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THE ROYAL FLYING CORPS FILES eight gripping World War I adventures of aerial courage and ambition
GET *EIGHT* EPIC TALES OF COURAGE AND AMBITION IN DEADLY SKIES IN ONE BOX SET.
‘A valuable history of the air war that began it all . . . by an ex-flyer of the Second World War.’ The Birmingham Post
‘His sympathy with the fighting man (and woman) shines out of every page.’ Liverpool Daily Post
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Great read!’ Colin S.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Excellent book again about RFC in the First World War.’ Mr R.J. and Mrs C.
1914: A NEW KIND OF WARRIOR HAS EMERGED — THE FLYING ACE.
Follow the men of the Royal Flying Corps as they reach new heights and fight for their lives in an age when aviation was new, deadly and gloriously unregulated. From the muddy fields of France to the burning deserts of Mesopotamia, enjoy relentless action, sharp psychological insight and unforgettable characters in a war where every take-off might be your last.
Richard Townshend Bickers, an RAF veteran, delivers richly detailed stories of the early days of war in the air. Perfect for fans of W.E. Johns, Derek Robinson, Patrick Bishop, Robert Jackson and Russell Sullman.
IN THIS
The Fire of Spring Michael Halahan, a privileged and ambitious young man, begins his wartime journey on a cricket field in England — but when war breaks out, he joins the Royal Flying Corps. As a pilot, Halahan quickly climbs the ranks, not just through skill but through cunning and a willingness to bend the rules. As he transforms from gentleman athlete to hardened airman, the war reveals the brutal truth behind medals and honour.
Death Defying Lieutenant Allen, a Sopwith 1½ Strutter pilot, becomes one of the first to master the dangerous spin recovery technique. In battles against the deadly Fokker Eindeckers, Allen must use his ingenuity and raw nerve to survive the relentless brutality of dogfights and aerial ambushes above France.
Dusk Patrol Stuck with their pre-war box-kites — the BE2, Avro 504 and Farman — the Royal Flying Corps watch helplessly as the Germans gain a temporary advantage with their superior flying machines. For two new pilots, Nick Boyd and Elliot Holt, surviving the war will require more than learning to fly. They will have to become flying aces to outgun the enemy.
The Bloodied Hawks Squadron Commander Edward Buchan, a battle-weary leader of Sopwith Pups, is matched with a new batman with a dark past and a violent thirst for vengeance. But when faced with a deadly German ace, he must act quickly to defeat the enemy in a dramatic battle.
The Thundering Line Major Wyatt is newly in command of No. 99 Squadron. As German Albatros fighters dominate the skies, he pushes his squadron to the limits in a desperate attempt to protect ground forces. The cost of failure is high and Major Wyatt is determined not to waste young lives.
Take Off Mike Halahan is sent to the Mesopotamian front where he schemes, shoots and seduces his way through an unforgiving theatre of war. As he betrays comrades and manipulates superiors, his daring missions lead to medals and a promotion — but the cost is measured in shattered lives.
Night Raiders Major Eric Yardley and his team are experimenting with an innovative, yet highly dangerous, mission — night bombing.
‘A valuable history of the air war that began it all . . . by an ex-flyer of the Second World War.’ The Birmingham Post
‘His sympathy with the fighting man (and woman) shines out of every page.’ Liverpool Daily Post
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Great read!’ Colin S.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Excellent book again about RFC in the First World War.’ Mr R.J. and Mrs C.
1914: A NEW KIND OF WARRIOR HAS EMERGED — THE FLYING ACE.
Follow the men of the Royal Flying Corps as they reach new heights and fight for their lives in an age when aviation was new, deadly and gloriously unregulated. From the muddy fields of France to the burning deserts of Mesopotamia, enjoy relentless action, sharp psychological insight and unforgettable characters in a war where every take-off might be your last.
Richard Townshend Bickers, an RAF veteran, delivers richly detailed stories of the early days of war in the air. Perfect for fans of W.E. Johns, Derek Robinson, Patrick Bishop, Robert Jackson and Russell Sullman.
