From Phantom to Warthog: Memoirs of a Cold War Fighter Pilot

Fighter pilots are a unique band of brothers, with skill, cunning, and bravery. Colonel Steve Ladd's book "Phantom to Warthog" follows a young man from basic pilot training to senior command, providing an articulate and absorbing account of what life is like among a rare breed of arrogant, cocky, boisterous, and fun-loving young men who transform into steely professionals at the controls of a fighter aircraft.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 14 September 2020
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Fighter pilots have captured the imaginations of people for generations, with images of legendary figures such as Baron Manfred von Richthofen, Eddie Rickenbacker, Johnnie Johnson, Robert Stanford Tuck, and Richard Bong in the Great War, and Robin Olds in Vietnam. These men have been the subject of numerous books, both past and present, focusing on their skill, cunning, and bravery. However, there are other dimensions to these warriors who take to the skies to do battle that have not received the attention they deserve.

Colonel Steve Ladd's fascinating personal tale, woven around his 28-year career as a fighter pilot, is a testament to the many facets of this unique profession. This engaging account follows a young man from basic pilot training to senior command, providing a glimpse into the narratives that define a unique ethos. From the United States to Southeast Asia, Europe to the Middle East, Colonel Ladd's lifelong journey takes readers on a journey that is both amusing and poignant, linking the lighthearted to the deadly serious and poignant.

The anecdotes provided in _Phantom to Warthog_ are absorbing, offering an insight into life as an Air Force pilot. However, Colonel Ladd emphasizes that this book is not about fireworks or stirring tales of derring-do. Instead, it is an articulate and absorbing account of what life is really like among a rare breed of arrogant, cocky, boisterous, and fun-loving young men who readily transform into steely professionals at the controls of a fighter aircraft.

_Phantom to Warthog_ is a terrific read that delves into the legacy of a fighter pilot. It is a must-read for anyone who has ever been fascinated by the world of aviation and the men who inhabit it. Colonel Ladd's story is a testament to the courage, skill, and dedication required to be a fighter pilot, and his book will inspire and captivate readers for years to come.

Weight: 706g
Dimension: 242 x 165 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526761248