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This Exciting Air: The Experience of a Test Pilot
Hardcover
Published January 1, 1943
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August 7, 2025
This book was written almost a century ago by a Corsair test pilot during WWII. There aren’t many times when you can read something from that timeframe through the eyes of an actual service member who’s lived to tell the story, especially a test pilot who flew one of the best planes ever created and put into war.
He lost friends and almost lost his own life multiple times while testing these aircraft and I’m glad he was able to live in order to write about his experiences.
Also, my physical copy is dated from 1944 - the book, which I’d have to do some more research on how many were published in the 40’s, is probably one of his first copies to be printed and was found in an old bookstore in Boston.
There’s a brief, handwritten note on the first page for a man named “Don” from his “Sis” who wanted to gift him the novel in order to “spark some imagination and determination.” It was dated 12-23-44.
If only we knew who they were. (The book is also in great condition. Hopefully Don read it and it didn’t sit somewhere for decades!)
He lost friends and almost lost his own life multiple times while testing these aircraft and I’m glad he was able to live in order to write about his experiences.
Also, my physical copy is dated from 1944 - the book, which I’d have to do some more research on how many were published in the 40’s, is probably one of his first copies to be printed and was found in an old bookstore in Boston.
There’s a brief, handwritten note on the first page for a man named “Don” from his “Sis” who wanted to gift him the novel in order to “spark some imagination and determination.” It was dated 12-23-44.
If only we knew who they were. (The book is also in great condition. Hopefully Don read it and it didn’t sit somewhere for decades!)
Displaying 1 of 1 review