Time Flies

Reflections of a Fighter Pilot

• An insight into the daily exploits of a fighter pilot during the Cold War and beyond, both from the cockpit and in command
• Reflections on high level staff meetings, including briefing the Secretary of State for Defence, Michael Heseltine, during the formative years of the Eurofighter project
• Details of commanding a Tornado F3 squadron during Gulf War One
• Memoirs of flying with the Red Arrows, including the 1993 tour of the USA
• Profusely illustrated with high-quality photographs

Time Flies: Reflections of a Fighter Pilot is a detailed insight into the exploits of a RAF pilot from the cockpit and in command in the air, on land and at sea. Covering interceptions of Soviet bombers off Iceland to defending Saudi Arabia in Gulf War One, this gripping biography follows his thirty-year career operating Lightnings defending the UK, F-4 Phantoms from HMS Ark Royal and defending the Inner German Border (IGB) as well as commanding a Tornado F3 squadron, including a deployment to Saudi Arabia in Gulf War One.

The author formulated the operational requirements for the Eurofighter Typhoon, flew with the Red Arrows, served as the deputy station commander at RAF Leuchars and led the Tornado F3 four-ship flypast over Edinburgh Castle as the Stone of Destiny was returned to Scotland on 30 November 1996. A serious study for the aviation enthusiast and military historian, this work is also sumptuously illustrated with rich and candid photographs to inspire modellers.

THE AUTHOR

David Hamilton gained his pilot’s licence aged seventeen. In the RAF, he flew Lightnings, F-4 Phantoms and commanded a Tornado F3 squadron. Also, Hamilton supervised and flew with the Red Arrows. He held staff appointments in the Ministry of Defence, NATO Headquarters and air advisor to General Sir Peter de la Billière after the first Gulf War. He took early retirement as a group captain and spent twelve years on the Eurofighter project with the defence industry, both BAE and EADS.