This image is the cover for the book Hunter Boys

Hunter Boys

“Entertaining and informative tales of success, heroics, fear, relief and exhilaration in and around the Hunter cockpit” (Royal Air Force Historical Society Journal).

From the author of Lightning Boys, this is a fascinating look at the experiences of those who flew the iconic Hawker Hunter.

Fifteen aircrew relate their individual recollections of the highs and lows, the dramas and demands of this incredible aircraft, which came into service in July 1951 and changed the future of fighter development. Included are a chapter by Neville Duke, Hawker Aircraft’s chief test pilot, and other tales recounting the Aden emergency, the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, and a race against the odds in Gibraltar.

These true stories demonstrate the exceptional performance of this aircraft and illustrate its renowned lengthy service with the RAF and internationally—brought to life with original photographs plus paintings by acclaimed aviation artist Chris Stone.

Richard Pike

Richard Pike became a flight cadet in 1961 at the RAF College, Cranwell, where on graduation, he was awarded the Dickson Trophy and Michael Hill memorial prize for flying. In the early stages of his forty-year flying career he flew the English Electric Lightning before converting to the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom. On leaving the Royal Air Force he became a civilian helicopter pilot. His duties took him to a wide variety of destinations at home and overseas including the Falkland Islands not long after the end of the Falklands War. His last assignment was in Kosovo helping to distribute emergency humanitarian aid on behalf of the United Nations World Food Programme. He and his wife live in Aberdeenshire. He is the author of several Grub Street titles including: Lightning Boys, Lightning Boys 2, Hunter Boys and Phantom Boys Volume 1 and 2.

Grub Street Publishing