IN THIS
The Fire of Spring Michael Halahan, a privileged and ambitious young man, begins his wartime journey on a cricket field in England — but when war breaks out, he joins the Royal Flying Corps. As a pilot, Halahan quickly climbs the ranks, not just through skill but through cunning and a willingness to bend the rules. As he transforms from gentleman athlete to hardened airman, the war reveals the brutal truth behind medals and honour.
Death Defying Lieutenant Allen, a Sopwith 1½ Strutter pilot, becomes one of the first to master the dangerous spin recovery technique. In battles against the deadly Fokker Eindeckers, Allen must use his ingenuity and raw nerve to survive the relentless brutality of dogfights and aerial ambushes above France.
Dusk Patrol Stuck with their pre-war box-kites — the BE2, Avro 504 and Farman — the Royal Flying Corps watch helplessly as the Germans gain a temporary advantage with their superior flying machines. For two new pilots, Nick Boyd and Elliot Holt, surviving the war will require more than learning to fly. They will have to become flying aces to outgun the enemy.
The Bloodied Hawks Squadron Commander Edward Buchan, a battle-weary leader of Sopwith Pups, is matched with a new batman with a dark past and a violent thirst for vengeance. But when faced with a deadly German ace, he must act quickly to defeat the enemy in a dramatic battle.
The Thundering Line Major Wyatt is newly in command of No. 99 Squadron. As German Albatros fighters dominate the skies, he pushes his squadron to the limits in a desperate attempt to protect ground forces. The cost of failure is high and Major Wyatt is determined not to waste young lives.
Take Off Mike Halahan is sent to the Mesopotamian front where he schemes, shoots and seduces his way through an unforgiving theatre of war. As he betrays comrades and manipulates superiors, his daring missions lead to medals and a promotion — but the cost is measured in shattered lives.
Night Raiders Major Eric Yardley and his team are experimenting with an innovative, yet highly dangerous, mission — night bombing.
1420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 9, 2025
229 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Richard Townshend Bickers
85 books14 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 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 19, 2026
A great series of books👍
I have devoured all eight of these books in one go - they have made good reading. I initially assumed that they would lead from one to another - but not so, as they are eight separate titles, each with a different cast of characters and a different setting. The aircraft and flying sequences make good reading. They are well researched and this author clearly knows his subject. There's a romantic element in each too, which I found less enjoyable, but it does keep the story flowing. If you are into your WW1 era flying, you will enjoy these books.
I have devoured all eight of these books in one go - they have made good reading. I initially assumed that they would lead from one to another - but not so, as they are eight separate titles, each with a different cast of characters and a different setting. The aircraft and flying sequences make good reading. They are well researched and this author clearly knows his subject. There's a romantic element in each too, which I found less enjoyable, but it does keep the story flowing. If you are into your WW1 era flying, you will enjoy these books.
September 19, 2025
Super good read!!
Best World War One flying stories I've come across yet! I enjoyed the approach of separate "files" to tie four years of conflict and tactical and technological changes together with the personal stories of the individual pilots, observers, and civilians. First time in many years of reading I was sorry to reach the end of the adventures!!
Konrad.
Best World War One flying stories I've come across yet! I enjoyed the approach of separate "files" to tie four years of conflict and tactical and technological changes together with the personal stories of the individual pilots, observers, and civilians. First time in many years of reading I was sorry to reach the end of the adventures!!
Konrad.
September 23, 2025
Mixed opinion
I found the war part of the story interesting. However, the personal escapades were not to my taste in reading. Too graphic and inappropriate. Plus they added nothing to the story in my opinion.
I found the war part of the story interesting. However, the personal escapades were not to my taste in reading. Too graphic and inappropriate. Plus they added nothing to the story in my opinion.
September 5, 2025
wonderful
Great read thank you. Enjoyed all the titles. Read back to back. Hard to pit down. Ww1 came to life
Great read thank you. Enjoyed all the titles. Read back to back. Hard to pit down. Ww1 came to life
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews