Kirjahaku

The grandson of a prominent Edinburgh lawyer, and the son of a self-made farmer in South Africa and Southern Rhodesia, Teddy Peacock-Edwards was born on 27 May 1915, in Kokstad, South Africa. He was one of eleven young men from Southern Rhodesia recruited into the RAF in 1938 and thence followed a multi-varied time in the RAF encompassing the full span of the Second World War. This book, written by his acclaimed fighter pilot son, Rick Peacock-Edwards, describes his father’s formative years and gives his overall impressions of his father as an individual, a father, and fighter pilot and then later covers Teddy’s experiences as a Fairey Battle pilot in France from September 1939 to June 1940 as a part of the British Expeditionary Force. The next phase of his life involved conversion to the Hurricane and as a pilot in the Battle of Britain, based at Kenley in Surrey on 253 Squadron. This period was immediately followed by an involvement in the defence of Malta in 1941, mainly as a flight commander on 261 Squadron, again equipped with Hurricanes. The story then progressively moves towards the Far East leading to a period of more than two years in Ceylon where he fought the Japanese during their Easter Sunday 1942 surprise attack on Colombo. Teddy also met his future wife, Jill, whilst in Ceylon. Wartime experiences are enhanced by reference to over 60 letters written by Teddy to his sister back in Rhodesia during the Second World War. The rest of the book covers the period from his return from Ceylon in the summer of 1944 to his post-war involvement in the RAF, and his return to South Africa. Throughout these pages, Rick gives his overall impressions of Teddy as an individual, father and fighter pilot. A fascinating insight from someone who, because of his comparative experiences and achievements, understands better than most the requirements for becoming a successful fighter pilot. A unique tribute to a remarkable man.

Rick Peacock-Edwards has led different lives at different times, but through it all has used a bonus in life nowadays often overlooked: he has consistently enjoyed himself. One of three brothers of outstanding South African Battle of Britain pilot F/O S R 'Teddy' Peacock-Edwards, his subtle and compassionate regard for a generation of wartime aircrew is clear: "As the proud son of one of the 'Few', their selfless daring has inspired me throughout my life. Importantly, they influenced my decision to become an airman in the Royal Air Force, to become a fighter pilot like my father, and to live life with spirit as they had lived their lives. It is essential that their experiences live on." Rate of Climb, his original and continually entertaining biography, drawing on previously unpublished family and archival material, shows Rick in complete command of his primary subject: flying. A leading ex-RAF fighter pilot to his fingertips, he flew the Lightning, Phantom, Tornado F2/3 and other high-performance aircraft, and served in senior-ranking positions in the UK, Germany and the US. During a varied and distinguished career he was closely associated with the Eurofighter Typhoon programme and was appointed as the Royal Air Force Inspector of Flight Safety. He ably demonstrated his uncommon skill and determined leadership during the Cold War era, first Gulf War and elsewhere. A past master of The Honourable Company of Air Pilots, he is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and the immediate past vice chairman of the Royal Air Force Club in London. He is equally as engaged in his post-RAF career as he was when a serving officer. This is an action-packed account of a foremost flyer's life with endless good stories, and a colourful cast of characters to match. Rick's compelling recollections in Rate of Climb reveal a life of considerable achievement, in a very personal book capturing the ties of airmanship that the author has been privileged to share. A must for all lovers of derring-do in the air.

The Folland Gnat was used by the RAF mainly in the advanced training role, in the 1960s and 70s, where it proved to be an ideal lead-in trainer for high-performance aircraft such as the iconic Lightning, the first RAF supersonic fighter. It was also the aircraft used by the famous Yellowjacks formation aerobatic team, formed in 1964, the forerunner of the world-famous Red Arrows team which was equipped with the Gnat for over a decade before being replaced by the Hawk in 1980. Lesser known, the Gnat was also used as a lightweight fighter by both the Indian and Finnish air forces. In the case of India, the Gnat, later called the ‘Ajeet’ (Midge), saw combat experience in the Indo-Pakistani wars, most notably in the Battle of Boyra. Today, over 60 years since the aircraft first flew, several Gnats continue to be operated from North Weald Airfield in Essex by the Heritage Aircraft Trust under the brand, the Gnat Display Team. This book relates the history of the aircraft and includes many fascinating and untold stories by those who flew the aircraft, many of them well-known and distinguished aviators including those from the Indian and Finnish air forces. There is also a focus on the civilian life of the Gnat in the 21st century with accounts from those who continue to fly the aircraft with the Heritage Aircraft Trust. Gnat Boys is set to become one of the most sought-after books about aviation covering a very special era in aviation history, a must read for everyone with an interest in stories of human trial and endeavour.

As the proud son of one of the ‘Few’, Rick Peacock-Edwards was inspired to follow his father into the Royal Air Force and become a fighter pilot. In Rate of Climb, his highly entertaining autobiography, it is evident that Rick is an ex-RAF fighter pilot to his fingertips. He flew the Lightning, Phantom, Tornado F2/3 and other high-performance aircraft, and served in senior-ranking positions in the UK, Germany and the US. During a varied and distinguished career, he was closely associated with the Eurofighter Typhoon programme and was appointed as the Royal Air Force Inspector of Flight Safety. He ably demonstrated his uncommon skill and determined leadership during the Cold War era, first Gulf War and elsewhere. This is an action-packed account of a foremost flyer’s life with endless good stories, and a colourful cast of characters to match. Rick’s compelling recollections in Rate of Climb reveal a life of considerable achievement, in a very personal book capturing the ties of airmanship that the author has been privileged to share. A must for all lovers of derring-do in the air.