Originally Posted by
zondaracer
Are there any good books about Col John Boyd that anyone could recommend?
John Boyd: the Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War. Fantastic book....I couldn't put it down. A failure as a human being, but his ideas founded modern fighter tactics.
Boyd by Robert Coram :: Reader Store
Also, one common trait that I have observed amongst fighter pilots is a very strong work ethic and also a very competitive personality.
I will work night and day to prove you wrong on this one!
XHooker:
Thanks for the words, and I agree with all your follow-on. Two's supporting!
Crewdawg:
LOVED Olds' book. Could not stop reading it, either. Olds had a better realtionship with people than did Boyd; still had his demons. He holds a 'near and dear' to me, as I met him at a military function about 4 years before he died. While taking Q&A, I asked him: of all the classic airplanes he flew, which was his favorite? I had spoken with him earlier in the bar; some of my buds told him I had been an F-4 driver.
He asked me "How many hours do you have in the Phantom?" I answered: "2340."
He paused, then gave me the finger in front of about 150 people, saying, "God, I envy you!! I loved that airplane!!" The place erupted with laughter; the O-6 officiating got very PC-concerned. (That alone was priceless).
I've never been so proud to be given the bird by a One-Star General in my life.
Erich Hartmann's book is also great. What I liked about Hartmann: he served in the post-war Luftwaffe. It said to me: he's a fighter pilot. It's not about politics. He wasn't Hitler's henchman...he was a guy flying for his country.
Matmacwc:
That's an excellent resource for him--great idea to post.
Oh poor UAL
I'm sure that you remember that knowing which weapon is the best for the shot - not AT the moment - but 5 seconds BEFORE that moment arrives is what counts. Right?
Fight's on!
USMCFLYR
Btw - I agree with your picks at the end of your post and saw much of it in action on the TACTS replays when I was stashed with MAG-41 (flying F-4Ss) in exercises out of MCAS Yuma against F/A-18s in October of '89. GREAT times and good memories.
USMCFLYR:
Yes, of course, I simplified a little...my post was already too long! But you are correct. I often tell my students that fighter-flying is a 6-dimensional game of chess: X, Y, and Z axes, but also energy, position, and anticipating what the opponent is likely to do as a function of time.
My favorite F-4 stories are when, late in my career, a 4-ship of VERY experienced F-4 pilots and backseaters would beat superior F-15s and F-16s, flown by relatively new guys, to a standstill. (Including fighting Weapons School; the Weapons School Students didn't pass the ride).
I think the education board of South Australia is going to be blown away by this young man's essay. And it hasn't been written yet!
vagabond: have you, or anyone else, noticed how well this kid writes? I couldn't spell, punctuate, or compose this well when
I was 16....heck, most of the pilots on APC can't select 'your' over 'you're,' 'affect/effect,' it's, its....it made me wonder if he really
is a 16-year old, or a spy for the Chinese!
Young man, I'd like to read a copy when you're done!