Helicopter Boys: True Tales from Operators of Military and Civilian Rotorcraft
Helicopter Boys explores the role of helicopters in military and civilian situations. Acclaimed author Richard Pike, alongside fourteen contributors, share stories of the diverse nature of their operations. From the dramatic war scenes during the Indo/Pakistani war which saw one pilot’s actions earn him a VrC gallantry award to the experience of Chinook pilots on board the Atlantic Conveyor during the Falklands War. Then there are the civilian tales from rescue missions in the Outer Hebrides to being a pilot across the world in places such as Australia and Nigeria. There is also a focus on the Piper Alpha disaster in 1988 which saw the loss of 167 lives. The book ends with Pike’s experiences in Kosovo, helping to distribute emergency humanitarian aid on behalf of the United Nations World Food Program shortly after the war ended in 1999. Each story is told with great detail conveying the action and excitement that helicopter pilots experienced with each operation. The scope, flair and pace of the writing in this book will appeal to the general reader as well as to the enthusiast.
"1127901104"
Helicopter Boys: True Tales from Operators of Military and Civilian Rotorcraft
Helicopter Boys explores the role of helicopters in military and civilian situations. Acclaimed author Richard Pike, alongside fourteen contributors, share stories of the diverse nature of their operations. From the dramatic war scenes during the Indo/Pakistani war which saw one pilot’s actions earn him a VrC gallantry award to the experience of Chinook pilots on board the Atlantic Conveyor during the Falklands War. Then there are the civilian tales from rescue missions in the Outer Hebrides to being a pilot across the world in places such as Australia and Nigeria. There is also a focus on the Piper Alpha disaster in 1988 which saw the loss of 167 lives. The book ends with Pike’s experiences in Kosovo, helping to distribute emergency humanitarian aid on behalf of the United Nations World Food Program shortly after the war ended in 1999. Each story is told with great detail conveying the action and excitement that helicopter pilots experienced with each operation. The scope, flair and pace of the writing in this book will appeal to the general reader as well as to the enthusiast.
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Helicopter Boys: True Tales from Operators of Military and Civilian Rotorcraft

Helicopter Boys: True Tales from Operators of Military and Civilian Rotorcraft

by Richard Pike
Helicopter Boys: True Tales from Operators of Military and Civilian Rotorcraft

Helicopter Boys: True Tales from Operators of Military and Civilian Rotorcraft

by Richard Pike

Paperback

$24.95 
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Overview

Helicopter Boys explores the role of helicopters in military and civilian situations. Acclaimed author Richard Pike, alongside fourteen contributors, share stories of the diverse nature of their operations. From the dramatic war scenes during the Indo/Pakistani war which saw one pilot’s actions earn him a VrC gallantry award to the experience of Chinook pilots on board the Atlantic Conveyor during the Falklands War. Then there are the civilian tales from rescue missions in the Outer Hebrides to being a pilot across the world in places such as Australia and Nigeria. There is also a focus on the Piper Alpha disaster in 1988 which saw the loss of 167 lives. The book ends with Pike’s experiences in Kosovo, helping to distribute emergency humanitarian aid on behalf of the United Nations World Food Program shortly after the war ended in 1999. Each story is told with great detail conveying the action and excitement that helicopter pilots experienced with each operation. The scope, flair and pace of the writing in this book will appeal to the general reader as well as to the enthusiast.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781911714149
Publisher: Grub Street
Publication date: 09/30/2024
Pages: 176
Product dimensions: 6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x (d)

About the 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. He is the author of several Grub Street titles including: Lightning Boys, Lightning Boys 2, Hunter Boys and Phantom Boys Volume 1 and 2.

Table of Contents

Author's Dedication 7

Chapter 1 Stormy Start Richard Pike 8

Chapter 2 Breezy Struggle Robbie Duff 15

Chapter 3 Miracle Mum Richard Pike 22

Chapter 4 Nigerian Challenges Peter Donaldson 28

Chapter 5 Chinook Down Pushp Vaid 35

Chapter 6 Heli-Miscellany (1) Alan Boulden Mike Lehan Richard Pike Malcolm Harvey David Lanigan Mark Service Tony Stafford Chris Mutton 41

Chapter 7 Rapier Project David Lanigan 56

Chapter 8 Tricky Territory Richard Pike 60

Chapter 9 Pushp's War Pushp Vaid 68

Chapter 10 Heli-Miscellany (2) Mike Lehan Alan Boulden Peter Donaldson Pushp Vaid Richard Pike David Lanigan 75

Chapter 11 Divers' Deliverance Peter Donaldson 92

Chapter 12 Sea Sore Alan Boulden 96

Chapter 13 Blizzard Baby Chris Mutton 100

Chapter 14 Piper Alpha: Various Sources 106

Chapter 15 Jungle Turn Tony Stafford 114

Chapter 16 Fowl Factor Chris Mutton 119

Chapter 17 Heli-Miscellany (3) Alan Boulden Pushp Vaid Mark Service Dave Lowry Mac McDougall Malcolm Harvey Richard Pike 125

Chapter 18 Heroic Rescue Malcolm Soper 141

Chapter 19 Falklands Feats Alan Boulden 147

Chapter 20 Balkan Burdens David Lanigan 154

Chapter 21 Kosovo Richard Pike 163

Index 173

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