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Sams and Night Carrier Landings: Night Cat Night Trap
“This is a riveting account of the little-known but tragic early years of the Vietnam air war, seen through the eyes of courageous aviators who fought down their fears to face danger on a daily basis.” –Military Writers Society of America
Based on McLean’s real-life experiences as a Navy Crusader pilot, Night Cat Night Trap offers an unforgettable glimpse into the harrowing and heroic stories of airmen who risked—and often lost—their lives in the most lethal anti-aircraft environment ever known.
March 3, 1967. Beneath the cover of darkness, an aging warship thundered forward, launching its lethal payload—American fighters and dive-bombers—into skies thick with danger. Vietnamese missiles, relentless artillery fire, and Soviet-built MiG fighters lay in wait.
For young airmen embarking on their first missions, many would never return. Rescue operations for downed pilots bordered on suicide missions. Even the ship itself could be deadly with a single misstep on landing. Meanwhile, intelligence officials in Washington—safe in their distant offices—issued orders that sent men straight into death traps.
McLean brings these courageous warriors to life, immersing us in their triumphs, fears, heartbreaks, and the lasting scars of war that haunt Vietnam veterans and their families to this day.
Brutally accurate and deeply moving, Night Cat Night Trap is a must-read for all Americans.
Packed with gut-wrenching action, unbreakable brotherhood, and insurmountable odds, it tells the story of men whose sacrifices asked for no gratitude—yet paved the way for generations to come.
Based on McLean’s real-life experiences as a Navy Crusader pilot, Night Cat Night Trap offers an unforgettable glimpse into the harrowing and heroic stories of airmen who risked—and often lost—their lives in the most lethal anti-aircraft environment ever known.
March 3, 1967. Beneath the cover of darkness, an aging warship thundered forward, launching its lethal payload—American fighters and dive-bombers—into skies thick with danger. Vietnamese missiles, relentless artillery fire, and Soviet-built MiG fighters lay in wait.
For young airmen embarking on their first missions, many would never return. Rescue operations for downed pilots bordered on suicide missions. Even the ship itself could be deadly with a single misstep on landing. Meanwhile, intelligence officials in Washington—safe in their distant offices—issued orders that sent men straight into death traps.
McLean brings these courageous warriors to life, immersing us in their triumphs, fears, heartbreaks, and the lasting scars of war that haunt Vietnam veterans and their families to this day.
Brutally accurate and deeply moving, Night Cat Night Trap is a must-read for all Americans.
Packed with gut-wrenching action, unbreakable brotherhood, and insurmountable odds, it tells the story of men whose sacrifices asked for no gratitude—yet paved the way for generations to come.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2025
180 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Roland McLean
2 books15 followersAs a Navy Crusader pilot, I was fortunate to have part of a cruise (Navy for deployment) in the Mediterranean as well as Westpac where I did fly over Vietnam, but not during the period of the book when the anti aircraft fire was the most intense ever experienced in war. I spent many years writing this book, which I hope will help readers understand what the aviators in that era went through.
In my career I have worked in more than fifty different countries. I wrote a column for a Colorado newspaper for several years after retiring. I speak Spanish and Portuguese. I am currently writing two new novels. One is a political suspense story while the other is historical fiction on the Dirty War in Argentina, which I personally experienced. All my life I have written notes and plots in several notebooks and plan on using those for future novels.
In my career I have worked in more than fifty different countries. I wrote a column for a Colorado newspaper for several years after retiring. I speak Spanish and Portuguese. I am currently writing two new novels. One is a political suspense story while the other is historical fiction on the Dirty War in Argentina, which I personally experienced. All my life I have written notes and plots in several notebooks and plan on using those for future novels.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 25, 2025
Wrong title — truthful background!
The title of this could have very well been “Why?” Why we lost so many people in this war.! Why we lost so many aircraft and equipment in this war! Why we had so many bean counters in this war who knew nothing of combat tactics but were still making the calls in this war. And the ultimate, why we lost this war! Yes, we no more won than did the forty years the French put in there.
A media, filled with hate and emotión rather than facts and truths about the politicians making the calls fueling the uninformed 20 year olds.
Why not a Five Star rating? Because the author didn’t have the freedom of a fiction story line, he was bound to the truths of much of the story.
It brought back fond memories: the stop in Hawaii; the ports like Olongopo, Henry diving in “Sh1t River” for pesos or quarters; college degreed bar girls who couldn’t survive on a teacher’s salary; going to Baguio; the Hong Kong port call, a pair of brown Japhur boots from Mr. Lee, an Admin in Peninsula Hotel, eating at Jimmy’s Kitchen; trips down Rte 1, over Vinh, into the Rail yards in Hanoi, into Haiphong Harbor, working with FACs. And of course Cubi. Author McLean you did great with the truths with which you had to work. Night traps were tough but no worse than night plugs after six bolters and no bingo field. So what can you really say about the life of a carrier pilot — “It’s the most fun you can have with your pants on!” VR, Mags
The title of this could have very well been “Why?” Why we lost so many people in this war.! Why we lost so many aircraft and equipment in this war! Why we had so many bean counters in this war who knew nothing of combat tactics but were still making the calls in this war. And the ultimate, why we lost this war! Yes, we no more won than did the forty years the French put in there.
A media, filled with hate and emotión rather than facts and truths about the politicians making the calls fueling the uninformed 20 year olds.
Why not a Five Star rating? Because the author didn’t have the freedom of a fiction story line, he was bound to the truths of much of the story.
