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TROUBLE IN THE WIND a WW1 aviation action adventure thriller
Before the dogfights, before the legends—there was the birth of aerial combat
It is September 1914. The Great War has begun—but for Lieutenant Andrew Aird, his Royal Flying Corps squadron is still grounded in England. Frustrated by inaction while others fight and fall, Aird longs for the chance to prove himself above the trenches of France.
When the call finally comes, he joins the fledgling air war—a chaotic realm of unarmed reconnaissance, mechanical failure, and a sky where rules have yet to be written. Flying over shattered fields and burning towns, Aird witnesses the brutal transformation of cavalry warfare into a new kind of battle fought from the clouds.
As he navigates rivalries, near-death experiences, and brushes with German Taubes in the sky, Aird finds himself growing into a leader, caught between the traditions of his past and the uncharted future of aerial combat.
Richard Townshend Bickers, himself an RAF veteran, delivers a richly detailed, quietly compelling novel of the early days of war in the air—a world before dogfights, where every flight might be your last.
Perfect for fans of Derek Robinson, Patrick Bishop, Cecil Lewis, and historical military fiction that balances technical detail with deep character insight.
PRAISE FOR RICHARD TOWNSHEND
‘A thrilling page turner,’ Tom Kasey, bestselling author of The Trade Off
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Great read!’ Colin S.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I enjoyed all three books.’ Llewellyn
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Excellent book again about RFC in the First World War.’ Mr R.J. and Mrs C.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I liked the perspective of the English, German and French fliers.’ Randall M.
It is September 1914. The Great War has begun—but for Lieutenant Andrew Aird, his Royal Flying Corps squadron is still grounded in England. Frustrated by inaction while others fight and fall, Aird longs for the chance to prove himself above the trenches of France.
When the call finally comes, he joins the fledgling air war—a chaotic realm of unarmed reconnaissance, mechanical failure, and a sky where rules have yet to be written. Flying over shattered fields and burning towns, Aird witnesses the brutal transformation of cavalry warfare into a new kind of battle fought from the clouds.
As he navigates rivalries, near-death experiences, and brushes with German Taubes in the sky, Aird finds himself growing into a leader, caught between the traditions of his past and the uncharted future of aerial combat.
Richard Townshend Bickers, himself an RAF veteran, delivers a richly detailed, quietly compelling novel of the early days of war in the air—a world before dogfights, where every flight might be your last.
Perfect for fans of Derek Robinson, Patrick Bishop, Cecil Lewis, and historical military fiction that balances technical detail with deep character insight.
PRAISE FOR RICHARD TOWNSHEND
‘A thrilling page turner,’ Tom Kasey, bestselling author of The Trade Off
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Great read!’ Colin S.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I enjoyed all three books.’ Llewellyn
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Excellent book again about RFC in the First World War.’ Mr R.J. and Mrs C.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I liked the perspective of the English, German and French fliers.’ Randall M.
- GenresWorld War I
183 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 10, 2025
About the author
Richard Townshend Bickers
82 books15 followersRichard Leslie Townshend Bickers has written more books about the RAF and its predecessor, the RFC, than any other author past or present - some under a pseudonym. Being multilingual, he does his own research in foreign archives and by interviews and correspondence. His short stories and newspaper articles were first published and broadcast while he was a serving RAF officer. By the time he left the RAF his first four novels had appeared. His biography of his friend "Ginger" Lacey, the top-scoring pilot in the Battle of Britain, was published to acclaim in 1962.Bickers volunteered for the RAF on the outbreak of war and served, with a Permanent Commission, for eighteen years. In England he operated with Fighter and Coastal Commands; in North Africa and Italy with Desert Air Force and Mediterranean Allied Coastal Air Force. After the war he did a tour in Hong Kong and Malaya.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 25, 2025
How “True” World Wars began with all their devastation
Rocks, sticks, spears, bows and arrows, swords, single shot “guns”, cannons, rapid fire guns, poisons, armored vehicles on land and sea, all evolved and still evolving, and then air vehicles including balloons and aircraft. And now missiles, jets and guided drones of all shapes and sizes. Warfare, to man’s folly, evolves. And “leaders” who bring on the wars cause immense damage to their “enemies” and their own country’s citizens. Unbearable misery, pain and suffering, all for “country”, but really for ego and man’s worst instincts and behavior. This book is about the beginning of air “warfare”, its glory and its pain and the men, mostly, who fought it and saw it evolve in a few short years. It tells of their lives, attitudes, behavior and loss along with PTSD in its years before it was named, even though it didn’t dwell on it or even define it much. It’s a great story of air war, war in general and the coming “trouble in the wind”…the Great War that was to become the First World War, and the start of many more “world” wars. Read it, enjoy it and then think about mankind’s history and its future.
