Rick Peacock-Edwards has led different lives at different times, but through it all has used a bonus in life nowadays often overlooked: he has consistently enjoyed himself. One of three brothers of outstanding South African Battle of Britain pilot F/O S R ‘Teddy’ Peacock-Edwards, his subtle and compassionate regard for a generation of wartime aircrew is clear: “As the proud son of one of the ‘Few’, their selfless daring has inspired me throughout my life. Importantly, they influenced my decision to become an airman in the Royal Air Force, to become a fighter pilot like my father, and to live life with spirit as they had lived their lives. It is essential that their experiences live on.” Rate of Climb, his original and continually entertaining biography, drawing on previously unpublished family and archival material, shows Rick in complete command of his primary subject: flying. A leading ex-RAF fighter pilot to his fingertips, he flew the Lightning, Phantom, Tornado F2/3 and other high-performance aircraft, and served in senior-ranking positions in the UK, Germany and the US. During a varied and distinguished career, he was closely associated with the Eurofighter Typhoon programme and was appointed as the Royal Air Force Inspector of Flight Safety. He ably demonstrated his uncommon skill and determined leadership during the Cold War era, first Gulf War and elsewhere. A past master of The Honourable Company of Air Pilots, he is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and the immediate past vice chairman of the Royal Air Force Club in London. He is equally as engaged in his post-RAF career as he was when a serving officer. This is an action-packed account of a foremost flyer’s life with endless good stories, and a colourful cast of characters to match. Rick’s compelling recollections in Rate of Climb reveal a life of considerable achievement, in a very personal book capturing the ties of airmanship that the author has been privileged to share. A must for all lovers of derring-do in the air.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 256

Dimensions: 156 x 234 mm

Publication Date: 29-05-2020

The Folland Gnat was used by the RAF mainly in the advanced training role, in the 1960s and 70s, where it proved to be an ideal lead-in trainer for high performance aircraft such as the iconic Lightning, the first RAF supersonic fighter. It was also the aircraft used by the famous 'Yellow Jacks' formation aerobatic team, formed in 1964, the forerunner of the world famous 'Red Arrows' team which was equipped with the Gnat for over a decade before being replaced by the Hawk in 1980. Lesser known, the Gnat was also used as a lightweight fighter by both the Indian and Finnish air forces. In the case of India, the Gnat, later called the 'Ajeet' (Midge), saw combat experience in the Indo-Pakistani War. Today, over 60 years since the aircraft first flew, several Gnats continue to be operated from North Weald in Essex by the Heritage Aircraft Trust. Their Gnat Display Team are seen at many air displays throughout the UK. Gnat Boys relates the history of the aircraft and includes many fascinating and untold stories told by those who flew the aircraft, many of them well-known and distinguished aviators. The book also includes chapters on both the operations and experiences of those who flew the aircraft in the Indian and Finnish air forces. There are many fascinating and exciting tales and to bring readers fully up to date the book also covers accounts of those who fly the aircraft in the 2020s with the Gnat Heritage Flight. Gnat Boys is set to become one of the most sought-after books about aviation covering a very special era in aviation history, a must read for everyone with an interest in stories of human trial and endeavour.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 256

Dimensions: 156 x 234 mm

Publication Date: 31-07-2022