Mike Swift Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 For you guys who are 'into' real helicopters as well as the RC variety there is a terrific, non-fiction, paperback book: 'Chickenhawk' by Robert C Mason. Mason is an ex Vietnam UH-1 (Huey)pilot and the book recounts his experiences through training, explaining translational lift etc to actual combat experience. Mason tells it warts & all and there is an unexpected twist almost at the end of the book. I must have read hundreds of books & this is probably the best book I have ever read. The downside is it's £8.50 but worth double. Not a model related thread but with the weather we've been having it's something to keep you out of trouble! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winchweight Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 There's quite a few, but Chickenhawk is mandatory reading for all new heli pilots going through basic training. Great book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan C Posted August 7, 2007 Share Posted August 7, 2007 I agree it is a very good book. Definatly 5 stars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted September 29, 2007 Share Posted September 29, 2007 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Swift Posted September 30, 2007 Author Share Posted September 30, 2007 Yeah, Vulcan 607 is a real cliff hanger of a read. However I think it is disgraceful but typical of this country that without a 'ready to fly' replacement for the Vulcan they had to source parts from a junk yard to get the Vulcan fully functional! Words fail me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 Yup, enjoyed Vulcan 607.'Propellerhead' by Sean Woodward is a very good read. About how he bought a microlight to impress his girlfriend and went from there. Very funny, honest account about learning to fly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Swift Posted September 30, 2007 Author Share Posted September 30, 2007 OK David. Thanks for that, I'll give it a read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Child Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 Vulcan 607 is a fantastic read. Thrillers are boring compared with the 'real' stuff like this. I'll look up Chickenhawk - thanks for the recommendation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Swift Posted September 30, 2007 Author Share Posted September 30, 2007 Gareth, as an 'ex pilot' I could empathise with Robert Mason (the author of Chickenhawk) during his heli training period, he tells it like it is, warts & all. I guarantee you will not put the book down until you have finished reading it! If you fly RC helis (which IMHO are far more difficult than the 'real' thing) you will know exactly what he is talking about & actually learn a lot relative to RC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winchweight Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 Low Level Hell is a good read, It's about the Loach pilots who stirred up the VC for the Huey Gunships to straffe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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