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Pilot Error
It is 1964, and Chris Nash is 20. His mother is married to Reg, whom Chris thinks is his father. He is therefore astonished when she tells him that his real father was a pilot, John Gregson, killed during the 2nd World War in an accident training Australian air crews. Chris sets out to discover more about the little-known incident. He tracks down his father’s only living relative, and visits the site of the crash, near a small church in Bedfordshire. In flashback we see what happened to Gregson during the three days before the accident. He conducted his last bombing flight over Germany, and was seduced by an actress called Sarah. He visited his fiancée (Chris’s mother), who broke off their engagement; unknown to him she was pregnant with Chris.To commemorate the airmen who died in the crash, Chris organises a memorial stone in the Bedfordshire churchyard, and a church service. To his amazement a surprise guest turns an Australian who was the one survivor. In talking to local people who were involved in the accident, and to his father's former engineer, Chris comes to believe there were seven airmen on the plane, not six as previously believed. And when he locates Sarah, the actress who seduced his father 20 years earlier, she tells him something that plays havoc with the lives of his whole family.
189 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 21, 2018
Incredible Story
Most of the "Greatest Generation" who survived the war came home to the cheers of their grateful countrymen, parades, and family gatherings. When all the noise and clamoring stopped and the soldier returned to once again take up the life he'd left as a civilian, when everything was supposed to return to normal was when the trouble started. It was the war that everyone at home was talking about while the soldier was living it, that reared its ugly head and the nightmares started.
This book is an interesting variation on that theme. A soldier comes home and by a strange set of circumstances begins. This was probably a version of Tom Hanks' film "Castaway" with a different ending.
Most of the "Greatest Generation" who survived the war came home to the cheers of their grateful countrymen, parades, and family gatherings. When all the noise and clamoring stopped and the soldier returned to once again take up the life he'd left as a civilian, when everything was supposed to return to normal was when the trouble started. It was the war that everyone at home was talking about while the soldier was living it, that reared its ugly head and the nightmares started.
This book is an interesting variation on that theme. A soldier comes home and by a strange set of circumstances begins. This was probably a version of Tom Hanks' film "Castaway" with a different ending.
June 1, 2018
Proof reader wanted
Very good story,spoiled for me( a professional pilot) by technical inaccuracies. You certainly don't have full right rudder on with the right engines failed on any aircraft. Spiral dive is the inevitable result. It is 231 Operational, not Occupational Conversion Unit!
Very good story,spoiled for me( a professional pilot) by technical inaccuracies. You certainly don't have full right rudder on with the right engines failed on any aircraft. Spiral dive is the inevitable result. It is 231 Operational, not Occupational Conversion Unit!
May 2, 2019
Be careful what you try to dig up
This book, even tho fictional, probably happened time and time again. Especially during the war. A couple are serious, boy sent across the sea, gets lonely, meets girl. The girl, at home, is with child, doesn't tell. Life interferes and lives get muddled. Good ending!!
This book, even tho fictional, probably happened time and time again. Especially during the war. A couple are serious, boy sent across the sea, gets lonely, meets girl. The girl, at home, is with child, doesn't tell. Life interferes and lives get muddled. Good ending!!
November 6, 2018
Very good to read there will others who did similar things
But most will be dead now taking their secret with them.A lot of people had to keep silent about events that took place during the war.
But most will be dead now taking their secret with them.A lot of people had to keep silent about events that took place during the war.
June 15, 2021
Excellent story about the the second world War Time and the 60's One of the books I couldn't put down, was well written unexpected twists and turns in every chapter an enchanting journey. I'm shore a lot more of the war time relationship between people went the same way.
April 13, 2022
Refreshingly different.rent
A very involved and compelling plot involving humour, intrigue and passion. Just a small matter, Bassingbourne is in Cambridgeshire and not Bedfordshire, though close to the Hertfordshire border. Royston.
A very involved and compelling plot involving humour, intrigue and passion. Just a small matter, Bassingbourne is in Cambridgeshire and not Bedfordshire, though close to the Hertfordshire border. Royston.
May 5, 2022
A WELL CONSTRUCTED READ
I was sucked into the narrative quite quickly. It was an easy read, simple, a good story well told. I had empathy with the main characters who held the tale together.
I was sucked into the narrative quite quickly. It was an easy read, simple, a good story well told. I had empathy with the main characters who held the tale together.
February 11, 2019
Absolutely brilliant, really enjoyed it.
It's simply a great book. It sets the scene of 1960 era England perfectly. I will definitely be buying more from David spiller
It's simply a great book. It sets the scene of 1960 era England perfectly. I will definitely be buying more from David spiller
May 12, 2020
An excellent piececof fiction telling of the stresses of WW2 long range bomber crews and the aftermath . It tells of the live and heartbreak of the period and its effect on modern life.
February 8, 2021
An excellent addictive read. Loved the sections describing the Lancaster in action.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews