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Fighter Pilot
Making History. The Home of 99p/99c History Books. After two years spent in the infantry at home and no sight of being posted overseas, William MacLanachan, later known simply as McScotch, followed the advice of a friend and applied to transfer into the Royal Flying Corps. Determined to become a single-seater, or “scout”, pilot, his ambition was fulfilled when he made it to the front, joining 40 (Scout) Squadron at Bruay in 1917. At this time, a fighter pilot’s “‘expectation of life’ was journalistically computed at three weeks. Amongst the men of 40 Squadron was Mick Mannock, who became a celebrated flying ace and an early theorist of aviation the two became close friends as war took its toll. It was Mannock who later dubbed him McScotch, in order to be able to distinguish between the two Macs under his command, and the name has endured. First published in 1936, ‘Fighter Pilot’ is a detailed and exciting account of squadron life in the latter years of the First World War, showing the true bravery and camaraderie of these early aviators and the effect that combat had on them. William MacLanachan, known as McScotch, was a flying ace of the First World War, credited with seven victories. He joined the Royal Flying Corps from the Army, being posted to No. 40 Squadron in the spring of 1917. His lucky mascot, a teddy bear called Scotch Jock, is displayed at the RAF Museum Cosford.
- GenresWorld War I
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 19, 2021
Originally published in 1936, "FIGHTER PILOT" is McScotch's recounting the highlights of his service on the Western Front between May and December 1917 as a fighter pilot with 40 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC).
This is a book that reveals much of the stresses, thrills, and perils of being a combat pilot, in addition to the relationships among squadron mates and ground crews who kept the planes flying. McScotch (his real name is William MacLanachan, a Scot) sheds considerable light on the relationship he had with Edward 'Mick' Mannock, who would go on to become Britain's top fighter ace of the First World War.
One of the most revealing missions McScotch describes took place deep inside the German lines. He was part of a flight of Nieuport fighters (later 40 Squadron would be equipped with the faster and better armed S.E.5A fighter, which did require some 'breaking in' owing to defective engines and armament - problems that were eventually remedied) that attacked a flight of German planes above an airfield. The attack was skillfully carried out, so much so that the entire enemy flight was shot down. What became clear to the pilots in McScotch's flight (including Mannock) was that the German planes were unarmed! Indeed, the German crews were trainee aviators. The realization only hit home after the attack had been carried out. So it was that upon returning to base, McScotch and his fellow pilots made an agreement among themselves that none of them would put in a claim for a kill because each pilot felt that what they had done --- even though perfectly legitimate under wartime conditions --- had amounted to murder.
McScotch was fortunate to have survived at the Front for as long as he had. Most RFC pilots that were sent to France at that stage of the war were lucky to last 3 weeks before being wounded, killed, or becoming a POW. The RFC had a policy of aggressively pursuing the enemy on his side of the lines. That explains why a lot of the air combat on the Western Front often took place above the trenches and deep behind the German lines.
Mannock would later return to France (this time in command of his own squadron) and would be killed in action in July 1918. As for McScotch (who was credited with shooting down 7 German planes), he states that "events happened which prevented my returning to France." I wish he would have gone on to describe what those events were.
"FIGHTER PILOT" is one of the best First World War pilot memoirs I've read. It gives the reader a palpable and poignant feel for what life at the Front was really like for a combat pilot.
This is a book that reveals much of the stresses, thrills, and perils of being a combat pilot, in addition to the relationships among squadron mates and ground crews who kept the planes flying. McScotch (his real name is William MacLanachan, a Scot) sheds considerable light on the relationship he had with Edward 'Mick' Mannock, who would go on to become Britain's top fighter ace of the First World War.
One of the most revealing missions McScotch describes took place deep inside the German lines. He was part of a flight of Nieuport fighters (later 40 Squadron would be equipped with the faster and better armed S.E.5A fighter, which did require some 'breaking in' owing to defective engines and armament - problems that were eventually remedied) that attacked a flight of German planes above an airfield. The attack was skillfully carried out, so much so that the entire enemy flight was shot down. What became clear to the pilots in McScotch's flight (including Mannock) was that the German planes were unarmed! Indeed, the German crews were trainee aviators. The realization only hit home after the attack had been carried out. So it was that upon returning to base, McScotch and his fellow pilots made an agreement among themselves that none of them would put in a claim for a kill because each pilot felt that what they had done --- even though perfectly legitimate under wartime conditions --- had amounted to murder.
