Book: The Fighter Pilot's Handbook: Introduction
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By John Roberts in Portfolio: My Book Excerpts Published: Thursday, 06 December 07 - 04:52 PM (GMT) Last Updated: Friday, 07 December 07 - 06:39 PM (GMT) |
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Introduction
The Fighter Pilot's Handbook
by John Roberts
Published, 1992, in Great Britain, Australia, the United States and Canada
Arms & Armour Press, London and Sterling Publishing, New York
Introduction
The Fighter Pilot's Handbook
by John Roberts
Published, 1992, in Great Britain, Australia, the United States and Canada
Arms & Armour Press, London and Sterling Publishing, New York
Introduction
As with every profession, the fraternity of fighter pilots has its own special history, character, literature, ideology, standards, ideals, procedures, equipment and heroes. This collection is a sampling from the body of writings and illustrations - a flavour of pages, pictures and thoughts from a vast encyclopaedia which grows ever larger.
Above all, it is a book for fighter pilots. It is a compilation of a few of the things that I wish had been collected in one place when I was in the profession. And now that I am not, this is a book that I will always enjoy picking up. You could say that I put it together as much for myself as for anyone else, for this represents the life and ideals which were once my guiding force.
And it is, of course, not just a book for fighter pilots, but for all those who enjoy their story, admire their lives and respect their profession. For simple adventure and interest, there are few better images.
If you have known a fighter pilot, the chances are you knew someone with spirit, who approached the world positively and who was comfortable with himself. The man who masters himself and his aeroplane does not always master the other elements of his life, perhaps because he devotes himself so singlemindedly to his flying. Sometimes the drive and exuberance needed by his profession are out of place in the mortal world and outsiders find him a bit odd. Whatever the case, this book may help you to understand him.
But, no matter who you are, this book will tell you something about one of mankind's most admirable defenders, one who has been given a romantic role and a separate place in the pantheon of good, brave men.
Above all, it is a book for fighter pilots. It is a compilation of a few of the things that I wish had been collected in one place when I was in the profession. And now that I am not, this is a book that I will always enjoy picking up. You could say that I put it together as much for myself as for anyone else, for this represents the life and ideals which were once my guiding force.
And it is, of course, not just a book for fighter pilots, but for all those who enjoy their story, admire their lives and respect their profession. For simple adventure and interest, there are few better images.
If you have known a fighter pilot, the chances are you knew someone with spirit, who approached the world positively and who was comfortable with himself. The man who masters himself and his aeroplane does not always master the other elements of his life, perhaps because he devotes himself so singlemindedly to his flying. Sometimes the drive and exuberance needed by his profession are out of place in the mortal world and outsiders find him a bit odd. Whatever the case, this book may help you to understand him.
But, no matter who you are, this book will tell you something about one of mankind's most admirable defenders, one who has been given a romantic role and a separate place in the pantheon of good, brave men.
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