It brought back fond memories: the stop in Hawaii; the ports like Olongopo, Henry diving in “Sh1t River” for pesos or quarters; college degreed bar girls who couldn’t survive on a teacher’s salary; going to Baguio; the Hong Kong port call, a pair of brown Japhur boots from Mr. Lee, an Admin in Peninsula Hotel, eating at Jimmy’s Kitchen; trips down Rte 1, over Vinh, into the Rail yards in Hanoi, into Haiphong Harbor, working with FACs. And of course Cubi. Author McLean you did great with the truths with which you had to work. Night traps were tough but no worse than night plugs after six bolters and no bingo field. So what can you really say about the life of a carrier pilot — “It’s the most fun you can have with your pants on!” VR, Mags
May 15, 2025
This is another well written book describing "the tragedy of the Vietnam War". After 55+ years of reading and learning, I was still suprised and sickened by the stories in this book. A pointess war started by policticians and contested under ridiculous "rules" that hamstrung and hung out to dry our military forces in southeast Asia. Great underlying stories of how a Vietnam era Carrier Air Wing operated in combat on Yankee station but the futility of their efforts and losses, for Nothing, is disheartening.
May 25, 2025
Outstanding
Mr.McLean has written a magnificent novel. You will smile, tear up and feel happiness when pilots return from a strike. Watched F-8's fly in Beaufort, S.C. My father was Marine Radar Intercept (F-4's) Officer during Vietnam. His stories of the pilots and the squadron family life is true to life and brought out in this book. Knowing Navy and Marine pilots, II can say this was real life on the ship as described from those who lived it. Fantastic characters, well written and real. Hope to see more from Roland McLean soon.
Mr.McLean has written a magnificent novel. You will smile, tear up and feel happiness when pilots return from a strike. Watched F-8's fly in Beaufort, S.C. My father was Marine Radar Intercept (F-4's) Officer during Vietnam. His stories of the pilots and the squadron family life is true to life and brought out in this book. Knowing Navy and Marine pilots, II can say this was real life on the ship as described from those who lived it. Fantastic characters, well written and real. Hope to see more from Roland McLean soon.
June 18, 2025
War Stories
Super job of telling a story of what some of our aviators went through in Vietnamese. What I liked was the telling of our stupid McNamara pentagon era civilians and the politicians that tried to run the war. It is no telling how many airmen and ground troops died because of them.
Super job of telling a story of what some of our aviators went through in Vietnamese. What I liked was the telling of our stupid McNamara pentagon era civilians and the politicians that tried to run the war. It is no telling how many airmen and ground troops died because of them.
October 9, 2025
good book on naval aviation in Vietnam
The author has written a compelling book on life on an aircraft carrier during war time situations. I highly recommend this book. All the details of flying a supersonic jet off of a carrier are in the book, as well as the names of those lost or captured.
The author has written a compelling book on life on an aircraft carrier during war time situations. I highly recommend this book. All the details of flying a supersonic jet off of a carrier are in the book, as well as the names of those lost or captured.
February 20, 2025
Outstanding
USAF F-4/F111WSO . This was outstanding . The reaction to the micro management
these guys went thru was obvious when we flew in Desert Storm. Whatever else, the higher ups weren't going to let that buffoonery happen again
USAF F-4/F111WSO . This was outstanding . The reaction to the micro management
these guys went thru was obvious when we flew in Desert Storm. Whatever else, the higher ups weren't going to let that buffoonery happen again
July 10, 2025
Great story telling
I have read hundreds of kindle books, and never one with more typos and punctuation errors!!! I can't believe a proof reader couldn't have been found. Major distraction!!
I have read hundreds of kindle books, and never one with more typos and punctuation errors!!! I can't believe a proof reader couldn't have been found. Major distraction!!
August 24, 2025
Viet Nam was no picnic for anyone. We the Vietnamese shooting at us from the outside and we had McNamara shooting at us from the inside. This book gives us a glimpse of what that was like. Well done.
October 1, 2025
A good flying story with a personal touch
Can be very intense at times but the writer brings out the personal side of the characters. The combat flying he describes in excellent detail makes the reader feel as if they were there.
Can be very intense at times but the writer brings out the personal side of the characters. The combat flying he describes in excellent detail makes the reader feel as if they were there.
October 31, 2025
enjoyed this book
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that he never stops writing. His books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that he never stops writing. His books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
Read
February 1, 2025great look at Nava; aviation
June 6, 2025
Was an okay read.
September 26, 2025
Great Story
These stories absolutely need to be told! The way our involvement in Vietnam was handled is a history that does not need to be repeated!
These stories absolutely need to be told! The way our involvement in Vietnam was handled is a history that does not need to be repeated!
September 30, 2025
This was an Outstanding novel! Man did it ever bring back memories of being in a squadron in the Gulf of Tonkin!
October 13, 2025
Well done detailed intricate narrative and drama of carrier based squadron in air battles and missions during the Vietnam war.
November 9, 2025
Plane Talk
Have read quite a bit of World War II aviation material. This was a first to read about Vietnam and carrier tactics, missions, etc. Very well written.
Have read quite a bit of World War II aviation material. This was a first to read about Vietnam and carrier tactics, missions, etc. Very well written.
May 20, 2025
Outstanding book about Naval Aviation and the Vietnam war. This author really know what he is talking about. One of the best book about the US Navy Carrier Aviation.
I highly recommend this book.
I highly recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews