Carrier Pilot

By: Norman Hanson

Narrated by: Chris MacDonnell

Length: 12 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1942, Norman Hanson learned to fly the Royal Navy's newest fighter: the US-built Chance Vought Corsair. Fast, rugged, and demanding to fly, it was an intimidating machine. But in the hands of its young Fleet Air Arm pilots, it also proved to be a lethal weapon.

Posted to the South Pacific aboard HMS Illustrious, Hanson and his squadron took the fight to the Japanese. Facing a desperate and determined enemy, Kamikaze attacks, and the ever-present dangers of flying off a pitching carrier deck, death was never far away.

Brought to life in vivid, visceral detail, Carrier Pilot is one of the finest aviators' memoirs of the war; an awe-inspiring, thrilling, sometimes terrifying, account of war in the air.

©2016 Norman Hanson (P)2017 Tantor

Good Pilot Memoir

This is a very good pilot memoir by a British carrier pilot, Norman Hanson, who flew F4U Corsairs manufactured in the U.S. He also had extensive training in the U.S., including in the segregated southern states. Some of the stories from Hanson's training days a quite entertaining.

Hanson's story is interesting because he enlisted at an older age (26) than most. He was already married. Despite this, he undertook one of the riskiest jobs in the service. Being a carrier pilot is risky business in peacetime, and even more so during war. Hanson lost many friends during his service.

One thing that surprised me about the book is that it just ended. After the Japanese surrendered--more quickly than anyone thought because of the atom bomb--Hanson's ship returned to England. And the story just ends there. No loose ends are tied, and there is nothing about what happened after the war. This is a little disappointing.

But overall, it is a really good book. You can tell that Hanson was liked and respected by his shipmates.

Be aware that the story is very British and the British military slang is a little difficult at some points. This is especially true with the very British narration.

A Pleasant Surprise

I found this book to be very interesting and particularly enjoyed the understated British humor that was woven throughout the story. Well narrated and it holds one’s interest throughout.

An excellent story

I’m usually a fan of US Naval aviation. This was an excellent look into British Naval Aviation during World War II. I would love to hear or read more accounts.

Awesome!

awesome story and one of the best narrations I have heard on audible. really worth it.

Fascinating story told with humor and humility

This book covers the experiences of a RNVR pilot when ho had the wonderful experience of being trained in the USA and flying off one of the most famous carriers of the Royal Navy. It describes the tumultuous times he lived through with humor and deep respect for the people he lived and fought with. It also showed the fragility of life and the tremendous tragedy of war.

A great tale well told.

This is the only book Mr. Hanson wrote? The writing entertainingly sparkles with such life, details, pacing, word choice, etc..

it is so well written that I am left me curious.

Carrier Pilot

I'm a former Navy pilot and loved the book. it brought back a lot of wonderful memories, especially times in the El Cortez bar!!

Great biography and pilot life description

This is an outstanding novel. Incredibly well written and superb voice acting. It really brought the life of pilots in carrier service in world war 2 to life with great perspective and superb British wit. A must read for anyone… personally I believe it should be required reading for high school to appreciate the similarities and differences between technology and culture today. Great, great book

Interesting account of little covered piece of WW2

At least here in the US, we don't hear much about the British navy in the Pacific in WW2, and even less about British naval pilots. Hanson does a nice job of recounting his experiences as one of those pilots. There was a lot to learn here, especially for aviation buffs as the author covers his flight training in Florida, his time serving in Egypt and, eventually, his work flying Corsairs from carriers in the Pacific. He mourns the close friends he lost but also, at times, gives very detailed accounts of things like the experience of flying a corsair and the experience of escaping one that had crashed and was sinking. He also, at times, demonstrates a wonderfully dry sense of humor.

I definitely recommend this book if you're interested in military aviation, WW2 naval aviation, Corsairs, or the experience of being a British naval pilot.

Most highly recommended.

A great book. Very detailed book about an area of WW2 that is often overlooked. The British carrier pilots contributions to the war effort in the Southeastern Pacific area.