Wednesday 20 March 2024

Fist world war aviation

The last year has been rather busy and my latest novel has taken considerable time to research and write. However, today I finished the story at last. In my first book about WW2, 'Better Lucky and Good' I had the main characters meet a naval commander who had flown with their parents in WW1 so I had a hook to continue the 'Hunt' dynasty back into those days. Most people write dynastic series of books going forward in time. I seem to have done it the wrong way around! After I got into my research I was fascinated by the things I discovered, the pioneering days of aviation were quite amazing and much of the original work was done by a few 'characters' in the Royal Naval Air Service. Just one example - how many people know that the concepts of the armoured car and the tank were developed by the navy not the army? You will have to read the book to find out why, which should be available in a few weeks.

Saturday 20 November 2021

Out today

 My latest novel based on my Father's war time career flying fighters in the Mediterranean in 1942.

 


 

The Battle of Britain is over but the war has only just started.
Sub Lieutenant Hunt has returned to the Fleet Air Arm. After learning to to fly the new naval Martlet fighter, he helps pass on some of his combat experience at the new Air Station at Yeovilton before going to sea in HMS Audacious one of two merchantmen converted to small aircraft carriers to protect convoys. Meanwhile, his Fiancé Heather is flying regularly for the Air Transport Auxiliary but is also drawn into the world of the Secret Intelligence Service.
John is then re- appointed to 863 Squadron flying Martlets off the new carrier HMS Invincible. They are bound for the Eastern Mediterranean. On the way they help resupply Malta with Spitfires, then escort their own convoys to the island from Alexandria.
The French Vichy regime hold three countries, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. With America now in the war, an operation is planned to invade these countries and hopefully help turn the tide of the conflict.
Operation Torch was the first Allied amphibious operation of the war. It doesn’t get many headlines because its aims were met and little fighting actually took place. What it did do along with victory over Rommel at El Alamein was change balance of power in the Mediterranean and pave the way for further landings in Sicily and Italy.
John and his squadron are in the thick of it and in trying to ensure that the most effective shore defences do not get involved John takes an enormous risk.
Available as Kindle here )Paperback and hardback in a few days):


Wednesday 19 May 2021

 So just published and available on Amazon.  My autobiography.  I wanted to tell the story of what flying in the Cold War was really like and then a rather warmer war in 1982.


 Available here:

https://amazon.co.uk/dp/B095C77NHN

Wednesday 14 April 2021

The second John Hunt novel

Just made a solid start on the latest novel. When the Fleet Air Arm was returned to the navy in 1937 it had a dreadful inventory of fairly useless aircraft as a legacy of neglect that would take some time to rectify. This book is once again partly based on my father's service. Having spent 1940 on exhange with the RAF for the Battle of Britain he was sent to Yeovilton to pass on some of his expertise before joining 888 Squadron in HMS Formidable in the Mediterranenan. The early years of the war were a steep learning curve for everyone. As usual I'm not quite sure how the story will end but most of it is written in my head now. I wonder if anyone will understand where it got the title from?



Wednesday 23 December 2020

Out now in time for Christmas

 Just got finished.  I wanted to publish this in 2020 as the eightieth anniversary year of the Battle of Britain and made it by the skin of my teeth.  Available as a Kindle or Paperback:

https://amazon.co.uk/dp/B08R6F2Z1R

 


 



Wednesday 9 December 2020

Advice needed

 Almost at the end of the latest novel.  A prequel to the Jon Hunt series based on my Father's career in the FAA but also when he was seconded to the RAF for the Battle of Britain.  Should be finished in a month or so. Can't decide on the cover format.





Tuesday 15 September 2020

80 years ago

 So eighty years ago my father was rather busy. This is his squadron combat report for the 15 September 1940. He is credited with one kill that day (although in the summary they've misspelled his name as Jerman - a freudian slip I hope and demoted him to the RAF as a Flight Lt - he was an RN Sub Lt).
My novel about this period is well underway. I just wish I started earlier as it would have been good to have published it today!! Should be out before the year end though.