Calling Aviation enthusiasts- Books advice

[Brother D]

So pop's birthday is coming up and I'm looking for a book (or two) that are really interesting on Aviation.

He's pushing 75 and loves all aviation based things, but I think has a soft-spot for the Spitfire and WW2 aircraft in general.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

[Simpo Two]

Autobiography or reference book?

[jimmyjimjim]

Fate is the Hunter, Ernest K. Gann.

WW2 era for the most part, though pre and post war as well.

If he hasn't got it already, it's a great read.

[Brother D]

Either, or both, any recommendation on Gibson/Harris/Wallace?

[Eric Mc]

Brother D said:

Either, or both, any recommendation on Gibson/Harris/Wallace?

Wallis

Currently reading this -



Would highly recommend this -

[5150]

I'll second Fate is the Hunter - the finest aviation book you'll ever read . . . .

[gary2010]

Il second first light an absolute brilliant read and definetly one of the better books also lifes too short to cry by tim vigors is another brilliant book

[Eric Mc]

Mr Vigors being another of the unsung Irish heroes who flew with the RAF during WW2.

[WTFWT]

Sigh for a Merlin, by Alex Henshaw.
All about developing and test flying the Spitfire. Some truly hair raising stories - highly recommended.

Richard Bach is great on flying - almost any would do.
Empire of the Clouds is an excellent review of aviation events and the decline of the British aviation industry that he will have probably grown up watching. Not nearly as dry as it sounds.
Chickenhawk is about helicopter flying in Vietnam but absolutely riveting.

[Simpo Two]

If he's a Spitfire anorak then 'Spitfire' by Jeffrey Quill (a Spitfire test pilot and colleague of Alex Henshaw) is packed with detail on all marques.

[gary2010]

Eric Mc said:

Mr Vigors being another of the unsung Irish heroes who flew with the RAF during WW2.

He certainly is ,its amazing how many people of different nationalities don't really get the recognition they deserve for flying with the raf during the war.Just thought another good book is wing leader by johnny johnson or dambusters by max arthur is such an eye opening read

[Brother D]

Thanks guys, I've gone for the Dambusters and Fate is the hunter - (I'll grab them off him when he's finished)...

[Eric Mc]

Brother D said:

Thanks guys, I've gone for the Dambusters and Fate is the hunter - (I'll grab them off him when he's finished)...

Make sure you buy the James Holland "The Dambusters" and not the old Paul Brickhill "The Dambusters".