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Sergeant Pilot
A story of a working-class boy’s determination to fly, and of a fighter pilot’s valour during the early years of World War II. Although a work of fiction, 'Sergeant Pilot' is sympathetic to the historical events and social attitudes of the period. It will appeal especially to those with an interest in aviation, the wartime RAF and the air battles of Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain and the day offensive over Northern France. Francophiles may also find the latter chapters of the novel 'a good read'.
Harry Steed is as an apprentice aircraft mechanic at a small English flying club as war clouds gather. He joins the RAF Volunteer Reserve as a sergeant pilot, and sees action for the first time in his Hurricane fighter over the beaches of Dunkirk.
Social attitudes in Britain are changing, accelerated by the war, but there is still an underlying class structure within society. There is also an unmistakable difference between RAF officer and sergeant pilots. The Luftwaffe proves to be a well-equipped and professional force, and the RAF pilots must learn quickly or die. The air fighting continues during the Battle of Britain and later during the RAF’s day offensive over France. Eventually Steed’s luck runs out when he is shot down by one of the deadly Focke Wulf Fw-190s over France. On the run from the Germans, Steed receives help from French patriots, but he also discovers that not all Frenchmen are sympathetic towards Britain.
Harry Steed is as an apprentice aircraft mechanic at a small English flying club as war clouds gather. He joins the RAF Volunteer Reserve as a sergeant pilot, and sees action for the first time in his Hurricane fighter over the beaches of Dunkirk.
Social attitudes in Britain are changing, accelerated by the war, but there is still an underlying class structure within society. There is also an unmistakable difference between RAF officer and sergeant pilots. The Luftwaffe proves to be a well-equipped and professional force, and the RAF pilots must learn quickly or die. The air fighting continues during the Battle of Britain and later during the RAF’s day offensive over France. Eventually Steed’s luck runs out when he is shot down by one of the deadly Focke Wulf Fw-190s over France. On the run from the Germans, Steed receives help from French patriots, but he also discovers that not all Frenchmen are sympathetic towards Britain.
329 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 5, 2021
"SERGEANT PILOT" is centered around Harry Steed, a working class young Londoner who has yearned to fly since he was a boy. Harry's access to flying began with an interview he was given in the spring of 1934 (age 16) with a local flying club for the position of apprentice aircraft mechanic. He has already shown himself to be a deft auto and motorcycle mechanic through working in a garage. There isn't much more Harry could boast of beyond that, for he has only recently passed out of secondary school with a certificate.
Anyway, Steed is accepted for employment with the flying club. What is more, he is allowed to take flying lessons with the club (with the expense of the lessons paid for through his wages), provided he passes his apprenticeship. This Steed proceeds to do, and by the eve of war in September 1939, he has succeeded both in becoming one of the flying club's best aircraft mechanics and a skilled, licensed pilot.
From the flying club, Steed gains admittance into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) and passes out of flight training in the spring of 1940, thereupon being assigned as a sergeant pilot to a fighter squadron flying the sturdy Hawker Hurricane out of Britain. His baptism of fire takes place in late May 1940 over Dunkirk during the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). He scores his first aerial victory on his first mission.
In the months to come, having survived a shoot down into the English Channel and the perils of the Battle of Britain that raged over Britain during the summer and fall of 1940, Steed slowly gains acceptance among his squadron mates (many of whom hail from privileged backgrounds, reflecting the rigidity of the country's class system of the time).
The greatest strength of "SERGEANT PILOT" is to be found in its aerial combat sequences, which the author wonderfully conjures up with such immediacy and skill. Quite frankly, the reality of the air war is so starkly and brilliantly rendered whenever Tomcat Squadron takes to the skies over Dunkirk and Southeast England. This made me wonder if the author himself was a pilot.
What I found a little lacking in "SERGEANT PILOT", however, was some of the dialogue among Steed and his squadron mates, and with Steed and various people outside of the RAF with whom he has relationships. Some of the dialogue tended to border on the melodramatic. What is more, the novel was in need of some additional editing. Hence, the four (4) stars.
Nevertheless, I highly recommend "SERGEANT PILOT" which takes the reader into the life of an RAF fighter pilot during the early stages of the Second World War (1939-1941).
Anyway, Steed is accepted for employment with the flying club. What is more, he is allowed to take flying lessons with the club (with the expense of the lessons paid for through his wages), provided he passes his apprenticeship. This Steed proceeds to do, and by the eve of war in September 1939, he has succeeded both in becoming one of the flying club's best aircraft mechanics and a skilled, licensed pilot.