McScotch was fortunate to have survived at the Front for as long as he had. Most RFC pilots that were sent to France at that stage of the war were lucky to last 3 weeks before being wounded, killed, or becoming a POW. The RFC had a policy of aggressively pursuing the enemy on his side of the lines. That explains why a lot of the air combat on the Western Front often took place above the trenches and deep behind the German lines.
Mannock would later return to France (this time in command of his own squadron) and would be killed in action in July 1918. As for McScotch (who was credited with shooting down 7 German planes), he states that "events happened which prevented my returning to France." I wish he would have gone on to describe what those events were.
"FIGHTER PILOT" is one of the best First World War pilot memoirs I've read. It gives the reader a palpable and poignant feel for what life at the Front was really like for a combat pilot.
February 1, 2020
Finally . . .
Without doubt the best book I've ever read on aerial warfare over the Western Front.
Penned by someone who experienced it, it excudes a credibility that's almost visceral. It refutes so much of the 'armchair' historians' opinions by injecting a lived truth.
Outstanding
Without doubt the best book I've ever read on aerial warfare over the Western Front.
Penned by someone who experienced it, it excudes a credibility that's almost visceral. It refutes so much of the 'armchair' historians' opinions by injecting a lived truth.
Outstanding
August 17, 2024
We few,we happy few.
Excellent read,thoroughly enjoyed.
Recommend all budding service personnel should read this.
A factual proof of how Britain constantly sends people to war poorly equipped,under supported yet expects miracles...usually delivered but at what personal cost....
Excellent read,thoroughly enjoyed.
Recommend all budding service personnel should read this.
A factual proof of how Britain constantly sends people to war poorly equipped,under supported yet expects miracles...usually delivered but at what personal cost....
December 4, 2016
I enjoyed this book very much. The writer, 'McScotch' reminisces about the day to day life of British pilots in World War I, flying behind the German lines in France. He details the extraordinary exploits of Irishman 'Mick' Mannock, the supreme fighter of all the Air Forces, describing him as 'an indominable and lovable patriot'.
The heartfelt character studies of the men were interesting and saddening, especially when they did not make it back. The reader also feels a similar sadness for the German boys, who went down in flames. The author tells of the pilot's superstitions. It was bad luck to play the piano in the mess. It seemed that those who did, were not likely to live through the week. It was bad luck to fly with a 'leave slip' in your back pocket and similarly to have your photo taken with your best friends.
The heartfelt character studies of the men were interesting and saddening, especially when they did not make it back. The reader also feels a similar sadness for the German boys, who went down in flames. The author tells of the pilot's superstitions. It was bad luck to play the piano in the mess. It seemed that those who did, were not likely to live through the week. It was bad luck to fly with a 'leave slip' in your back pocket and similarly to have your photo taken with your best friends.
May 16, 2017
Great View of the Air War
This book is a well-written description of the Air War over France. The perspective from a British pilot and his observations is unique. The action sequences are descriptive and the pilots relations to one another are revealing
This book is a well-written description of the Air War over France. The perspective from a British pilot and his observations is unique. The action sequences are descriptive and the pilots relations to one another are revealing
June 18, 2019
Air aces
Five stars because this book ( biographical I assume), is an eye opener as well as an excellent read. Telling the history of the early years of the fighter pilots and the sometimes inferior machines they used & still proved superior t o the enemy.
Five stars because this book ( biographical I assume), is an eye opener as well as an excellent read. Telling the history of the early years of the fighter pilots and the sometimes inferior machines they used & still proved superior t o the enemy.
October 10, 2020
Insight into mindset of WW1 pilots
Although a Google search suggests that the author wasn't as much in Mannock's circle as he claims, it is still interesting to read a historical account of WW1 fighter pilots.
Although a Google search suggests that the author wasn't as much in Mannock's circle as he claims, it is still interesting to read a historical account of WW1 fighter pilots.
May 11, 2016
Best ww1air war book I've read
I love this author. He was a great pilot and team member. He was brave and loyal. Smart and funny.
I love this author. He was a great pilot and team member. He was brave and loyal. Smart and funny.
August 2, 2016
Excellent Inside View of WW1
Best insight on First World War flying I have ever read. Well written with knowledge only someone with first hand experience could have told.
Best insight on First World War flying I have ever read. Well written with knowledge only someone with first hand experience could have told.
June 2, 2017
Mannock and McSotch
This is a highly articulate account of the techniques, equipment, and psychology of the RAF during World War One. Very interesting and informative.
This is a highly articulate account of the techniques, equipment, and psychology of the RAF during World War One. Very interesting and informative.
January 13, 2023
A well written expose of life in the RFC highlighting the 'learning' process that the RFC and individual pilots went through on the front line
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews