H’s review of Rage (Knights of the Air, #1) > Likes and Comments
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Derek RObinson is a great novelist and I love his books but the doyen of WW1 RFC/RAF historians, Alex Revell took issue with his novels and their lack of accuracy, more on the cultural side than technical it must be said. It is a fact that Albert Ball and James McCudden both altered their aircraft substantially, both being better mechanics than many of the men servicing their planes. Those facts can be found by reading McCudden's autobiography and any Bio of Albert Ball. The story of Ball being told off for modifications and saying 'who is flying this plane, me or you" is based on true events. So I beg to differ with you. Later on in the war, tactics and other aspects of war flying became more uniform, but I stand by the accuracy of the story based on what actual pilots actually did.
I'm not sure I understand the chivalrous comment. I agree with you that many were not and in my book I dont think that the main characters come across as chivalrous. They certainly all believe in shooting down the enemy before he sees you. But if you read the quotes at the beginning of Book 1 and Book 2 you will see the actual quotes of Arthur Gould Lee, Group Captain RAF, author or his autobiography No parachute, and Cecil Lewis, ace with 56 Squadron and friends with Ball and Arthur Rhys Davids and author of his autobiography Sagittarius Rising,, who both say they were knights of the air. We were not there. They were. Who are we to argue with them?
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Iain
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Jun 15, 2025 03:14PM
Derek RObinson is a great novelist and I love his books but the doyen of WW1 RFC/RAF historians, Alex Revell took issue with his novels and their lack of accuracy, more on the cultural side than technical it must be said. It is a fact that Albert Ball and James McCudden both altered their aircraft substantially, both being better mechanics than many of the men servicing their planes. Those facts can be found by reading McCudden's autobiography and any Bio of Albert Ball. The story of Ball being told off for modifications and saying 'who is flying this plane, me or you" is based on true events. So I beg to differ with you. Later on in the war, tactics and other aspects of war flying became more uniform, but I stand by the accuracy of the story based on what actual pilots actually did.
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I'm not sure I understand the chivalrous comment. I agree with you that many were not and in my book I dont think that the main characters come across as chivalrous. They certainly all believe in shooting down the enemy before he sees you. But if you read the quotes at the beginning of Book 1 and Book 2 you will see the actual quotes of Arthur Gould Lee, Group Captain RAF, author or his autobiography No parachute, and Cecil Lewis, ace with 56 Squadron and friends with Ball and Arthur Rhys Davids and author of his autobiography Sagittarius Rising,, who both say they were knights of the air. We were not there. They were. Who are we to argue with them?
