What do you think?
Rate this book
Dark Flight
‘Excitement and fine writing - James Blatch’s Red Brunson is back' – Sir John Major KG CH
___________________
In the dark recesses of a hangar, hidden deep in the Mojave desert, an experimental hypersonic aircraft sits in the shadows.
A secret to all but a handful of men, the XS-81 has a very specific task, ready to protect the United State’s military secrets from a new wave of Soviet satellites.
To crew a highly sensitive first mission, a young test pilot will sit alongside an Edwards AFB veteran. For Captain Red Brunson, this is a chance to make amends after a difficult start in his test flying career.
But at the heart of this top-secret project, is a traitor.
With the United States on the brink of a humiliating disaster, exposed by a deep cover spy, Red finds himself at the centre of an incident that could make the Bay of Pigs look like a picnic.
From James Blatch, a gripping Cold War page-turner.
______________________
What they said about Blatch’s debut novel, THE FINAL
‘ The Final Flight was a beautifully structured story, full of intriguing characters and a pulsating finale’
– Sir John Major KG CH (former UK Prime Minister)
***** ‘The best military book I’ve read since Andy McNab’s Bravo Two Zero’
– Mark Llewhellin
***** ‘I was rapidly, inexorably drawn in…’ – Amazon reviewer
***** ‘I couldn’t put it down until I’d finished it’ – Amazon reviewer
***** ‘A gripping storyline. Loved it. Kept me entertained into the early hours. The best read I've had by a country mile – Amazon reviewer
***** ‘Dazzling Debut Novel ...’ – Amazon reviewer
___________________
In the dark recesses of a hangar, hidden deep in the Mojave desert, an experimental hypersonic aircraft sits in the shadows.
A secret to all but a handful of men, the XS-81 has a very specific task, ready to protect the United State’s military secrets from a new wave of Soviet satellites.
To crew a highly sensitive first mission, a young test pilot will sit alongside an Edwards AFB veteran. For Captain Red Brunson, this is a chance to make amends after a difficult start in his test flying career.
But at the heart of this top-secret project, is a traitor.
With the United States on the brink of a humiliating disaster, exposed by a deep cover spy, Red finds himself at the centre of an incident that could make the Bay of Pigs look like a picnic.
From James Blatch, a gripping Cold War page-turner.
______________________
What they said about Blatch’s debut novel, THE FINAL
‘ The Final Flight was a beautifully structured story, full of intriguing characters and a pulsating finale’
– Sir John Major KG CH (former UK Prime Minister)
***** ‘The best military book I’ve read since Andy McNab’s Bravo Two Zero’
– Mark Llewhellin
***** ‘I was rapidly, inexorably drawn in…’ – Amazon reviewer
***** ‘I couldn’t put it down until I’d finished it’ – Amazon reviewer
***** ‘A gripping storyline. Loved it. Kept me entertained into the early hours. The best read I've had by a country mile – Amazon reviewer
***** ‘Dazzling Debut Novel ...’ – Amazon reviewer
370 pages, Paperback
Published June 15, 2022
116 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 6, 2024
This was a fast read. Written competently but almost all the twists are easily figured out well ahead of the text. And while the writing about Edwards AFB is accurate in some senses, in others it's rather stretching credulity about how test pilots and test programs actually behaved, even in the more casual atmosphere of the early 1960s (as someone who was involved in flight testing there in the 1980s, I had some experience of how things operated). So, overall, I'd say an enjoyable read, especially if you do not place a high value on total accuracy - or wouldn't know enough that those nitpicks would make a difference.
July 23, 2022
Entertaining, although somewhat predictable
This is a good story and loaded with detailed aviation technology that kept me interested. The hero is a bit too soft and needy to be a believable test pilot of the 1960's, though. This book is a prequel to Blatch's debut novel, and the Red Brunson in this one does not at all behave like the same character in the other book.
The 2nd half of the story also felt rushed, and there were loads of typos and mistakes in the text. A good summer read, though, and the adventure is worth the time.
This is a good story and loaded with detailed aviation technology that kept me interested. The hero is a bit too soft and needy to be a believable test pilot of the 1960's, though. This book is a prequel to Blatch's debut novel, and the Red Brunson in this one does not at all behave like the same character in the other book.
The 2nd half of the story also felt rushed, and there were loads of typos and mistakes in the text. A good summer read, though, and the adventure is worth the time.
July 15, 2022
A Youg Test Pilot Redeems Himself
A truly fabulous story with lots of surprises. This was a plausible story. A human tragedy created a believable need that a clever enemy agent exploited. In the end, Red's input led to fixing the problem. I'm impressed that a British writer got the Americanisms right. And the story details felt like he was a test pilot himself. Great uplifting ending.
