Description
In this rollicking memoir, the former Royal Air Force pilot Ted Rayner takes us on a wild ride through his wartime escapades, starting with his enlistment in the RAF Volunteer Reserve back in 1939. Imagine this young chap, fresh-faced and full of dreams, undergoing aircrew training and then soaring through the icy skies with RAF Coastal Command for the rest of the war until the last snowflake settled on the conflict.
Ted was at the controls of a Lockheed Hudson, a plane that was about as fast as a three-legged tortoise, patrolling the frigid waters of the Arctic Ocean from airfields in Greenland and Iceland. His job? To provide air cover for Allied ships and keep a wary eye on the enemy, who were lurking about like naughty schoolboys, ready to cause trouble.
Now, let’s talk about those Arctic patrols. They were about as dangerous as it gets. The Hudson, bless it, was no match for the speedy Messerschmitt 109 and 110 fighters that the Luftwaffe had stationed in Norway, and let’s just say the odds were not in Ted’s favour. Add to that the bone-chilling temperatures that could freeze a polar bear’s whatnots off, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for disaster. Mechanical or navigational failure? You might as well play Russian roulette with a fully loaded pistol.
Ted’s vivid recollections of his time in the frozen north, alongside a select band of fellow aviators, provide a fascinating glimpse into these often-overlooked operations of the RAF. His stories are peppered with humour that shines through even in the darkest of times, recounting the lighter moments of life in the wartime RAF.
This memoir isn't just a dry history lesson; it’s a thrilling, entertaining ride that aviation buffs and history enthusiasts alike will surely treasure. So sit back, buckle up, and prepare for a journey through the frozen skies that’s as exhilarating as it is enlightening.
Details
Publisher - Woodfield Publishing
Language - English
Paperback
Author(s) - Ted Rayner
Published Date - October 26 2024
ISBN - 9781873203293
Dimensions - 23.4 x 15.6 x 1.5 cm
Page Count - 264
Payment & Security
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.