Nighthawk One: Recollections of a Helicopter Pilot's Tour of Duty in Northern Ireland During the Troubles - Softcover

Shaw, Peter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1804512400 ISBN 13: 9781804512401

Publisher: Helion and Company, 2023

Synopsis

“…includes considerable detail in how to start up the helicopter and fly it.…the book reads well.” -Historical Miniatures Gaming Society

Flying light helicopters in Northern Ireland during the Troubles was a dangerous and demanding task. Terrorists were determined to prosecute a campaign against military aircraft operating in South Armagh and beyond, whilst roadside bombs made the security forces dependent on helicopters for surveillance and troop movements. The Westland Gazelle is one of the longest serving and most successful reconnaissance and observation helicopters. Drawing on his experience as a Gazelle pilot during a real time four-month tour of duty, the author describes what it was actually like to fly as a squadron pilot in the fight against terrorism. This book takes you on an aerial odyssey of the province during 1990 when the conflict was at its height.

This narrative non-fiction account is unique because previous authors on the subject have not been pilots. The author describes the daily experience of being on the front line operating with different organizations in the security forces and how aerial support contributed toward keeping the peace.

With plenty of technical flying content placed in historical context, the book will appeal to both aviation enthusiasts and military historians.

About this title

About the Author

Peter Shaw was born in Aldershot and educated at Cranbrook School and the RMA Sandhurst. After a sixteen-year career in the British Army during which time he served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps, he became an airline pilot flying for a major carrier. A qualified flying instructor and keen sailor, he recently retired from aviation. He is the author of several online guides including Zero to Hero. Nighthawk One is his first book. He is married, has two grown-up daughters, and divides his time between Hampshire and Spain.

Edition details

• Publisher: Helion and Company
• Publication date: 2023
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1804512400
• ISBN 13: 9781804512401
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 108