A Cold War Fighter Pilot in Peacetime and War - D. Sharp

A Cold War Fighter Pilot in Peacetime and War

By: D. Sharp

Hardcover | 16 April 2020

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This is the quite remarkable and true story of Squadron Leader Derek J. Sharp AFC BSc Dip Comp JP RAF and his incredible adventures. Nothing perhaps was more astonishing than his survival after meeting a Mallard duck at 500 mph and his subsequent fight back to become a pilot in command once again. That he survived to age 30 was amazing, that he continued unashamedly on to a ripe old age was nothing short of a miracle.

Conceivably he followed the advice written on a fridge magnet in his kitchen `Never drive faster than your Guardian Angel can fly'. Those who knew him would say not a chance! This fascinating book follows the adventures of Sharp from spotty schoolboy to highly respect aviator. He flew everything from fighters to heavy transport, wise old navigators and Her Majesty The Queen.

He joined a flying club called the Royal Air Force and unexpectedly found himself at war. That mirrored his namesake, Pilot Officer Derek Sharp who lost his life in a Lancaster in WW2. He lived in a time long before Political Correctness, the Breathalyser and motorcar safety checks. He achieved all that he set out to do, and more. That would undoubtedly be his epitaph.

About the Author

Squadron Leader Sharp was born after the end of WW2 and following a grammar school education joined the RAF as a pilot. Following postings as a Strike/Attack pilot, he became a flying instructor, then spent 10 years flying Jaguar fighter bombers. Having took over command of 151(F) Squadron, he suffered a catastrophic duck strike which left him totally blind. Despite being told he would never fly again, he defied all odds and ended his career as a senior instructor and VIP pilot on VC10 aircraft. Following retirement, Sharp totally restored an ex RAF Bulldog aircraft and still regularly flies.

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