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Skyhawks
Unknown Binding
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About the author
Barrett Tillman
121 books66 followersBorn a fourth-generation Oregonian, descended from American pioneers, Revolutionary War Patriots, Pilgrims (e.g. Priscilla Alden) and Pocahontas, Tillman was raised on the family wheat and cattle ranch. His younger brothers include a breeder of exotic animals and a Rhodes Scholar. In high school he was an Eagle Scout[citation needed], won two state titles as a rudimental drummer, and was a champion speaker and debater. Tillman was first published in 1964 at age 15 and graduated from the University of Oregon in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
Like his father, a Navy trained pilot in World War II, Tillman developed an early passion for aviation and learned to fly at age 16. Over the next several years he flew a variety of vintage and historic aircraft, including a pre-WW II Navy trainer and a restored dive-bomber. The latter became the subject of his first book, The Dauntless Dive Bomber of World War II, published in 1976. It established the format for many subsequent books, operational histories of U.S. Navy aircraft.
After college Tillman worked as a freelance writer until 1982 when he founded Champlin Fighter Museum Press in Mesa, Arizona, publishing out-of-print and new titles on military aviation.
In 1986 he moved to San Diego to become managing editor of The Hook, quarterly journal of the Tailhook Association. He remained in that position for three years before deciding to focus full time to writing fiction. His first novel was published in June 1990. Warriors[1] depicted a Mideast air war and became an immediate best seller when Iraq invaded Kuwait two months later.
Tillman's next two novels appeared in 1992: The Sixth Battle, (written with his brother John) which captured a wide following among computer war gamers; and Dauntless, intended as the first in a trilogy. It was followed by Hellcats, nominated as military novel of the year in 1996. He has also published original fiction in the Stephen Coonts anthologies, Combat and Victory.
Tillman remains active as a magazine writer. He is a regular contributor to The Hook, Flight Journal, and several firearms publications. He has also reported from Africa for Soldier of Fortune magazine.
Tillman is a former executive secretary of the American Fighter Aces Association.[2]
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett_...
Like his father, a Navy trained pilot in World War II, Tillman developed an early passion for aviation and learned to fly at age 16. Over the next several years he flew a variety of vintage and historic aircraft, including a pre-WW II Navy trainer and a restored dive-bomber. The latter became the subject of his first book, The Dauntless Dive Bomber of World War II, published in 1976. It established the format for many subsequent books, operational histories of U.S. Navy aircraft.
After college Tillman worked as a freelance writer until 1982 when he founded Champlin Fighter Museum Press in Mesa, Arizona, publishing out-of-print and new titles on military aviation.
In 1986 he moved to San Diego to become managing editor of The Hook, quarterly journal of the Tailhook Association. He remained in that position for three years before deciding to focus full time to writing fiction. His first novel was published in June 1990. Warriors[1] depicted a Mideast air war and became an immediate best seller when Iraq invaded Kuwait two months later.
Tillman's next two novels appeared in 1992: The Sixth Battle, (written with his brother John) which captured a wide following among computer war gamers; and Dauntless, intended as the first in a trilogy. It was followed by Hellcats, nominated as military novel of the year in 1996. He has also published original fiction in the Stephen Coonts anthologies, Combat and Victory.
Tillman remains active as a magazine writer. He is a regular contributor to The Hook, Flight Journal, and several firearms publications. He has also reported from Africa for Soldier of Fortune magazine.
Tillman is a former executive secretary of the American Fighter Aces Association.[2]
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett_...
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 11, 2016
The United States has the largest and most powerful navy in the world. No brag, just fact and since the close of World War II, reserve fleets have been silently waiting for the time they are needed and once again commissioned into active service. These ghost fleets or more commonly known as mothball fleets are spread along both the east and west coasts of the United States and are comprised of a vast multitude of various types ships. From aircraft carriers, frigates, troop carriers, and even smaller attack and service ships patiently await either a new life or function. Occasionally mothball ships are sold to other navies and cruise the seven seas under another name and flag.
Congress has agreed to sell an obsolete aircraft carrier to the Peoples Republic of China and ATA (Advanced Training Associates) has been given a contract to train a few select Chinese fighter pilots in carrier maneuvers and tactics. Ex-navy pilots make up the aeronautical training personnel of ATA. Each pilot has his or her colorful call sign. Michael “Oz” Ostrewski, Zack “Pure” Delight, Robert “Robo” Robbins, Terry “Hook” Peters, and Elizabeth “Scooter” Vespa form a team with a daunting task before them. This job is made only harder when the west coast is threatened with nuclear destruction.
The premise is great; although I really doubt that the US would ever part with one of its carriers. The action is nonstop and the aerial aspects are spot on. Dogfights are now pretty much things of the past but the author has recreated an imaginative scenario of what one might look like today with the most advanced jets and weaponry. Any navy, aircraft, war, or international suspense buff is sure to love this story.
Congress has agreed to sell an obsolete aircraft carrier to the Peoples Republic of China and ATA (Advanced Training Associates) has been given a contract to train a few select Chinese fighter pilots in carrier maneuvers and tactics. Ex-navy pilots make up the aeronautical training personnel of ATA. Each pilot has his or her colorful call sign. Michael “Oz” Ostrewski, Zack “Pure” Delight, Robert “Robo” Robbins, Terry “Hook” Peters, and Elizabeth “Scooter” Vespa form a team with a daunting task before them. This job is made only harder when the west coast is threatened with nuclear destruction.
The premise is great; although I really doubt that the US would ever part with one of its carriers. The action is nonstop and the aerial aspects are spot on. Dogfights are now pretty much things of the past but the author has recreated an imaginative scenario of what one might look like today with the most advanced jets and weaponry. Any navy, aircraft, war, or international suspense buff is sure to love this story.
Displaying 1 of 1 review