Rocks, sticks, spears, bows and arrows, swords, single shot “guns”, cannons, rapid fire guns, poisons, armored vehicles on land and sea, all evolved and still evolving, and then air vehicles including balloons and aircraft. And now missiles, jets and guided drones of all shapes and sizes. Warfare, to man’s folly, evolves. And “leaders” who bring on the wars cause immense damage to their “enemies” and their own country’s citizens. Unbearable misery, pain and suffering, all for “country”, but really for ego and man’s worst instincts and behavior. This book is about the beginning of air “warfare”, its glory and its pain and the men, mostly, who fought it and saw it evolve in a few short years. It tells of their lives, attitudes, behavior and loss along with PTSD in its years before it was named, even though it didn’t dwell on it or even define it much. It’s a great story of air war, war in general and the coming “trouble in the wind”…the Great War that was to become the First World War, and the start of many more “world” wars. Read it, enjoy it and then think about mankind’s history and its future.
March 2, 2026
Trouble in the Air
This story is a solid, well-written account of RAF pilots in World War I at the onset of a new kind of air warfare. The author delves into the aircraft's technical details and the tactics employed by the pilots. The narrative features engaging characters that draw readers into the story, vividly depicting the war in France with all its horrific details and the devastating losses that ensued.
The atmosphere of desperation and exhaustion permeates the narrative as the men bravely continue to fight against overwhelming odds. This tale focuses on heroes, many of whom are largely unknown, who battled in this novel form of warfare amidst challenging circumstances.
"Trouble in the Air" is a compelling read.
This story is a solid, well-written account of RAF pilots in World War I at the onset of a new kind of air warfare. The author delves into the aircraft's technical details and the tactics employed by the pilots. The narrative features engaging characters that draw readers into the story, vividly depicting the war in France with all its horrific details and the devastating losses that ensued.
The atmosphere of desperation and exhaustion permeates the narrative as the men bravely continue to fight against overwhelming odds. This tale focuses on heroes, many of whom are largely unknown, who battled in this novel form of warfare amidst challenging circumstances.
"Trouble in the Air" is a compelling read.
May 1, 2025
Becoming “ungentlemen”
A rather deep psychological study of one man enduring the changes in modern warfare. Any way you look at it it becomes hell! Poison gas, armed aero planes. Machine guns. Flak guns. Good plot. Mostly well written though it drags a bit in spots. Focus on only a few characters. Good reading.
A rather deep psychological study of one man enduring the changes in modern warfare. Any way you look at it it becomes hell! Poison gas, armed aero planes. Machine guns. Flak guns. Good plot. Mostly well written though it drags a bit in spots. Focus on only a few characters. Good reading.
September 11, 2025
Solid, well-written and -edited story of RFC pilots in early WW1. Interesting characters and settings, very well researched, didn't want to put it down.
A few typos, and occasionally the author talks about what things will be like later in the war, which pulled me out of the story. All in all, a good read, and clearly the start of a series.
A few typos, and occasionally the author talks about what things will be like later in the war, which pulled me out of the story. All in all, a good read, and clearly the start of a series.
October 6, 2025
Early technology
I enjoyed the technical aspects which the author wrote about with considerable knowledge, perhaps for the future he could consider the point of view as seen from the enemy? A good read never the less. I look forward to reading further books.
I enjoyed the technical aspects which the author wrote about with considerable knowledge, perhaps for the future he could consider the point of view as seen from the enemy? A good read never the less. I look forward to reading further books.
May 30, 2026
I thought the subject would be interesting. It turns out that the author is able to fill pages and pages whilst saying nothing.
The main character is not very likeable, the other characters are one dimensional at best.
I wanted to like this book, sadly not.
The main character is not very likeable, the other characters are one dimensional at best.
I wanted to like this book, sadly not.
May 17, 2025
Very good
A well written book plenty of insight to the start of the first World war and how things progressed .
A well written book plenty of insight to the start of the first World war and how things progressed .
September 8, 2025
Very good history on how the airplane transitions from a passive tool to an aggressive weapon. Sometimes a little wordy but all in all, a good read.
November 17, 2025
Enjoyable tale WW1 Early Avaiton
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews