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Typhoon Pilot
A decorated WWII flying ace and Royal Air Force Group Captain recounts his experience in the air over Europe in this thrilling military memoir. New Zealand fighter pilot Desmond Scott joined the Royal Air Force in 1940. Over the course of his illustrious service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar, and a Distinguished Service Order. For the heroic act of rescuing a pilot from a crashed Supermarine Spitfire, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. In Typhoon Pilot, Scott recounts his time as a young commander of a New Zealand Air Force squadron, and later as the RAF's youngest Group Captain at the age of 25. His story includes conflict in the air over Normandy, Belgium, Holland and Germany, where the Hawker Typhoon fighter-bomber fought its last battle.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1982
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 9, 2018
This was a wonderful read that describes the life of a Typhoon pilot during WWII. The author discusses, in detail, life at the various air stations, flying and fighting in the typhoon, and the personalities of the different pilots he flew with during the war. He also illustrates the losses felt during operations, with Typhoon pilots only having a 50% survival rate.
This is a no-holds-barred look at flying and fighting in WWII, whilst also capturing the lighter side of life during war.
This is a no-holds-barred look at flying and fighting in WWII, whilst also capturing the lighter side of life during war.
October 15, 2024
Disappointing. The author clearly had an exceptional record but I found him a bit self centered --thing like "none of the pilots would have hesitated to follow me into the thickest of flak" [I paraphrase from memory]. Maybe it was intended as a compliment to those pilots but it read as a compliment from himself to himself. But it is reasonably well written and after all the Spitfire and Tempest pilot books it is interesting to find someone who made such a niche career out of a job that most pilots didn't want. Partly because the Typhoon wasn't a patch on its sibling the Tempest and partly because by 1944 ground attack was many times more dangerous than tootling around the upper altitudes shooting down Luftwaffe. So kudos to the author for his bravery and success if not his modesty.
January 13, 2022
Not really a novel
This story is really nothing but a group of memories concerning the war no will or it's the war no real order it tried to start off chronologically but kept it right a lit's bad a lot double the date throughout bottom line was it's very interesting but it's like what's like listening to an old war vet tell war stories by the fireplace if that's a good thing it's a good story
This story is really nothing but a group of memories concerning the war no will or it's the war no real order it tried to start off chronologically but kept it right a lit's bad a lot double the date throughout bottom line was it's very interesting but it's like what's like listening to an old war vet tell war stories by the fireplace if that's a good thing it's a good story
February 27, 2023
Solid record of the Typhoon in WWII.
Desmond Scott was a Wing Commander in the 2nd Air Force right at the height of the rocket carrying Typhoons exploits in Normandy and through the end of the war. As a US Navy pilot myself, I found his combat descriptions vivid and accurate. He seemed like a humble man and good man. And he survived his long tour flying "Tiffys" when very few did!I
Where do we find such men!
Desmond Scott was a Wing Commander in the 2nd Air Force right at the height of the rocket carrying Typhoons exploits in Normandy and through the end of the war. As a US Navy pilot myself, I found his combat descriptions vivid and accurate. He seemed like a humble man and good man. And he survived his long tour flying "Tiffys" when very few did!I
Where do we find such men!
June 23, 2019
Typhoons at work
I gave this book five star simply because it is warranted. It tells the story of the Hawker Typhoons from the pilot's view, these aircraft, until the advent of its y
Tells the story of the fastest fighter bomber in ww2, until the advent of its much younger and faster Tempest, both built by Hawker aircraft. 5 stars because it is worth it!
I gave this book five star simply because it is warranted. It tells the story of the Hawker Typhoons from the pilot's view, these aircraft, until the advent of its y
Tells the story of the fastest fighter bomber in ww2, until the advent of its much younger and faster Tempest, both built by Hawker aircraft. 5 stars because it is worth it!
May 29, 2020
Feeling as well as facts
The casualty rates in bomber command are well known but the bravery and losses of the ground attack Typhoon squadrons are not. These men pressed on on in a not all together reliable plane to develop close ground support flying into the most fearsome of weapons indispensable to any nation today. The bravery of these men was astounding. A very good read.
The casualty rates in bomber command are well known but the bravery and losses of the ground attack Typhoon squadrons are not. These men pressed on on in a not all together reliable plane to develop close ground support flying into the most fearsome of weapons indispensable to any nation today. The bravery of these men was astounding. A very good read.
