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Carrier Pilot

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Carrier Pilot

By: Norman Hanson
Narrated by: Chris MacDonnell
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About this listen

In 1942, Norman Hanson learned to fly the Royal Navy's newest fighter: the US-built Chance Vought Corsair. Fast, rugged, and demanding to fly, it was an intimidating machine. But in the hands of its young Fleet Air Arm pilots, it also proved to be a lethal weapon.

Posted to the South Pacific aboard HMS Illustrious, Hanson and his squadron took the fight to the Japanese. Facing a desperate and determined enemy, Kamikaze attacks, and the ever-present dangers of flying off a pitching carrier deck, death was never far away.

Brought to life in vivid, visceral detail, Carrier Pilot is one of the finest aviators' memoirs of the war; an awe-inspiring, thrilling, sometimes terrifying, account of war in the air.

©2016 Norman Hanson (P)2017 Tantor Air Forces Armed Forces Military War Aviation
All stars
Most relevant
Such an up close and personal account , an absolutely riveting listen. The aircraft, ships, personalities, places , battles, lighter entertainment while on shore leave, all described brilliantly.

Riveting

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This is what the experiences of the men who fought the war were really like, stripped of all the modern tendency towards eagle-eyed hindsight and computer-game style number posturing

Authentic and humble

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Having read and listened to a number of books on the bpf this was the most ‘present’ at the fight. The lulls and peaks in the action, and the almost random nature of who was lost and who came through, make it a story that has of course to be heavily touched by sadness. But the pride with which Hansen narrates, suitably tempered with humour, empathy and dignity make it a fine book.

A sad proud story.

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I loved this book. Not for the war story, not for the technical stuff, but as a look into the day to day life of Fleet Air Arm aircrew and sailors I’m WW2. It wasn’t over the top, had hilarious quips and eminent sadness at the same time. Very very enjoyable.

A real look at the day to day

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Quite funny in parts. Can easily be listened to at 1.25 X the speed. Interesting stories about the Royal Navy in the Pacific, and training in the U.S.

One of my favorite Audibles.

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Well read, and a fascinating story. Not a well known side of the war brought to life.

Great insight to life on a carrier WW2

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As well as, providing a gripping retelling of the experience of being a Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve carrier pilot in the Second World War what stands out is the wry and dry sense of humour with which it is recounted.

Gripping account of war in a Corsair, told with a dry humour

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This book is badly narrated, through a boring story.
15 chapters of who drank what, what they had for dinner and who they shagged.
2 chapters would have covered it.
Totally disappointing yarn.

Get to the point

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.