Fighter Pilot

by Mac 'Serge' Tucker

Mac Tucker, or 'Serge' to use his callsign name, is one of an elite group of men trained to fly F-18 jets. Now, for the first time, Serge takes you behind the scenes of the fighter pilot world to reveal what it's really like. Find out how it feels to be shot at by SAS snipers, to be lost in a $50 million jet over Northern Australia with nothing but car lights to guide you home, to rupture your sinuses while flying, to inadvertently bomb a yacht and to face death on an almost daily basis. Relive the adventures of a real-life Top Gun and find out what it takes to become part of this elite force. From the Pentagon to the South China Sea, the deserts of Australia to the wars of the Middle East, this book is as action-packed as it is entertaining. Sit back and strap yourself in for an exhilarating ride to the sound barrier and beyond with Mac Tucker, an Australian fighter pilot and real life Top Gun.

Genres: Military Fiction, War, Nonfiction, History, Aviation

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Kon · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you would love to know what its like to be a fighter pilot flying F-18's in RAAF, then this book will give you a humorous look in to one mans experiences. Easy to read, addictive, its hard to put down and will have you in stitches.

My only complaint was I sometimes got confused as far as the timeline of events, but this does not detract from the overall reading pleasure of this book.

If you dreamed to be a fighter pilot as a kid and want a good laugh then read it, you wont be disappointed.

[Brian Grinter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good, I couldn't put it down and ended up finishing it in two days.

"Serge" was a fighter pilot in the RAAF in the 90s and he gives an insight into operational life, and the shit they managed to get away with being the "best of the best". It also touches on the inter-service challenges with the culture of the three defence services.

Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in aviation and military aviation;

[Laurent · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a relatively interesting book if you're interested in aviation. Serge has a fun writing style and a good sense of humour. However for me, there was too much of a 'frat-boys' feel to the book - the endless stories of the d***headery and school-boy-like pranks wore thin for me and I really just wanted to know what it's like to fly such an awesome aircraft. Having said that, I recognise that Serge does acknowledge the fact it's very hard to describe the feeling a bit of fighter-pilot, which is why he spends a lot of time talking about other subjects. Probably not one for die-hard aviation enthusiasts but will likely bring back sweet memories for armed forces veterans.

[Joel Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine book but the endless stories about getting pissed drunk started to wear thin. Generally though the F18 stories were awesome and a great insight into how the RAAF operates.

[Paveiv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes sad but mostly I just could not stop laughing, the description of various fighting styles when confronting pack of "gorillas" will always crack me up :-) If you are looking for a very funny easy to read book (which is surpsingly well written in my opinion) that is slightly more about fighter pilot shenanigans than the actual flying, you can´t go wrong

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart pounding, butt cheek clenching, adrenaline filled ride. Serge is a very funny and talented story teller. Behind this you find a very thoughtful and serious view of his job and the 'politics' that surround these extremely intelligent men who just want to do their job. I highly recommend this book.

[Pip Snort · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mac Tucker flew F-18s in the RAAF. He writes what appears to be an unvarnished account of his time as a pilot and gives a very small insight into his opinion of the quality and capabilities of the RAAF and the ADF. I am confident that his opinion and his account has been censored.

No doubt partially as a result, this is a somewhat disjointed account of the regular drunken exploits of a young australian fly boy and while impressive in his intelligence and capabilities, his story is dismal and disappointing. Nor is it funny.

[Simon Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grew up with a returned serviceman, and i've been around these types on and off all my life. An unapologetically [yet self-aware] blokey tale told well, occasionally veering into pathos, but mostly coated with thick lashings of bullshit. These are the sorts of yarns told to entertain over the third or fourth beer at the bar on a Friday night as the spring rolls, money bags and hot chips are laid out. Thanks for the yarn, Mac.

[Andries van Wyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really entertaining book. Easy to read and fun to read. The author gives good insight into what the pilots have to cope with and what they possibly could do. The book is very well written when considering the fact that he obviously could not disclose and mission details.
Ons of the chapters had me laughing so hard I had to read it over three evenings!

[Aaron White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Australia’s Top Gun

A great mix of facts, humour and memory recounts. An interested behind the scenes of Australia’s Air Force and a detail by detail feel of what it’s like inside a fighter cockpit. A great read!!!

[IVAN M. CONSIGLIO · Rating 5 out of 5]

great, amusing, raw and honest, sometimes emotional, could relate to lots of it having served in the military myself.

[Jani Pa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting view to the life of an Australian fighter pilot.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome..! Loved it..!

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book but I did get lost at times due to the technical speak. very entertaining never less

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it. Simple straight forward without unnecessary embroidery in detail. Nice to see something like this from an Australian perspective

[Therbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good insight into the life of a fighter pilot written with humour.

[Brett Manders · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it.