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Barracuda pilot
Pilot narrative of a Barracuda torpedo bomber pilot during World War II.
198 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 1, 2023
This book was originally published in 1992. It covers the war career of Dustin ‘Doc’ Hadley. When World War Two began, Hadley was in medical school and not enjoying it. During the Battle of Britain, he lost heart in medicine and as a member of the Oxford University Air Squadron, he was allowed a few rides in an iconic de Havilland Tiger Moth. He was immediately smitten with the flying bug and applied to join the Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm. After being allowed to fail out of his studies, the Navy accepted him in May 1942 where he earned the permanent nick name, ‘Doc’. Hadley’s training lasted over a year, until he received his wings, was promoted and was posted to an active squadron. Hadley was posted to an aircraft carrier that was sent to India to fight the Japanese. He flew a variety of aircraft, and was later assigned to flight deck positions directing take offs, landings and deck traffic. He was demobilized within a few weeks of VJ Day and returned to medicine where he enjoyed a successful career.
The book is half about flight training and half about his operational roles. Canada and the BCATP figure strongly in an entire chapter. This chapter is much more about Canada, and Ontario, which has the most stringent rules regarding the consumption of alcohol in the country. His stint in Kingston was in winter. He experienced an extended -30°C period and included some humorous comments on flying in these conditions. As a naval pilot, Hadley flew a Fairey Barracuda, a dive and torpedo bomber, in action against the Japanese in Sumatra and the Bay of Bengal. Although usually disliked and considered dangerous, Hadley formed a strong bond with his Barracuda. He argued that it was only dangerous if incorrectly handled and he believes that High Command did not use it optimally.
Hadley is a natural and enthusiastic writer. He spares no necessary criticism, including regards himself. Many of his tales lightly spoof fun at himself and his peers as well as the Navy High Command. High Command is by nature achieved only later in one’s career. In the 1940s, few naval High Command had ever flown, let alone piloted military aircraft. He believed this was an impediment to anybody who commanded an aircraft carrier or a fleet. This book has many humorous tales, mainly with himself as the goat. He is obviously a very competent pilot. The positions he was given, especially his flight deck positions, would only be given to astute flyers.
Of all the memoirs I have read that feature veterans of the Great War and/or Second World War, this is certainly in the top three. If you have been afraid of this type of book, get this. Four stars.
The book is half about flight training and half about his operational roles. Canada and the BCATP figure strongly in an entire chapter. This chapter is much more about Canada, and Ontario, which has the most stringent rules regarding the consumption of alcohol in the country. His stint in Kingston was in winter. He experienced an extended -30°C period and included some humorous comments on flying in these conditions. As a naval pilot, Hadley flew a Fairey Barracuda, a dive and torpedo bomber, in action against the Japanese in Sumatra and the Bay of Bengal. Although usually disliked and considered dangerous, Hadley formed a strong bond with his Barracuda. He argued that it was only dangerous if incorrectly handled and he believes that High Command did not use it optimally.
Hadley is a natural and enthusiastic writer. He spares no necessary criticism, including regards himself. Many of his tales lightly spoof fun at himself and his peers as well as the Navy High Command. High Command is by nature achieved only later in one’s career. In the 1940s, few naval High Command had ever flown, let alone piloted military aircraft. He believed this was an impediment to anybody who commanded an aircraft carrier or a fleet. This book has many humorous tales, mainly with himself as the goat. He is obviously a very competent pilot. The positions he was given, especially his flight deck positions, would only be given to astute flyers.
Of all the memoirs I have read that feature veterans of the Great War and/or Second World War, this is certainly in the top three. If you have been afraid of this type of book, get this. Four stars.
July 9, 2026
Barracuda Pilot appears to have been written more out of a testimonial impulse than from an artistic intention, leaving the impression of listening to a voice recounting what it remembers, without reconstruction, narrative development, or aesthetic effects.
ㅤ
The scenes appear one after another according to a chronological logic, with no episode preparing the reader for the next.
All the memories are given a similar weight, with no hierarchy between what is essential and what is merely incidental.
ㅤㅤ
The prose is transparent, utilitarian, and functional. Hadley shows little interest in rhythm or cadence, and although his style is clear, it has very little density.
ㅤㅤ
Hadley also does not attempt to draw great conclusions about war, duty, violence, or human nature. His philosophy can be summarised as a pragmatic acceptance of military life: do the job, trust your comrades, adapt to circumstances, and move forward. This gives the work authenticity, but it also limits its reflective depth.
Nor does he retrospectively glorify his own biography. He does not construct a heroic image of himself or turn every episode into a moral lesson. The narrator’s modesty gives the account credibility.
ㅤ
Consequently, Barracuda Pilot is simply an honest memoir with limited literary elaboration. It is a good book for understanding what happened, but not for experiencing its human significance.
ㅤ
The scenes appear one after another according to a chronological logic, with no episode preparing the reader for the next.
All the memories are given a similar weight, with no hierarchy between what is essential and what is merely incidental.
ㅤㅤ
The prose is transparent, utilitarian, and functional. Hadley shows little interest in rhythm or cadence, and although his style is clear, it has very little density.
ㅤㅤ
Hadley also does not attempt to draw great conclusions about war, duty, violence, or human nature. His philosophy can be summarised as a pragmatic acceptance of military life: do the job, trust your comrades, adapt to circumstances, and move forward. This gives the work authenticity, but it also limits its reflective depth.
Nor does he retrospectively glorify his own biography. He does not construct a heroic image of himself or turn every episode into a moral lesson. The narrator’s modesty gives the account credibility.
ㅤ
Consequently, Barracuda Pilot is simply an honest memoir with limited literary elaboration. It is a good book for understanding what happened, but not for experiencing its human significance.
February 6, 2022
First published in 1992, 'Barracuda Pilot' is the autobio of Dunstan Hadley and covers his flying career with the FAA. In view of the title, some may be disappointed that more than half of the book is taken up by an account of Hadley's training before he ever saw a Barracuda, but I always find this aspect of many aviation biographies very interesting as you learn about their various experiences in the training process and their opinion of the many aircraft types that are flown during that process. The writer does also have a singular sense of humour, and this made it a very entertaining read from start to finish.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews