of fools
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03-10-2013, 11:36 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Chino, CA
Posts: 738
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gerrychuck
Anything ever written by Neville Shute
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Neville Shute Norway, a very interesting guy. Best know for his book "On the
Beach". He was also a famous aircraft engineer having worked on the R100
airship. Check out his Wiki profile. My flight instructor, John Hazlett, first
enlightened me to his books in the early 70's.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevil_Shute
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Tom Prokop
Chino, CA
RV-8A,180/CS/Carb, AFS 4500 EFIS/EMS
RV-6, sold, 820 hrs of fun.
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03-11-2013, 03:40 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 112
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No Moon Tonight.
This is a very well written and interesting book by Don Charlwood.
I don't think this book has been mentioned so far on this forum.
It is his story of how he and 19 other Australians left their homes to go to the UK to join the RAF at the outbreak of WW2. The 20 first went to Canada to train as navigators before going to England. The book covers the experience of the 20 navigators flying bombers over Germany. Don Charlwood was the first of the 20 to make it to the goal of 30 missions before eventually returning to Australia. Of the 20 young men you left Australia only 5 survived the war. It is a detailed account of the life of a crew flying dangerous missions out of England also giving details of life in England at that time.
If you are interested the book ISBN number is 9 780907 579977
Barry RV6A
Last edited by Barry : 03-11-2013 at 03:50 AM.
Reason: 30 missions
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03-28-2013, 12:48 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,685
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Sir Hubert Wilkins was quite the Explorer
Quote:
Originally Posted by Finley Atherton
The Last Explorer by Simon Nasht
This book details the life and almost unbelievable exploits of the Australian, Sir Hubert Wilkins and includes lots of amazing aviating.
In particular he was the first to conceive of, and use aircraft in the polar regions.
With Ben Eielson ( American Aviation Hall of Fame) as the pilot they were the first to fly an aircraft (Lockheed Vega) over the Arctic Ice Cap from Point Barrow to Norway. Wilkins was a superb navigator and managed to navigate directly to their destination through thunderstorms and blizzards using dead reckoning and sextant sightings and with the compass shifting through more than 300 degrees of magnetic variation. The American Geographical Society described this as a "feat in navigation which can be confidently declared unparalleled in the history of flying".
He had lots of other "Firsts" in aviation but aviation was only part of this incredible man's life. For instance he was held in high regard by the American Military. In 1959 the nuclear powered submarine Skate became the first submarine to surface at the Pole, where it held a memorial service and scattered the ashes of the Australian, Sir Hubert Wilkins.
See Amazon Books for a brief description and reader reviews.
Fin
9A
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WOW! What an explorer and what a man. You are justifiably proud of your countryman's achievements. It is good that his life and achievements are respected by a fellow countryman these long years since he was shunned by many in Australia. I can only imagine the personal life of he and his wife of 29 years. The apparent sabotage of the submarine in his arctic ice cap expedition was a heartbreaker.
Thanks for recommending the book.
Bob Axsom
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06-05-2013, 02:10 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: McMinville, OR (KMMV)
Posts: 244
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Warbird Recoevery
I just finished reading "Warbird Recovery" by Gordon Page
From the back of the book:
"April Fool?s Day, 1992. Author Gordon R. Page receives a call from a business associate offering him the chance to travel to Russia in hopes of acquiring a rare World War II fighter plane. He?s waited for this call for years?and it?s not a joke. Packed with action, intrigue, and danger, Warbird Recovery delivers Page?s gripping true story of his journey to Russia to recover the aircraft and fulfill a lifelong dream. "
http://www.warbirdrecovery.com/
This is a great adventure from the US to Siberia in search of WWII aircraft. I started reading it while waiting for a commercial flight and couldn't put down. Gordon's description of air travel in Russia made my cramped seat in a 737 seam like first class.
I really enjoyed the book, a nice light hearted read, like talking to friend over a beer. I recommend it to anyone.
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06-05-2013, 02:53 PM
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Join Date: May 2013
Location: Mount Vernon, Wa
Posts: 643
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Axsom
What's your favorite aviation book?
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1) " The Wild Blue" - Stephen Ambrose. True story about B24 Liberator crews. And in particular, George McGovern and his crew.
2) " Instrument Flying" - Richard Taylor. The most readable book on the subject as far as I'm concerned.
3) " The Right Stuff" - Tom Wolfe. I read this book as a teenager. It was one of the books I credit with inspiring me to read. It also inspired me to drink and smoke and chase women. But, that's another story....
3) " Flight of the Intruder" - Stephen Coonts. Yeah, I know... But, its still a good read!
4) " Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators" - H.H. Hurt. I got a copy of the NAVWEPS 00-80T-80 binding years ago, when I was on active duty. Its one of the best aviation reference books out there real pilots and wannabes like me.
__________________
Ken W.
Mount Vernon, WA
2020 VAF Supporter
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06-05-2013, 03:41 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: AUSTRALIA
Posts: 749
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Axsom
WOW! What an explorer and what a man. You are justifiably proud of your countryman's achievements. It is good that his life and achievements are respected by a fellow countryman these long years since he was shunned by many in Australia. I can only imagine the personal life of he and his wife of 29 years. The apparent sabotage of the submarine in his arctic ice cap expedition was a heartbreaker.
Thanks for recommending the book.
Bob Axsom
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Bob,
Yes - what a man! I recently read the book again and continue to be amazed at the exploits and achievements of this unassuming and largely forgotten man.
Fin
9A
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