FLYPAST MAGAZINE JUNE 2008

The author is none other than Tony Haig-Thomas, the Aviation Trustee of the Shuttleworth Collection – that’s him beaming out at us on page 26 of the May issue. With this pedigree the reader is in for an engaging, self-deprecating and wholly illuminating look at RAF life. The strapline says it all: “A personal account of this distinguished officer’s RAF career 1956-1962 – with a bit added on.” Heady stuff, Vampires, Venoms, Hunters and Javelins, concluding with flying Hunters again, for the Saudis. (Tony’s royalties will be donated to Shuttleworth; buy the book from Old Warden and the collection will benefit even more.) Fantastic stuff.

TODAYS PILOT JULY 2008

I really enjoyed this book. Tony Haig-Thomas, (the well-known Aviation Trustee of the Shuttleworth Collection and Avenger pilot) joined the RAF in the 1950s, when it was still possible to fly several of the numerous aircraft in the RAF’s inventory in the course of a tour. Trained on jets from the start, his recollections of flying classic fighters such as the Hunter, Javelin, Vampire and Venom are extremely well told in an amusing, self-deprecating style. It is easily one of the best books I’ve read this year, and if that wasn’t enough to tempt you into buying a copy, Tony is graciously donating his royalties to the Shuttleworth Collection.

A succesful day for Tony and the Shuttleworth Collection!

http://www.mk-news.co.uk/bedsonsunday-news/displayarticle.asp?id=312887

FALL OUT ROMAN CATHOLICS
AND JEWS

A personal account of this distinguished officer’s Royal Air Force Career 1956 – 1963
With a bit added on…

By

Anthony Haig-Thomas Fg.Off, RAF (Retd)

Foreword by

Air Chief Marshal Sir John Allison KCB, CBE, RAF (Retd)

Tony Haig-Thomas tells his highly personal story of a young man in hog-heaven (well, most of the time) but also painting an affectionate and authentic picture of that Air Force that he loved so much. Some of his descriptions of flying are lyrical. Passages on operational flying in Venoms and Hunters out of Aden (and ground operations with the Army) are exciting and play down the gallantry involved.
If you know what it was like to be in the Royal Air Force in the late 50s and early 60s, then you must wallow in the nostalgia generated by Tony’s story. If you would like to know what the Air Force was like in those days, then read this book, because it is the real thing. If you are just curious to know more about Tony, then much will be revealed by this book.

30 Black and White and 30 Colour photographs. Hardback 214 pages (includes a 40 Page photo A-Section)- ISBN-13: 978-1-906183-04-2

About the Author: The author was educated at Ludgrove Preparatory School and Eton. He had one ambition which was to fly in the RAF but was rejected four times due to short sight. Never taking no for an answer, and a preparedness to bypass official channels, eventually paid off. He joined the RAF in April 1956, training on Jet Provost and Vampire, ‘Wings’ were awarded in December 1957 and he then flew Hunter, Venom and Meteor in the Middle East. Following a disastrous low-flying episode in Rhodesia, he became a Flying Officer with minus four months seniority. After returning to England he became ADC to the AOC 11 Group and flew Seahawk, Javelin and Canberra, eventually leaving the RAF to join a City merchant bank.
As a civilian his weekends were spent at Redhill with the Tiger Club where, joining forces with Neil Williams, he flew a Zlin at the World Aerobatic Championships of 1966 in Moscow. The book ends with the author back flying Hunters in Saudi Arabia. It is written with an immaturity that is appropriate to his age at the time of the events and with a self-deprecating sense of humour. He is currently the Aviation Trustee of the Shuttleworth Trust.

AUTHOR’S ROYALTY WILL BE DONATED TO THE SHUTTLEWORTH COLLECTION

Available from the 1st May 2008
£16 RRP
To place an order, please contact Martyn at Old Forge Publishing,
39 Backgate, Cowbit, Spalding, Lincs, PE12 6AP. Tel: 01406 381313;
e-mail: ldforgepub@aol.com">oldforgepub@aol.com
www.oldforgepublishing.org