Phoenix Squadron, Rowland White

Location : Nearly in Cambridgeshire

Hi Gents,

Author Rowland White, of Vulcan 607 fame, has been kind enough to forewarn me of the imminent release of a new book by him

The new book, to be released shortly, is titled Phoenix Squadron. The flyer below is self explanatory (and the poor quality is all my own work! sorry)

Phoenix Squadron, Rowland White Scana

I for one find the subject matter fascinating, and if it reads half as well as his previous epic it should be a gripper.

I've taken the opportunity to link to the Amazon page as mentioned on the flyer:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Phoenix-Squadron-Rowland-White/dp/0593054504/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235118644&sr=1-1

Location : Gloucester

Looks Great! Pre-ordered!

Subject: Re: Phoenix Squadron, Rowland White 2009-03-19, 07:07

I managed to get an advanced proof copy through a contact in the publishing trade. It's pretty good, written in a similar style to Vulcan 607. The best bit for me were the passages describing RN carrier ops with Buccaneers and Phantoms. The copy I had didn't have any maps or photo's in it, so i can't comment on them.

If you enjoyed Vulcan 607, this one is worth a read too.

Cheers
Bob

Location : Nearly in Cambridgeshire

I’ve been fortunate enough to receive through Rowland White a copy of his new book ‘Phoenix Squadron’ direct from the publishers before its official release on 9^th April 09.

The book revolves around an attempt by Guatemala supported by El Salvador to take control of British Honduras before they themselves receive independence, and the ‘proceed with all dispatch’ mission of HMS Ark Royal and her embarked squadrons to the area to provide a ‘show of force’ presence until forces could be built in the area to protect the small country.

The book is written in Rowland’s own style, made so familiar by his previous book Vulcan 607, and from the early chapters he immediately captures the reader’s attention with tales of Buccaneers Phantoms and Gannets, Sea Kings and Wessex interspersed with an accurate portrayal of the atmosphere in the region first hand from those that were there in the most part. It is of note that the Fleet Air Arm was instrumental in assisting the U S Navy in its search for air combat supremacy, and the revelation that the Fleet Air Arms safety record was actually worse than German F104, combined with the fact that only 60% serviceability was the order of the day comes as something of a stiffener of respect for those that fly at sea. It is easy to become totally absorbed as one reads about Marineflieger F-104s being unable to live with the Buccaneer at low level over Scotland, while his description of a ramp strike by an 892 Sqn Phantom is almost as painful as the real thing. The story also brings the reader into contact with naval aviation personalities that will make themselves well known names ten years hence flying the Sea Harrier against another South American foe this time over the Falklands.

To say more about the actual events the reader follows would take away the enjoyment that can be derived from the book, and indeed I feel it’s a book that like Vulcan 607 will stand the reader picking it up again and again over time, and still derive pleasure from it. Running to 407 pages including glossary appendices and index, the front of the book is dominated by four simple but highly explanatory maps of the region in varying scales, and complimented by three sections of photographs, totalling 83 in number both colour and monochrome, the vast majority of which have not been seen in print previously. The two appendices give cutaway drawings of both he Buccaneer and the Phantom with numbered lists identifying the individual parts that are visible.

This then is the story of good old fashioned indomitable British spirit, in an era when Empire had waned to a mere glimmer in all but the most far flung colonies. Rowland White draws you into a world of 50,000 tons of grey ageing steel, high risk flying and Espirit de Corp. The taste of salt and the smell of Avcat are almost tangible as you fly with these brave men off the deck on their mission. Whether you remember the events, want to learn more about the period, or simply want to read about the daily dangers and precision required flying fast jets off an aircraft carrier, then I can do no better than simply highly recommend this book to you.

Available in all good book shops on 9^th April 09

ISBN 978-0-593-05450-5

Location : Rotherham, South Yorkshire

Asda are now selling this for a tenner

Location : Sheffield Spotter Watch Member : no

I find the popularity of Rowland's books a bit depressing. As a long-time aviation author, I always assumed that enthusiasts preferred to buy factual no-nonsense books about aircraft, and yet it seems that people are more interested in hyped-up novel-esque approaches like Rowland's. Each to his own I guess but knowing how publishers work, I can see that it will make it even more difficult to get books produced on various subjects, unless they're "jazzed-up". The market's already going that way.

Oh well, this trend could have its lighter moments. Can't wait for the release of "Slippery When Wet - the epic story of the life and death struggle of the Utterly Butterly wing walking team"...

Location : Nearly in Cambridgeshire

Meeeeeow

Location : Area 51 Spotter Watch Member : No

I have many friends who read Vulcan 607 and loved it even though they have no particular interest in aviation. More importantly they now want to go to an airshow to see XH558 fly, something a tome detailing the location of the Rover Auxiliary Power Unit and other such trivia would never do.

Location : Sheffield Spotter Watch Member : no

Somehow, I don't think Rowland's 607 book was intended as a promo for TVOC Laughing

Each to his own I guess, but I know I'm not the only guy who think's it's a bit sad that factual accounts on aviation topics are infinitely less-popular than these spiced-up novel-esque books. I just look at things from the writer's side of things and it's very disheartening to talk to publishers (and more than a few frustrated authors) who want to produce books on all sorts of lovely subjects but they just don't stand a chance any more, because they're no longer judged to be commercially viable. If the subject covered by Rowland's latest book was covered in a simple no-nonsense factual way, no commercial publisher would want to touch it with a proverbial barge pole (save for some distinctly less-commercial specialist publishers maybe), and yet once it's re-written like a "Boy's Own" novel, it's on the shelves in Tesco! Says alot about our modern society I guess! Sometimes I'm glad to be old - bah humbug!

Location : Cheshire Spotter Watch Member : Yes

Grahame W wrote:: Asda are now selling this for a tenner

Saw it there this morning for £8 now! ;)

Location : Swindon Spotter Watch Member : no

I for one thoroughly enjoyed Vulcan 607, and will give this new one a go.

Location : scotland Spotter Watch Member : no

Just finished reading this, and was very dissapointed. I was expecting a book about Naval Aviation, and this was far from it. Far to much content of non aviation subject matter, and I'm sorry, but all they did was fly a long distance, a quick flag wave over Belize city, and a beat up over the airport, before returning to "Mother". Gripping (not).

Location : Coventry Spotter Watch Member : No

Do certain people have anything positive to say about aviation full stop? I have read both books by Rowland White and found them highly enjoyable!