The Lightning Boys 2: More True Tales from Pilots and Crew of the English Electric Lightning

by Richard Pike

Overview

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 center.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781911621065
Publisher:	Grub Street
Publication date:	06/25/2018
Series:	The Jet Age Series , #3
Pages:	186
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(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

Introduction 7

Chapter 1 Red Alert: How Steve Gyles saved the world 8

Chapter 2 Stormy Struggle: Raindrops kept falling on Roger Colebrook's head 17

Chapter 3 Magical Mystery Tours: Don Brown remembers a seminal year 25

Chapter 4 A Day's Difference: Alan Winkles on a day trip to Dieppe 35

Chapter 5 Prodigious Plans: Terry Adcock recollects a tense inspection 45

Chapter 6 I Say, I Say!: Terry Davies admits to not-so-petty larceny 58

Chapter 7 Can-Do Legacy: Roger Beazley in Germany 64

Chapter 8 Quiet Please!: Bob Turbin liked to make his presence known 71

Chapter 9 Chasing The Unknown: Alan Winkles' mysterious scramble 76

Chapter 10 Mad Moments: Simon Morris pushing the boundaries 81

Chapter 11 A Career Inspiration: Dr Richard Marsh lauds the Pi's legacy 93

Chapter 12 In Ffolio-Ffoster's-F-Footsteps: Michael Bettell in a quandary 99

Chapter 13 Bear Reaction: Alan Winkles on the brink 106

Chapter 14 Eyes Tight Shut: Simon Morris in sore need 113

Chapter 15 Good Shooting?: Marcus Wills at missile practice camp 121

Chapter 16 Kept Waiting: Cliff Robinson's late arrival 129

Chapter 17 Difficult Decisions: Sir Joseph (Joe) Gilbert is required to sign 136

Chapter 18 Topsy-Turvy: Roger Colebrook's flight instrument problems 143

Chapter 19 A Night To Remember: Ali McKay's North Sea dip 150

Chapter 20 It's Over: Richard Pike recalls a turbulent time 160

Technical Annex: A tribute to Robbie - Squadron Leader J C 'Robbie' Cameron 167

Appendix A Select Biographies 177

Index 182