IN-DEPTH INSIGHTS INTO FLYING THE HARRIER, JAGUAR, PHANTOM AND TORNADO These thought-provoking first-hand accounts come from two friends, who joined the RAF together on the same day in 1963, went through basic and advanced flying training together and then followed two parallel but different careers. As the book is written jointly, you get two different perspectives on the main RAF front-line roles in the Cold War. They describe going through the RAF pilot training system in the 1960s, the aircraft they flew, and the bases they operated from. After completing advanced flying training on the Folland Gnat at RAF Valley in Anglesey they followed different paths from then on. George went to the Canberra Conversion Unit (OCU) at RAF Bassingbourne and then to RAF Luqa in Malta to fly the Canberra PR9 in the reconnaissance role. Alan to RAF Leuchars to convert on to the Gloster Javelin. George flew the Phantom FGR2 from its early days in service in the strike-attack roles with three different Phantom squadrons as both squadron pilot and flight commander. After his Javelin tour, Alan became an instructor on the Jet Provost but later came back to the front line in the air-defence role. They each have interesting views on the Phantom’s strengths and weaknesses in both roles. After completing RAF Staff College, George did a ground tour in the MoD Operational Requirements Branch in the early days of the Tornado development. Alan flew the Harrier and the Tornado and was an instructor on the NATO tactical leadership programme. George took over 6 Squadron at RAF Coltishall on the Jaguar in its early years of squadron service. After leaving the RAF they joined different airlines and continued their flying careers, having to make the transition from single-seat fighter operations to operating a large aircraft with passengers and crew. They both became specialists, George as a type rating examiner and human factors instructor and Alan as a consultant on airline safety and regulatory matters. The difficulties in transferring to civilian flying from military and the authors’ comparative experiences are discussed in detail, in this informative, entertaining and fascinating book.