From the flying club, Steed gains admittance into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) and passes out of flight training in the spring of 1940, thereupon being assigned as a sergeant pilot to a fighter squadron flying the sturdy Hawker Hurricane out of Britain. His baptism of fire takes place in late May 1940 over Dunkirk during the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). He scores his first aerial victory on his first mission.
In the months to come, having survived a shoot down into the English Channel and the perils of the Battle of Britain that raged over Britain during the summer and fall of 1940, Steed slowly gains acceptance among his squadron mates (many of whom hail from privileged backgrounds, reflecting the rigidity of the country's class system of the time).
The greatest strength of "SERGEANT PILOT" is to be found in its aerial combat sequences, which the author wonderfully conjures up with such immediacy and skill. Quite frankly, the reality of the air war is so starkly and brilliantly rendered whenever Tomcat Squadron takes to the skies over Dunkirk and Southeast England. This made me wonder if the author himself was a pilot.
What I found a little lacking in "SERGEANT PILOT", however, was some of the dialogue among Steed and his squadron mates, and with Steed and various people outside of the RAF with whom he has relationships. Some of the dialogue tended to border on the melodramatic. What is more, the novel was in need of some additional editing. Hence, the four (4) stars.
Nevertheless, I highly recommend "SERGEANT PILOT" which takes the reader into the life of an RAF fighter pilot during the early stages of the Second World War (1939-1941).
April 29, 2022
one of the best of the BOBritain fiction genre
Well written with a likeable and believable central character. Has solid technical background and believable plot.
I first read this book some years ago and sadly the desired follow up has never materialised.
Well written with a likeable and believable central character. Has solid technical background and believable plot.
I first read this book some years ago and sadly the desired follow up has never materialised.
May 8, 2024
Gripping and Accurate.
This has been the best war story I have read for a long while. Accurate but also with a feeling of it being a true story. I have read the second book in the series and hope Ken Fowler has written more!
n Fowler I
This has been the best war story I have read for a long while. Accurate but also with a feeling of it being a true story. I have read the second book in the series and hope Ken Fowler has written more!
n Fowler I
October 27, 2024
Sergeant Philip
I don't normally do reviews, but this book had to have one,From start to finish is was brilliant a very uninspiring story well written and kept you reading to get to the next chapter,well worth buying
I don't normally do reviews, but this book had to have one,From start to finish is was brilliant a very uninspiring story well written and kept you reading to get to the next chapter,well worth buying
July 9, 2019
Good
Good read, the description of dog fights is very creditable, well worth a read if you enjoy ww2 R.A.F books
Good read, the description of dog fights is very creditable, well worth a read if you enjoy ww2 R.A.F books
December 9, 2022
Good read
A good depiction of conditions, tactics and equipment. Explores the political spectrum of thinking and actions of the many players of the conflict.
A good depiction of conditions, tactics and equipment. Explores the political spectrum of thinking and actions of the many players of the conflict.
June 24, 2013
Written, unusually, from the viewpoint of a working class recruit to the elite and typically upper-class world of WW2 RAF fighter pilots, the hero of this book is immensely likable, the social background of the time is convincingly described (with a commendably non-judgmental perspective), and the technical aspects of flying are superbly researched. After reading this I almost feel I could fly a Spitfire myself - and certainly appreciate the excitement of it. Definitely a man’s book that puts Biggles in the shade and immensely enjoyable if you have a liking for adventure and what made Britain Great. And let's be honest - who doesn't.
August 31, 2015
Was this book a biography or a novel?
I have been reading many different accounts of the Battle of Britain, and several first hand accounts from RAF pilots, so it was easy to suspend disbelief. The flying stories matched up. Oddly enough, it was the additional details of his personal life that pointed to fiction. But this was historical fiction of the highest order.
I have been reading many different accounts of the Battle of Britain, and several first hand accounts from RAF pilots, so it was easy to suspend disbelief. The flying stories matched up. Oddly enough, it was the additional details of his personal life that pointed to fiction. But this was historical fiction of the highest order.
August 23, 2015
Exciting Story of the Air War
Very well written story of a young man caught up in the early part of WWII From his days at a small airfield to his effort to escape Nazi occupation of France, Harry becomes a likable, intelligent character.
Very well written story of a young man caught up in the early part of WWII From his days at a small airfield to his effort to escape Nazi occupation of France, Harry becomes a likable, intelligent character.
March 7, 2015
This book is about the class system in the raf
The sargent was the lower class poor in the raf
In ww2. The upper Cass were the officer and
Gentlemen military type people.
The sargent was the lower class poor in the raf
In ww2. The upper Cass were the officer and
Gentlemen military type people.
May 15, 2016
This is an awesome read, I hope it is a true acct, however it is Fiction.
This is the kind of book that makes one wish he were there.
This is the kind of book that makes one wish he were there.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews