Fighter Pilot: From Cold War Jets to Spitfires: The Extraordinary Memoirs of a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Pilot

A young boy from Liverpool joins the RAF and becomes a three-star Air Marshal, flying Cold War jets and Spitfires. He also qualifies on helicopters and multi-engine aircraft and becomes responsible for the quality of the Red Arrows' displays. The book is a passionate aviator's story of military life, filled with excitement, knowledge of flying, and affection for his fellow servicemen and women.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 17 November 2021
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

A young boy sits in the back of a Chipmunk aircraft at RAF Woodvale, near Liverpool. He has never flown in anything before. As the power goes on and the little aeroplane soars into a clear blue sky, he decides at once that this is the only thing he wants to do in life: to be an RAF pilot.

Fighter Pilot: From Cold War Jets to Spitfires is a captivating tale that delves into the remarkable journey of a boy from Liverpool who joined the RAF during the height of the Cold War. Christopher Coville arrived at the RAF College at Cranwell to find an environment shaped by English Public School traditions, but he managed to excel and was streamed onto fighters. He flew various aircraft, including the Lightning, Phantom, and Tornado F3, in the air defense role.

Over time, Christopher's dedication and skill led him to become station commander of RAF Coningsby. During his tenure, he had the honor of flying with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, becoming the only station commander to qualify on the Hurricane, Spitfire, and Lancaster. He also qualified on helicopters and multi-engine aircraft and took on the responsibility of ensuring the quality of the displays performed by the Red Arrows, flying with them regularly.

Beyond his military career, Christopher served as the RAF's head of equipment during a significant re-equipment program and held a challenging top NATO post during the wars in the Balkans. His passion for flying shines through in every line of the book, filled with excitement, deep knowledge of flying, and affection for his fellow servicemen and women.

However, Fighter Pilot: From Cold War Jets to Spitfires is not just a story about a young man's military career. It is also a wonderful narrative about people, the great characters forged by military life, and the honor and sacrifice that come with serving one's country. The book showcases the bonds formed between servicemen and women, the challenges they face, and the triumphs they achieve together.

Christopher Coville's journey is a testament to the power of determination, hard work, and passion. His story reminds us of the incredible contributions made by individuals who choose to serve in the military and the sacrifices they make for the greater good. It is a book that will inspire and captivate readers, whether they are aviation enthusiasts or simply interested in the human stories that shape our world.

Weight: 554g
Dimension: 164 x 241 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399015578