Flying High: The Story of a Fighter Pilot

by S. Melvin Rines

The world is at war-Pearl Harbor and WWII. A desire to serve, a chance to fly-he joins the navy's V-5 program, the finest flight training ever devised. Come fly with him in open-cockpit biplanes, low-wing trainers, dive bombers, and fighters as he wins the gold wings of a naval aviator, an officer's stripes, and the designation of carrier-based fighter pilot. Recalled for the Korean War-this time to fly newly developed jets. Soar with him on his first flight, to heights he'd not reached and speeds he'd never seen. Recalled for the Korean War-take a front-row seat on a massive U.S. Navy aircraft carrier in combat and experience the riveting, heart-stopping life of a jet fighter pilot racking up fifty-five missions over Korea. Catapult launches, shootings and being shot at, and landing on a rolling, bobbing flight deck are vividly depicted-along with spectacular crashes and agonizing fatalities, while cavorting with stars in Hollywood and Palm Springs. Recalled for the Korean War - this time to fly newly developed jets. Soar with him on his first flight, to heights he'd not reached and speeds he'd never seen. Recalled for the Korean War -take a front-row seat on a massive U.S. Navy aircraft carrier in combat, and experience the riveting, heart-stopping life of a jet fighter pilot racking up fifty- five missions over Korea. Catapult launches, shootings and being shot at and landing on a rolling, bobbing flight deck are vividly depicted - along with spectacular crashes and agonizing fatalities. While cavorting with stars in Hollywood and Palm Springs.

230 pages, Hardcover

Published December 15, 2021