August 13, 2023
A thoroughly excellent read
This book is a hidden gem for any WW2 aviation enthusiast. Not for the dogfighting or rocket attack entries but for the human touch the author writes in his account of his experience through the war. Simply put, on the best reads I've had for a long time
This book is a hidden gem for any WW2 aviation enthusiast. Not for the dogfighting or rocket attack entries but for the human touch the author writes in his account of his experience through the war. Simply put, on the best reads I've had for a long time
November 11, 2023
Typhoon Pilot
Wonderfully authentic take on the use and versatility of the Hawker Typhoon, a magnificent, unsung hero of an aircraft. Too little is written of the contributions of the aircraft and, of course, its courageous pilots. Similar books spotlighting the Tempest, Avro Lancaster & Mosquito would be appreciated.
Wonderfully authentic take on the use and versatility of the Hawker Typhoon, a magnificent, unsung hero of an aircraft. Too little is written of the contributions of the aircraft and, of course, its courageous pilots. Similar books spotlighting the Tempest, Avro Lancaster & Mosquito would be appreciated.
May 9, 2025
An enjoyable read. The author gives a day to day account of the high risk life of a Typhoon pilot.
He has quite a high opinion of himself, but with a lot to have a high opinion about!
We were lucky that his generation contained enough people like himself to defend us against Hitler.
He has quite a high opinion of himself, but with a lot to have a high opinion about!
We were lucky that his generation contained enough people like himself to defend us against Hitler.
August 14, 2017
Could not be better
The role of the Typhoon expressed perfectly.
Kiwis proven to be the backbone of empire pilots.
A story of true bravery.
The role of the Typhoon expressed perfectly.
Kiwis proven to be the backbone of empire pilots.
A story of true bravery.
September 12, 2019
Fantastic
I was in the cockpit every time they took off, thoroughly enjoyable reading I would recommend this anyone who enjoys a good story
I was in the cockpit every time they took off, thoroughly enjoyable reading I would recommend this anyone who enjoys a good story
October 6, 2019
Typhoon Pilot
A fascinating book, patularly for one of my age. I was a schoolboy when all the was going on.
I
A fascinating book, patularly for one of my age. I was a schoolboy when all the was going on.
I
May 22, 2021
A very personal and opinionated bio of a Typhoon pilot. I first encountered this book as a high school student and was inspired to look it up recently. Wasn’t disappointed.
January 27, 2022
Worth reading.
Well written, a history lesson different from the typical stories written by fighter pilots. Enjoyable reading. A different perspective for a history buff.
Well written, a history lesson different from the typical stories written by fighter pilots. Enjoyable reading. A different perspective for a history buff.
March 28, 2022
Very good and readable account of flying the Typhoon in the UK and in Europe... Poignant and also to the point.
April 28, 2022
One man's story.
Close air support in the Typhoon. The life and times of British pilots pre invasion to the end of the war.
Close air support in the Typhoon. The life and times of British pilots pre invasion to the end of the war.
July 21, 2022
Who crescendo meets who!
This is not a flying story, just a who's who. I lost all interest by chapter 3. It's good bye time!
This is not a flying story, just a who's who. I lost all interest by chapter 3. It's good bye time!
March 28, 2024
Great read of a phase of WWII that is often ignored
July 8, 2025
An absolute must read!
A story that needs to be told! Aviation history at its finest. My son’s name is Desmond. Unsung heroes of the RAF.
A story that needs to be told! Aviation history at its finest. My son’s name is Desmond. Unsung heroes of the RAF.
May 25, 2025
A good read.
November 23, 2013
A haunting and chilling account of flying and fighting in World War II where the life expectancy of pilots posted to ground attack Typhoon units was not good with many not surviving their tours. One second you are diving through flak grimly waiting to fire your rockets and the next your aircraft could be a flaming ball of fire, wings folding up around the fuselage as you plummet helplessly and violently to your death. Yet men in their teens and twenties flew in these conditions every day surrounded by death. Throw in the responsibility of being a Squadron and then Wing Leader and the pressure is multiplied tenfold. This book provides a glimpse into this world and I can only shudder with fear and almost disbelieving admiration and sadness for those that lived or died through this period in our history.
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April 21, 2019The courage shown by the wartime pilots in World War 2 is almost beyond belief. This book by Kiwi Desmond Scott tells that story. It is an excellent book. Easy to follow, great descriptions of the action and tells the story of some of the pilots who flew the Typhoon fighter aircraft. Clearly Scott, who must have been very competent pilot was also been a very able administrator as his career shows a succession of promotions. He also writes so well it is a pity that Desmond Scott didn't write more books of his wartime experiences but my Google search only reveals one other - One more Hour -and I can't find that on Kindle. Such a shame.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews