Fall Out Roman Catholics and Jews: A Personal Account of This Distinguished Officer's Royal Air Force Career 1956-1963 with a Bit Added on... - Hardcover

Haig-Thomas, Anthony

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 190618304X ISBN 13: 9781906183042

Publisher: Old Forge Publishing Ltd, 2008

Synopsis

Tony Haig-Thomas tells his highly personal story of a young man in hog-heaven (well, most of the time) but also painting an affectionate and authentic picture of that Air Force that he loved so much. Some of his descriptions of flying are lyrical. Passages on operational flying in Venoms and Hunters out of Aden (and ground operations with the Army) are exciting and play down the gallantry involved.
If you know what it was like to be in the Royal Air Force in the late 50s and early 60s, then you must wallow in the nostalgia generated by Tony's story. If you would like to know what the Air Force was like in those days, then read this book, because it is the real thing. If you are just curious to know more about Tony, then much will be revealed by this book.

About this title

About the Author

The author was educated at Ludgrove Preparatory School and Eton. He had one ambition which was to fly in the RAF but was rejected four times due to short sight. Never taking no for an answer, and a preparedness to bypass official channels, eventually paid off. He joined the RAF in April 1956, training on Jet Provost and Vampire aircraft, `Wings' were awarded in December 1957 and he then flew Hunter, Venom and Meteor aircraft in the Middle East. Following a disastrous low-flying episode in Rhodesia, he became a Flying Officer with minus four months seniority. After returning to England he became ADC to the AOC 11 Group and flew Seahawk, Javelin and Canberra aircraft, eventually leaving the RAF to join a City merchant bank.
As a civilian his weekends were spent at Redhill with the Tiger Club where, joining forces with Neil Williams, he flew a Zlin at the World Aerobatic Championships of 1966 in Moscow. The book ends with the author back flying Hunters in Saudi Arabia. It is written with an immaturity that is appropriate to his age at the time of the events and with a self-deprecating sense of humour. He is currently the Aviation Trustee of the Shuttleworth Trust.

Edition details

• Publisher: Old Forge Publishing Ltd
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 190618304X
• ISBN 13: 9781906183042
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 232