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Phoenix Squadron

Phoenix Squadron: Hms "ark Royal", Britain's Last Topguns And The Untold Story Of Their Most Dramatic Mission

by Rowland White

3.00 out of 5 (2 ratings)

Format:
Paperback 
Pages:
528 
Publisher:
Transworld Publishers Ltd 
Publication Date:
01 April 2010 
Category:
Books 
ISBN:
9780552152907 

Description

January 1972: the tiny outpost of British Honduras is threatened with imminent invasion by battle-hardened, US-trained Guatemalan paratroops. Britain's response must be immediate and decisive. But there is only one deterrent the government can offer: HMS Ark Royal, once the Navy's most powerful warship, now a white elephant on the verge of being scrapped. To save the small colony, she must launch a pair of Buccaneer fighter bombers on an unprecedented long-range mission. But first the old carrier must make a high-speed, 1,500 mile dash across the Atlantic towards the Gulf of Mexico. The odds of arriving in time are very slim indeed...Drawing on extensive first-hand accounts and previously unseen, classified documents, Rowland White has pieced together one of the most audacious and thrilling missions of post-war British military history.

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Showing 1-2 out of 2 reviews.

  • Not in quite the same class as his previous book, Vulcan 607. If you are fascinated by Naval operations, are interested in recent history, or are simply amazed at the skills and bravery of carrier pilots, you will be fascinated by this book. On the other hand, if you are quickly bored by operational details, post-colonial politics, and the background to post-World War II Naval flight development, best keep well away. You'll either like it a lot or be completely bored. I liked it a lot.

    3.00 out of 5

    tompiercy

  • Disappointing. Whilst there is no doubting the professionalism and bravery of the men of the Royal Navy, the actual story is a bit of a non-event. Correspondingly there is lots of 'filler' material which pads the book out a bit.Some of the details may be of interest to military buffs but one has the overwhelming impression that the author was struggling to hit his word count which is not really surprising when the story could probably be adequately told in 500 words.If you are looking for fast jet action then I would avoid.Having said that, the author has a very clear and dramatic style, well suited to this kind of subject so I would certainly give Vulcan 607 a shot.

    3.00 out of 5

    simon_carr

Reviews provided by Librarything.

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