Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1204542 in Books
• Published on: 2003-05-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 368 pages

Synopsis
First hand view of dogfights against the Japanese - A rare glimpse at what it was like to fly a MASH helicopter in Korea - An even rarer insight into helicopter missions during atomic testing in the Pacific A spirited account of aerial combat in both World War II and Korea by a pilot who flew fighter planes against the Japanese and later helicopters for a MASH unit in Korea. Brought to life by the author's wit and keen eye for detail. Richard Kirkland would never have imagined that anything could compare to tangling with Zeros in life-and-death dogfights over the South Pacific - but that was before he traded his fighter-pilot wings for rotors. It was a move he never regretted, and the riveting experiences he chronicles in War Pilot provide ample reason why. From the first primitive Sikorsky and the sophisticated choppers of Vietnam to flying medevac choppers and saving countless soldiers from certain death in Korea, Kirkland's firsthand accounts of pilots under fire provide a gripping portrait of not just one American hero, but the many courageous others with whom he flew...

From the Author
Tales Of A War Pilot is humanized , true stories .
I wrote tales of a war pilot to humanize the exciting stories about American fighter pilots who fought the Japanese pilots in WWII, eye to eye, in a type of aerial combat that will never occur again. Those same pilots tested the first atomic bombs, then became the world's first helicopter pilots on the battlefields of Korea, while matching wits with the real live "Hawkeye" at the 8055 MASH. The stories are fascinating and true. I know because I was one of those pilots.

Customer Reviews

brisk adventure in tales amazingly recalled from 1 mans life
This easy but captivating read of short stories from a military pilot's accumulated and varied experiences gives the reader an incredible insight into our past world of war and aviation. Probably never again to be duplicated, the military flying career of the author left me aghast at the breadth of poignant events and weighty situations faced by this one flyer in his long military career. I definitely yearned for more tales, more insight and more learning about the life of this man - which was spent significantly in the air! This is a winning first publication for Kirkland. I wish him many more.

Fantastic - Engaging tales, historical insight, great stuff!
The real world experiences of Richard Kirkland provide a wonderful source of engaging tales. Although most of the stories involve military aviation, the diversity of the subject matter and truly likeable characters in this book go well beyond the field of flight. From detailed accounts of the action of fighter combat in MacArthur's Pacific campaign to compelling stories of unique cultural experiences in Japan, Kirkland brings his characters to life. He has been fortunate to have flown with (and even rescued) some of America's greatest combat pilots. This book is a fantastic opportunity to gain some insight into a not only military aviation, but the life and feelings of pilots in Korea and the Pacific theater of WWII. This book presents a great combination of fun stories, historical insights, and compelling characters.

Excellent tales, conveyed in a relaxed, very readable style!
I purchased this book out of curiosity as the author's son is a life long friend and recently told me about it. I first purchased a gift copy, to be sent to my father who served with Dick Kirkland, SR. at Stead AFB in the late 50's & early 60's. It was during this time that Dick Jr. and I became friends. Despite a life long friendship with the author's son I never new of his father's historical adventures until we began discussing this book. I purchased my own copy after my father had read his and highly recommended it. I had no preconceptions when I began reading it, but I must admit I was a bit skeptical about a "first full length effort" at the authors stage of life. I needn't have been. It was an exciting read, very comfortable in it's pace with good character development and surprising content. I throughly enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it to any reader interested in the military during the 40's & 50's or, for that matter, practically anyone who enjoys a good historical tale, spiced up with interesting characters and personal experience!