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Martin Watson
BMAA 5370
Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 687 | Posted 20/Oct/2009 9:14 AM (GMT 0) |   | hi Mark
Not about microlights as such, but I recently enjoyed Richard Bach: A Gift of Wings, if there was ever a book about the joy of flight in small aeroplanes, this is it.
Jack Parham; Flying for Fun is also great and about flying a very light aircraft in the 1930s. Unfortunately I think this is only available second-hand now.
By the way both of these are mentioned by Anthony Woodward in Propellerhead as being books that inspired him.
happy reading
Martin | | Back to Top | | |
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Ted Snook
Never afraid to speak his mind
Date Joined Sep 2007
Total Posts : 441 | Posted 20/Oct/2009 12:53 PM (GMT 0) | | Hi, y'all,
I did an interview with Anthony Woodward for 'TOSG Bulletin', which was published a few months back. An amazing and modest Guy, he gassed with me for over an hour in a really unhurried way - almost like we had been mates for years. He told me quite a few 'extras', because the book goes to great pains to disguise the places and people.
His original Thruster - 'Thrasher' he calls them is currently rebuilt, which amazed him, since there was not a tube left un-trashed, and that Lester Watson is the same Mr Buxton that stood as against one of Harold Wilsons cabinet ministers and beat him back in the '60s.
I am probably one of life's sad cases, because I have now read 'Propellerhead' five times, and why not - you don't throw it away when you have seen it all - I didn't with the Wife anyway, although perhaps............
In addition to 'First light', which I have reviewed for the Bulletin, due to appear in a future issue, is 'Think like a Bird', also reviewed for the 'Bulletin'. Written by Alex Kimbell, it is a terrific read about an Army Pilot in the last fixed wing group to fly with the Army prior to Hellicopters. Real gung ho stuff, he takes the reader through basic training tragedies and humour, through to the conflict in Aden, where overloaded in his Beaver, he lands in the middle of a firefight with the Rebs, amongst car sized boulders. Perhaps even a better read than 'First light', but both terrific - I bought mine from Amazon.
Ted Snook BMAA 1294 | | Back to Top | | |
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Martin Watson
BMAA 5370
Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 687 | Posted 20/Oct/2009 1:11 PM (GMT 0) | | The thing I liked about First Light is that, although it is quite recently published, its basically stuff he wrote at the time and was persuaded to tidy up for publication - the immediacy of it comes through.
The episode he describes where he is over the North Sea in 2-300' cloud base trying to find a German bomber and then get back safely to Manston particulalrly struck me (maybe Rick should read this bit  )
Martin | | Back to Top | | |
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Mark Jones. Galaxy Microlights
BMAA 4106/INSP 532/CP 101
Date Joined May 2006
Total Posts : 610 | Posted 20/Oct/2009 1:12 PM (GMT 0) | | "Flight of the Mew Gull" by Alex Henshaw, charting his survay flight and record breaking flight to Cape Town and back pre War. Record has only just been broken !
It a Pre quall to "Sigh for a Merlin as mentionne earlier.
Regards
Mark
Galaxy Microlights
www.galaxymicrolights.com
Paint spraying Re skinning and Polyfibre Fabric Work , Engine servicing, Aircraft rebuilds, modifications, Specialists in, Thruster (all types), Escapade / Easy Raider, X'Air, Rans, C42. and may others. Aircraft sales and finding service. Insurance accepted by ON Risk.
Mark Jones Insp 532, CP101 BMAA 4106 Wing Farm
ULPower Aero Engines, UL260i
MicroAvionics outlet
Tel 07841 614577 | | Back to Top | | |
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Dave Allan
BMAA No564
Date Joined Oct 2006
Total Posts : 95 | Posted 20/Oct/2009 2:41 PM (GMT 0) | | One not to be missed. Chief Flying Instructor Colin MacKinnon's award-winning "On A Wing And A Prayer: Coast-to-coast by microlight across the US. Colin flew across the USA in a Flash 2 Alpha.
Good book that I have read quite a few times. | | Back to Top | | |
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David McAfee
Someone shut this guy up!
Date Joined Oct 2007
Total Posts : 708 | Posted 21/Oct/2009 8:35 AM (GMT 0) | | Also look at these previous threads on the same subject:
www.bmaa.org/forums/default.aspx?f=42&m=18774
www.bmaa.org/forums/default.aspx?f=15&m=29253
Propellerhead is great, but for me the absolute best read is 'Winged Victory' by V.M. Yeates. As the quote on the back says "The only book about flying that isn't flannel"
I also heartily recommend 'Land of Cloud Cuckoo' by Mike Taylor. Not only a book about flying, but a great travel adventure too. And the humour in it is second to none!
What else? Of course, as others have mentioned, 'First Light' is a good read. I have also read Brian Milton's book 'Global Flyer' and Colin MacKinnon's 'On a Wing and A Prayer'. Both good reads - extraordinary journeys.
Next to read on my list are Eve Jackson's 'Gertie's Day Out', 'Alone in the Sky' by Jean Batten and Alex Henshaw's 'Flight of the Mew Gull'
But, in case you missed it, 'Winged Victory' is my top recommendation. The sort of book that doesn;t leave you once you finish it. Closely followed by 'Land of Cloud Cuckoo' Definately read that too.
David. | | Back to Top | | |
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