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Fast Jets to Spitfires (Hardback)

A Cold War Fighter Pilot's Story

Aviation > Aircraft > Spitfires & Hurricanes Colour Books Military > Post-WWII Warfare > Cold War Photographic Books

By Ron Lloyd
Imprint: Air World
Pages: 240
Illustrations: 100 colour illustrations plus maps
ISBN: 9781526759061
Published: 3rd August 2020

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How often have you glanced skywards at the sound of a passing aircraft and wondered what it would be like to fly one of those gleaming metal machines? Or admired the skill and the daring of the fighter pilot swooping down upon his enemy in the awe-inspiring, unrivalled elegance of a Spitfire? Ron Lloyd has had the experience of flying the majestic propeller-driven aircraft of the Second World War as well as the roaring, sound-barrier-breaking jets of the Cold War – and in this exciting book, he places the reader in the cockpit, describing what it really feels like to be sitting at the controls of a fighter aircraft.

Ron Lloyd joined the RAF after the Second World War. During his early service he was selected to be one of the pilots to fly the wartime aircraft in the famous feature film The Battle of Britain, being fortunate to fly a Spitfire and even a Messerschmitt Bf 109 during the six weeks of filming.

His role with the RAF, on the other hand, saw him on the front line in the Cold War, piloting de Havilland Vampires, Hawker Hunters, Gloster Javelins, Lightnings and Phantoms. He also served on exchange in the USA where he flew Convair F-102s, Convair F-106s and Lockheed T-33s.

Ron wanted to share the thrills and the dangers of flying such aircraft with those who have not had such privileges – as well as relive such moments with those who have. Packed with unique photographs of the golden age of British military aviation, Fast Jets to Spitfires brings the recent past back to life and allows readers to experience, through Ron Lloyd’s graphic accounts, the pure joy of being airborne, alone and in control of the great flying machines that have helped forge this nation’s history.

For those who want or wanted to fly it will put a smile on your face. The story flows surprisingly well with the sections covering the manoeuvres being a little dry. It is regardless a great reading book of times past.

Read the full review here

Aeroscale

What comes across throughout this book is the pure joy of flight. I’m sure this is what made the author such a successful instructor. I found it rekindled my desire to go flying and reminded me of why I became interested in aviation in the first place. This is an easy book to read with plenty of photos throughout its 230 pages, ideal for anyone with the slightest interest in flying, but beware! You may find yourself visiting your local flying club, with all the financial implications that may incur, after reading it. You have been warned.

Read the full review here

Flight Line Book Review

One With Spitfires once again in the limelight because of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, Ron Lloyd's book looks at the evolution of these amazing aircraft.

Books Monthly

As featured on Scale Modelling Now

Scale Modelling Now

About Ron Lloyd

Having been evacuated during the Second World War as a young child, RON LLOYD was educated at Wandsworth Grammar School in London under the guidance of superb, inspiring school masters who enabled him to qualify for Cranwell entry. During his subsequent RAF career, he has lived in Cyprus, Scotland, Wales, Texas, Canberra, and, latterly, Oxford. A contributor to Aeroplane Monthly and Flugzeug, Ron wed at the age of 23 and is still happily married to Anne.

Perfect Partner

Lightnings to Spitfires Memoirs of an RAF Fighter Pilot and Former Officer Commanding the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Hardback)

For forty-four years, Clive Rowley flew with the Royal Air Force and for thirty-one of those years he specialised as an air defence fighter pilot. Such was his love of fast fighter aircraft that, in order to stay flying, he transferred to Specialist Aircrew terms of service, relinquishing any chance of further promotion above his rank of squadron leader. During those years Clive flew Lightnings, Hawks and Tornado F.3s but, perhaps more intriguingly, for eleven years he flew Hurricanes and Spitfires with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), the RAF’s, if not the world’s most famous…

By Sqn Ldr Clive Rowley MBE

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