Harrier 809

Britain's Legendary Jump Jet and the Untold Story of the Falklands War

Author: Rowland White

' Harrier 809 is a truly insightful study of this iconic British aircraft at war ... A tremendous account, by turns exciting, moving and enlightening; Rowland White has crafted yet another brilliant account of aerial warfare.' JOHN NICHOL, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF SPITFIRE

A mere 20 Sea Harriers operating from two aircraft carriers would take on the might of the Argentine air force, some 200 planes strong.

Product Unavailable

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Summary

A mere 20 Sea Harriers operating from two aircraft carriers would take on the might of the Argentine air force, some 200 planes strong.

Description

'Harrier 809 is a truly insightful study of this iconic British aircraft at war, and a tremendous account of the personal experiences of those who flew it in battle. By turns exciting, moving and enlightening; Rowland White has crafted yet another brilliant account of aerial warfare.' JOHN NICHOL, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF SPITFIRE

'Without the Sea Harrier there could have been no Task Force' Admiral Sir Henry Leach, First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff

April 1982. Argentina invades the Falkland Islands.

In response, Britain despatches a naval Task Force. Eight thousand miles from home, its fate hinges on just twenty Sea Harriers against the two hundred-strong might of the Argentine Air Force.

The odds against them are overwhelming.

The MoD's own estimates suggest that half the Harriers will be lost within a week. Against this background, 809 Naval Air Squadron is reformed, trained and sent south to fight.

Not since WWII had so much been expected of such a small band of pilots.

Combining groundbreaking research with the pace of a thriller, Rowland White reveals the full story of the fleet's knife-edge fight for survival for the first time, and shows how the little jump jet went from airshow novelty to sealing its reputation as an icon of British aviation, alongside the Spitfire and the Hurricane.

Critic Reviews

“This is utterly brilliant: a fantastically exciting book about those amazing Harrier jets in the Falklands War but so much more besides. White has a richly drawn cast of unforgettable characters ... this really does read like the best kind of thriller. His best book yet.”

Rowland White has scored again. Harrier 809 reads like a fast-paced military adventure novel only better because every word is true. White has brought us an up-close, inside-the-cockpit saga of a band of heroes in the Falklands air war. Riveting. Robert Gandt Rowland White has done it again! A compelling, fast-paced narrative that thrusts us into a fascinating cockpit-view of the Falklands War. Harrier 809 provides a true window into a conflict that shaped the modern path of Argentina and the United Kingdom; a "must read" for serious military aviation enthusiasts and historians alike! Dan Hampton Utterly thrilling and totally absorbing. White conveys brilliantly the spirit of a great aircraft - and the men who flew it Patrick Bishop This is utterly brilliant: a fantastically exciting book about those amazing Harrier jets in the Falkands War but so much more besides. The very best narrative history has human drama at its heart and White has a richly drawn cast of unforgettable characters - both British and Argentinian - that with the aircraft, ships and weapons of the day make this a sizzling page-turner from start to finish. Not only does it have some of the best aerial action sequences I've read, it also offers a fascinating and vivid window on the world of 1982. It's an overused term but this really does read like the best kind of thriller. His best book yet. James Holland Harrier 809 is a truly insightful study of this iconic British aircraft at war, and a tremendous account of the personal experiences of those who flew it in battle. By turns exciting, moving and enlightening; Rowland White has crafted yet another brilliant account of aerial warfare. -- JOHN NICHOL, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF SPITFIRE

About the Author

Rowland White is the author of four critically acclaimed works of aviation history- Vulcan 607, Phoenix Squadron, Storm Front and Into the Black, as well as a compendium of aviation, The Big Book of Flight. Born and brought up in Cambridge, he studied Modern History at Liverpool University. In 2014 he launched Project Cancelled to produce apparel inspired by the best in aviation, space and other cool stuff. Find it at projectcancelled.com

For more information on Rowland White and his books visit his website at rowlandwhite.com or find him on Twitter at @rowlandwhite