A truly fabulous story with lots of surprises. This was a plausible story. A human tragedy created a believable need that a clever enemy agent exploited. In the end, Red's input led to fixing the problem. I'm impressed that a British writer got the Americanisms right. And the story details felt like he was a test pilot himself. Great uplifting ending.
January 3, 2023
Another winner by Blatch
Never saw the twist coming in this book. I read it after Blatch’s first one and I am not disappointed. Again, Blatch’s characters are so real and easy to like. I never picked up on the innuendo’s and suspect a sinister being so the ending was a nice surprise. I could not put this book down and that makes it a 5 star rating.
Never saw the twist coming in this book. I read it after Blatch’s first one and I am not disappointed. Again, Blatch’s characters are so real and easy to like. I never picked up on the innuendo’s and suspect a sinister being so the ending was a nice surprise. I could not put this book down and that makes it a 5 star rating.
May 22, 2023
Piloto de pruebas algo miedoso de proyecto supersecreto en la Guerra Fría recibe la ayuda de un granjero expiloto en Corea y un maestro de la aeronáutica.
Está bien, aunque me gustó más el primero del autor. En este hay decisiones de los personajes que no me cuadran mucho y no termina de enganchar igual.
Está bien, aunque me gustó más el primero del autor. En este hay decisiones de los personajes que no me cuadran mucho y no termina de enganchar igual.
July 7, 2022
Exciting authentic and enjoyable
Great follow up to Final Flight. Every bit as exciting, authentic and readable. Each step ensured you took the next until the story was complete. Most enjoyable read. What next ??
Great follow up to Final Flight. Every bit as exciting, authentic and readable. Each step ensured you took the next until the story was complete. Most enjoyable read. What next ??
January 3, 2023
wonderful read
As a pilot (not military) I found the technical aspects of the story believable, which is not always the case. The story was interesting and exciting and highly recommended.
As a pilot (not military) I found the technical aspects of the story believable, which is not always the case. The story was interesting and exciting and highly recommended.
May 24, 2024
A fast paced story with twists and turns that keep you glued to the book.
I identified with the characters in this story and the aviation background adds interest. There is a love story intertwined with the main plot that provides a background without dominating.
I identified with the characters in this story and the aviation background adds interest. There is a love story intertwined with the main plot that provides a background without dominating.
July 2, 2022
Flying high
A very intriguing action packed story full of deception, death, suspense and mystery with a little romance thrown in for good measure.
A very intriguing action packed story full of deception, death, suspense and mystery with a little romance thrown in for good measure.
August 15, 2022
5 stars but worth more
What a terrific read. Plenty of action on the ground and in the air, keeps the reader on the edge of his seat.
What a terrific read. Plenty of action on the ground and in the air, keeps the reader on the edge of his seat.
August 15, 2022
An excellent spy story centered around experimental aircraft in 1947. The story starts slow with unimpressive writing bu improves in the second half. An enjoyable read.
December 10, 2022
More like a 3,5
January 1, 2023
nice story line
Interesting but not a real action story. Story line and title sound like it’s a real action adventure.
Not as I had hoped to be reading.
Interesting but not a real action story. Story line and title sound like it’s a real action adventure.
Not as I had hoped to be reading.
January 5, 2023
Great story
Really good at describing the experience of testing new planes and technology. Also a captivating back story. Loved it from start to finish.
Really good at describing the experience of testing new planes and technology. Also a captivating back story. Loved it from start to finish.
January 15, 2023
Too touchy feely to suit my taste.
April 26, 2023
great aviation thriller
Thoroughly enjoyed the book. Written in the Vietnam War Era but that wasn't highlighted in the book. Don't delay...grab this book. You won't regret it.
Thoroughly enjoyed the book. Written in the Vietnam War Era but that wasn't highlighted in the book. Don't delay...grab this book. You won't regret it.
October 22, 2023
First class read.
Military tech spy novel you name it ,this has it all ,very technical but easy to follow this is a real page Turner with some great flying scenes.
Military tech spy novel you name it ,this has it all ,very technical but easy to follow this is a real page Turner with some great flying scenes.
October 21, 2025
Thrilling to the last chapter
The author has a magical way of enticing the reader to say just one more page. Only then to find out the real twists!
The author has a magical way of enticing the reader to say just one more page. Only then to find out the real twists!
February 20, 2023
Dark Flight
A good read, Intreging start which holds your interest followed by enough technical content if you follow the story line. In all a believable story line and a good ending
A good read, Intreging start which holds your interest followed by enough technical content if you follow the story line. In all a believable story line and a good ending
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews