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Spitfires Rising: A WWII aviation thriller in the lead up to Dunkirk...
An exciting new wartime adventure series! Perfect for fans of Derek Robinson, James Holland, Frank Barnard and Jack Higgins.
A young pilot is thrust into the raging skies of war …
1938
Having been raised on a farm, young New Zealander John Noble longs for an adventure away from his family’s homestead.
Enthralled by the sight of a Tiger Moth flying overhead, he decides to pursue a career as an RAF pilot and travels to the United Kingdom to complete his training.
After receiving his Wings, John is sent to RAF Catterick, where he finds himself flying the formidable Spitfire.
When tensions in Europe reach breaking point and Britain declares war on Germany, John’s training and courage are put to the ultimate test.
As the squadron prepares to face the Luftwaffe, John starts to question the effectiveness of their tactics, leading to clashes with senior officers.
And as his missions grow ever more dangerous, John wonders just how far he should go trying to persuade the squadron hierarchy that change is needed…
Is John ready for battle? Will he follow orders, even though he thinks they may have disastrous consequences for him and his fellow squadron pilots?
Or is he destined to become another casualty of war…?
SPITFIRES RISING is the first book in the John Noble Fighter Ace Thrillers action-packed military adventures following an RAF pilot during the Second World War.
JOHN NOBLE FIGHTER ACE
BOOK 1: Spitfires Rising
BOOK 2: Defying The Odds
A young pilot is thrust into the raging skies of war …
1938
Having been raised on a farm, young New Zealander John Noble longs for an adventure away from his family’s homestead.
Enthralled by the sight of a Tiger Moth flying overhead, he decides to pursue a career as an RAF pilot and travels to the United Kingdom to complete his training.
After receiving his Wings, John is sent to RAF Catterick, where he finds himself flying the formidable Spitfire.
When tensions in Europe reach breaking point and Britain declares war on Germany, John’s training and courage are put to the ultimate test.
As the squadron prepares to face the Luftwaffe, John starts to question the effectiveness of their tactics, leading to clashes with senior officers.
And as his missions grow ever more dangerous, John wonders just how far he should go trying to persuade the squadron hierarchy that change is needed…
Is John ready for battle? Will he follow orders, even though he thinks they may have disastrous consequences for him and his fellow squadron pilots?
Or is he destined to become another casualty of war…?
SPITFIRES RISING is the first book in the John Noble Fighter Ace Thrillers action-packed military adventures following an RAF pilot during the Second World War.
JOHN NOBLE FIGHTER ACE
BOOK 1: Spitfires Rising
BOOK 2: Defying The Odds
264 pages, Paperback
Published April 17, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 1, 2026
Typical Story regarding Battle of Britain
Great content describing the air combat. But these excerpts are brief. Dunkirk episodes are an example. It seems they just get there fly a few minutes than back to base.
Main character is an enigma. Author has described him as outgoing friendly person. But it’s amazing that being farm boy from New Zealand he has keen combat insight and his superiors are ignorant to combat situations. This confusing since none of characters have ever been in air combat. Yet the main character is the expert. In being so knowledgeable he locks horns with his inept superiors. A decent story but as stated action excerpts too brief.
Great content describing the air combat. But these excerpts are brief. Dunkirk episodes are an example. It seems they just get there fly a few minutes than back to base.
Main character is an enigma. Author has described him as outgoing friendly person. But it’s amazing that being farm boy from New Zealand he has keen combat insight and his superiors are ignorant to combat situations. This confusing since none of characters have ever been in air combat. Yet the main character is the expert. In being so knowledgeable he locks horns with his inept superiors. A decent story but as stated action excerpts too brief.
April 7, 2026
I have read several novels of this period of British history, and the Battle of Britain in particular. “Spitfire Rising” by David MacKenzie ranks as of the best. Excellent development of characters depicting the strengths and flaws in a most believable way. The main character, John Noble, is well developed. The action parts have you “leaning into the book”. I give this book a big “thumbs up” 🆙.
November 26, 2025
poorly written
I was looking for a story detailing the flying of a Spitfire in battle. There was some of that, but way too much chatter about other topics, repeated too many times. Too much conversations written in a rather amateurish way. Definitely not a thriller.
I was looking for a story detailing the flying of a Spitfire in battle. There was some of that, but way too much chatter about other topics, repeated too many times. Too much conversations written in a rather amateurish way. Definitely not a thriller.
November 27, 2025
Great Book
I really enjoyed reading Spitfire Rising. The book was fascinating and of course well written. When I was in the military, I also worked for an officer that was clueless on how to do the job but would not take advice from experienced NCO.
I really enjoyed reading Spitfire Rising. The book was fascinating and of course well written. When I was in the military, I also worked for an officer that was clueless on how to do the job but would not take advice from experienced NCO.
December 12, 2025
Fascinating reading!
As a retired fighter pilot, I found the descriptions of flying the Spitfire fascinating. The author's use of aerial maneuvers during fighting seemed accurate and appropriate to the situations. I immediately purchased the 2nd book in the series!
As a retired fighter pilot, I found the descriptions of flying the Spitfire fascinating. The author's use of aerial maneuvers during fighting seemed accurate and appropriate to the situations. I immediately purchased the 2nd book in the series!
January 29, 2026
I enjoyed the historical aspect and the descriptions of operating the Spitfires and the sorties over dunkirk. Otherwise read like a “boys own” adventure. A bit like a Blackadder episode without the humour
April 28, 2025
Great War book.
From the farm in New Zealand to the sky’s over Dunkirk John learns to fly, to fight and to survive.
From the farm in New Zealand to the sky’s over Dunkirk John learns to fly, to fight and to survive.
May 19, 2025
Great read
A well thought out book plenty of information on the main characters and a great insight into the flying a spit
A well thought out book plenty of information on the main characters and a great insight into the flying a spit
June 2, 2025
Boring book
There is entirely too much boring humdrum to make it good read! A little more consolidation of the training aspect would have helped.
There is entirely too much boring humdrum to make it good read! A little more consolidation of the training aspect would have helped.
September 29, 2025
Preparing for war
A more in-depth study of the requirements of learning to fly in WW2 was much appreciated by this reader. Ego doesn't equal leadership and talent!
A more in-depth study of the requirements of learning to fly in WW2 was much appreciated by this reader. Ego doesn't equal leadership and talent!
November 20, 2025
Good read
Written to make you feel like you’re there. Factual information delivered in a story which portrays people’s intertwining lives in a believable way.
Written to make you feel like you’re there. Factual information delivered in a story which portrays people’s intertwining lives in a believable way.
August 22, 2025
A slow but effective start for a new series.
A New Zealand native joins the RAF before WW2, and we follow him on his path to flying Spitfires. Outdated tactics and less than competent leadership are serious inhibitors to take into a war with the very experienced Luftwaffe. The Battle of Britain is about to begin which will make the “We Few” attitude of these fighter pilots essential for defending their homeland.
A New Zealand native joins the RAF before WW2, and we follow him on his path to flying Spitfires. Outdated tactics and less than competent leadership are serious inhibitors to take into a war with the very experienced Luftwaffe. The Battle of Britain is about to begin which will make the “We Few” attitude of these fighter pilots essential for defending their homeland.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews