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Alan White
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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 out of 5 stars 16 ratings
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.
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  1. Print length
    417 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Pen & Sword Aviation
  4. Publication date
    September 19, 2009
  5. File size
    35.2 MB
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    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“..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 ‏ : ‎ 35.2 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 417 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 out of 5 stars 16 ratings

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  1. Alan White

    Alan White

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  2. Alan White

    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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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
16 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars As an ex-RAAF officer post-Cold War, I was fascinated ...
    Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    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.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • MOORAD CHOUDHRY
    5.0 out of 5 stars A genuine page turner for enthusiasts of post-war RAF history, an excellent fast jet pilot memoir
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 7, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The author had a most impressive career in the RAF culminating in achieving Air Rank, but it's his love of flying that shines through on every page. There is much here of interest to those who like reading about flying two of the most icononic post-wat British aircraft, the Hunter and the Lightning. AVM White writes with humanity and in an honest and spirited style, it was a pleasure to read this book. He sticks to the things that most buyers of these books want to read about - the aeroplanes - and keeps the officers mess antics and private life anecdotes to a minimum (which, I am fairly certain, no-one outside of immediate family and friends is really interested in knowing). There is also much to inspire any reader - whether they are aspiring to fly fast jets or not - because at the start of his career the author recounts how his performance was "below average" or "low average" and he did not make that great an impression on his superiors. That certainly changed - one doesn't reach two-star rank without impressing the bosses!
    All in all an exceptional story written by an exceptional person. And as a UK citizen, all I would say to the Author is, "God Bless You. Thank you for your service."
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  • patrick russell
    5.0 out of 5 stars 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.
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  • the morgans
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 2, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Great read, a good look at the RAF over a long and interesting career.
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  • sherriff
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 25, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    good read
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