{"product_id":"the-life-of-a-cold-wyndham-ward-9781781559581","title":"The Life of a Cold War and Red Arrows Pilot","description":"Wyndham Ward grew up with a determination to fly whatever the odds. Starting out as boy mechanic in the RAF, he progressed to being a 'Junior Joe' fighter pilot in the iconic Hawker Hunter, despite making almost every mistake possible during air combat training. The Cold War threat loomed large, and Ward was transferred to operating high-speed low-level Buccaneers--a dangerous job--flying with the RAF and Fleet Air Arm on board HMS Ark Royal, where he eventually mastered hair-raising catapult launches and the art of shaky recoveries. Following active duty, Ward received an unexpected posting to the Red Arrows aerobatic team in a significant year--1979--when the Gnat was replaced by the Hawk.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is the story of a lifetime in aviation, from eager youngster to strike formation leader, with an insider's view into squadron life, the camaraderie of the mess, the howlers committed during training and the tensions of frontline duty during the Cold War. It reveals the inner workings of the Red Arrows during a year of exceptional pressure when, with new jets and a redesigned display, the nation expected something truly groundbreaking. Through it all, and onwards into an extraordinary career in civil aviation, Ward's boyish enthusiasm never faded; this book is, above all, a testament to the joys of flying.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Wyndham Ward\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1781559589\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781781559581\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Fonthill Media\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 03\/30\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 224\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover","brand":"Wyndham Ward","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":47931111211263,"sku":"9781781559581","price":34.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_c20c9c0f-637c-43bb-b015-abddf6d0a0b0.jpg?v=1766346522","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-life-of-a-cold-wyndham-ward-9781781559581","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}