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Lightning Up: The Career of Air Vice-Marshal Alan White CB AFC FRAeS RAF Kindle Edition

by Alan White (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.9 16 ratings

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Alan White served in the RAF from 1953 to 1987 roughly the period of the Cold War. His introduction to flying came in his University Air Squadron. This seduced him into dropping out of University and joining the RAF. He initially had success during the piston-engine stages of his training but damage to a Vampire T11 and a bad start on the Hunter Weaponry Course set his confidence back until he recovered during service with his first Hunter Squadron. The infamous Duncan Sandys' cuts of 1957 caused the closure of his squadron and he found himself towing air-to-air gunnery targets, but luckily he was then moved to instruct on the Hunter Operational Conversion Unit where he developed his solo aerobatic display skills. He was then posted to take Hunters to Singapore and form a Squadron. He became involved with the SEATO response to assist the Thai governments request against communist insurgents from Laos and spent five months at Chiang Mai camping in a paddy field. After attending Staff College he was posted to Aden at a time of growing terrorist activity. He worked with the C-in-C, Admiral Sir Michael Le Fanu. Upon his return to the UK he trained to fly the supersonic Lightning fighter and eventually was promoted to lead a squadron. There followed a period of rapid promotion and he became Station Commander at RAF Leuchars. His later appointments as Air Commodore included Director of Operations (Air Defence), Senior Staff Officer HQ 11 Group, Air Commodore Plans at HQ Strike Command (where he assisted in the Falklands conflict) until he was promoted to his final rank and appointed Deputy Commander RAF Germany and then finally he became Commandant, RAF Staff College. His account is full of interesting flying detail and the internal workings of the RAF during those dangerous Cold War days.

Editorial Reviews

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“..well written, professional biography…”
Book News, Inc.

About the Author

Following thirty-three years in the Royal Air Force, and nine living in Cyprus, Alan White now resides in south-eastern England. He is currently at work on another book.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00CLEASKA
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pen & Sword Aviation (September 19, 2009)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 19, 2009
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 36003 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 417 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #2,101,239 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #143 in Biographies of the Cold War
- #490 in Biographies of the Air Force
- #937 in History of Astronomy

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4.9 16 ratings

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Alan White
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Alan White
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Following thirty-three years in the Royal Air Force, and nine living in Cyprus, Alan White now resides in south-eastern England. He is currently at work on another book.
See more on the author's page

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4.9 out of 5

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As an ex-RAAF officer post-Cold War, I was fascinated ...

Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2014

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As an ex-RAAF officer post-Cold War, I was fascinated by AVM White's story of his dedication as a young junior officer and fast-jet pilot, which through his perseverance and effort, eventually led him to a well-deserved promotion to air rank, despite the "doubts" expressed by his seniors within the upper echelons of the RAF, about his abilties as both a pilot and an officer. He weaves his life story with candor and decency, without unwittingly attacking personalities who may have had a detrimental affect on his future career. This is a story about an individual who succeeds through perseverance, merit and personal integrity, despite not being part of The Establishment and ultimately typifies the motto of the RAF - "Per Ardua Ad Astra" . Well worth the read for the flying stories, historical content and for anyone considering a career in the RAF whether it be General Duties or other branches.

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Top reviews from other countries

patrick russell

A very good read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 20, 2022

Verified Purchase

A superb autobiography, especially as it featured my favourite aircraft, the iconic Lightning. My tour of duty on 92 Squadron in Germany in the early 70's was one of my most enjoyable. Well worth reading.