Product Description

David Morgan reveals what it is really like to be a jet fighter pilot in this vivid memoir from the Falklands War. In 1982, David Morgan was an RAF officer, on secondment to the Royal Navy, when the Argentine invasion took place. He flew in the first British air strike against the enemy positions around Port Stanley, the raid memorably described by BBC reporter Brian Hanrahan who 'counted them all out, and counted them all back'. But three out of thirty British pilots were killed during the first week. Morgan was first on the scene at Bluff Cove, where Argentine jets had bombed the landing ships SIR TRISTRAM and SIR GALAHAD, with great loss of life. He and his wingman pounced on four enemy Skyhawk fighter-bombers: he shot down two, his wingman hit the third; the fourth managed to escape after jettisoning his weapons and drop tanks. David Morgan was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery in 1982. He is also credited with downing several helicopters as well as pressing home ground attack missions in the teeth of heavy anti-aircraft fire. After the war, he met one of the Argentine pilots he fought, who had had him in his sights but discovered his guns were jammed. David Morgan is also a published poet and his writing style elevates his story above that of most other war memoirs. He includes heartfelt letters he sent back to England to his wife, his young children, and his former mistress. He had confessed to his affair just as the fleet sailed, and writes very movingly of the difficulty in rescuing personal relationships while sent to war the other side of the world. This intimate account of one pilot's war combines the adrenaline rush craved by every would-be 'Top Gun' pilot with deeply sensitive reflection

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #92412 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Navy News
"Brutally honest"

Review
"Brutally honest" (Navy News )

About the Author
David Morgan was awarded the DSC for his services in the Falklands War. He left the forces in 1991 and now flies commercial jets for Virgin Atlantic Airways. A dedicated aerobatic pilot, he regularly flies at air shows.

Customer Reviews

Top Read.....
I had already read Sharky's book, and found that a really good read, but he did a little too much griping about the Air Force and the strategies used during the war. Morgan's book is much more personal, he lets you in on his feelings and his personal life, which made the book feel more real. I would recommend this book to anyone, I could not put it down! Definately a top read..!!!

Excellent.
I had been waiting for this chap to write his story, and got the book with bated breath. I wasn't disapointed. This is a great, honest tale written by a great pilot. I remember watching him land on "Hermes" after the famous "I counted them all out" sortie on the television and him sitting up in his cockpit and giving the "thumbs up" to the camera after his aircraft had been damaged, and aspired to be him! (Never made it though!). Definately recommended.

Well done, Sir.

A good honest read
I thought this was an Honest account of the Air war in the falklands with a lot less griping and moaning than in "Sharkeys" book and a very human touch to it .I was on 801 nas with the author in the late 80s and he used to make the deck crews howl when he used to pull faces looking at us as he was launching!!!