
From F-4 Phantom to A-10 Warthog
Memoirs of a Cold War Fighter Pilot
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Narrated by:
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Jeff Bolton
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By:
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Steven K Ladd
About this listen
Fighter pilots! Images of Baron Manfred von Richthofen and Eddie Rickenbacker in the Great War, Johnnie Johnson, Robert Stanford Tuck and Richard Bong in the Second World War, or Robin Olds in Vietnam, all spring to mind. Volumes have been written about them, past and present. Understandably, most of these revolve around the skill, cunning and bravery that characterizes this distinctive band of brothers, but there are other dimensions to those who take to the skies to do battle that have not been given the emphasis they deserve—until now.
You do not have to be an aviation aficionado to enjoy Colonel Steve Ladd’s fascinating personal tale, woven around his 28-year career as a fighter pilot. This extremely engaging account follows a young man from basic pilot training to senior command through the narratives that define a unique ethos. From the United States to Southeast Asia; Europe to the Middle East; linking the amusing and tongue-in-cheek to the deadly serious and poignant, this is the lifelong journey of a fighter pilot.
The anecdotes provided are absorbing, providing an insight into life as an Air Force pilot, but, in this book, as Colonel Ladd stresses, the focus is not on fireworks or stirring tales of derring-do. Instead, this is an articulate and absorbing account of what life is really like among a rare breed of arrogant, cocky, boisterous, and fun-loving young men who readily transform into steely professionals at the controls of a fighter aircraft.
From F-4 Phantom to A-10 Warthog is a terrific listen: the legacy of a fighter pilot.
©2021 Steven K Ladd (P)2021 Pen and SwordListeners also enjoyed...
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Bud Anderson is a flyers flyer. The Californians enduring love of flying began in the 1920s with the planes that flew over his father's farm. In January 1942, he entered the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Program.
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Fantastic!!!
- By chris johnson on 07-24-23
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Tomcat Fury
- A Combat History of the F-14
- By: Mike Guardia
- Narrated by: Johnny Heller
- Length: 4 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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For more than three decades, the Grumman F-14 Tomcat was the US Navy’s premier carrier-based, multirole fighter jet. From its harrowing combat missions over Libya to its appearance on the silver screen in movies like Top Gun and Executive Decision, the F-14 has become an icon of American air power. Now, for the first time in a single volume, Tomcat Fury explores the illustrious combat history of the F-14, from the Gulf of Sidra to the Iran-Iraq War to the skies over Afghanistan in the Global War on Terror.
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I read this when it came out, also good as an audio.
- By S. H. Moore on 08-18-20
By: Mike Guardia
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Viper Pilot
- The Autobiography of One of America's Most Decorated Combat Pilots
- By: Dan Hampton
- Narrated by: John Pruden
- Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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Sure to rank as one of the greatest aviation memoirs ever written, Viper Pilot is an Air Force legend's thrilling eyewitness account of modern air warfare. From 1986 to 2006, Lt. Col. Dan Hampton was a leading member of the Wild Weasels, the elite Air Force fighter squadrons whose mission is recognized as the most dangerous job in modern air combat. Weasels are the first planes sent into a war zone, flying deep behind enemy lines purposely seeking to draw fire from surface-to-air missiles and artillery. They must skillfully evade being shot down - and then return to destroy the threats, thereby making the skies safe for everyone else to follow.
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FINALLY A Pilot Tells it Like it is!!
- By aaron on 10-26-12
By: Dan Hampton
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Topgun
- An American Story
- By: Dan Pedersen
- Narrated by: Jim Meskimen
- Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
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Dan Pedersen takes listeners on a colorful and thrilling ride - from Miramar to Area 51 to the decks of aircraft carriers in war and peace - through a historic moment in air warfare. He helped establish a legacy that was built by him and his "Original Eight" - the best of the best - and carried on for six decades by some of America's greatest leaders. Topgun is a heartfelt and personal testimonial to patriotism, sacrifice, and American innovation and daring.
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I loved it!
- By "airplane_cfii" on 10-09-19
By: Dan Pedersen
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Scouts Out!
- A Kiowa Warrior Pilot’s Perspective of War in Afghanistan
- By: Ryan Robicheaux
- Narrated by: Timothy G Little
- Length: 15 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior—a deep reconnaissance scout and attack aircraft—was legendary to those it supported. Regularly flying mere feet off of the ground while intentionally drawing enemy fire, almost everyone called Kiowa pilots crazy. Responsible for hunting elusive enemy fighters and protecting those under their charge, Kiowa crews displayed a fierce and intense devotion that was unparalleled.
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Very detailed, great storytelling.
- By Ryan on 08-01-23
By: Ryan Robicheaux
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Bogeys and Bandits
- The Making of a Fighter Pilot
- By: Robert Gandt
- Narrated by: Thomas Block
- Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
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Americans are fascinated by the undeniable mystique of the elite world of Navy fighter pilots. In Bogeys and Bandits, Robert Gandt takes listeners on a thrilling ride in the FA-18 Hornet, one of the fastest, sleekest, and deadliest aircraft in the world. Gandt lived and worked with several pilots learning to fly the Hornet: the identical twins from Middle America; the computer nerd with a penchant for speed; the grandson of a Tuskegee Airman, trying to live up to a proud legacy; and two women dealing with the post-Tailhook world of the Navy.
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Great book but the narrator...
- By AshliDF on 08-03-17
By: Robert Gandt
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Flying the SR-71 Blackbird
- In the Cockpit on a Secret Operational Mission
- By: Richard H. Graham
- Narrated by: Shawn Compton
- Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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The Lockheed SR-71, unofficially known as the Blackbird, was an advanced, long-range, Mach 3 strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed by Lockheed Skunk Works. The aircraft flew so fast and high that not one was ever shot down, even by a missile. SR-71 pilot and instructor Colonel Richard Graham offers a rare cockpit perspective on how regular Air Force pilots and navigators transformed themselves into SR-71 Blackbird crews, turning their unique aviation talents to account in an unprecedented way.
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This book is basically void of content or story.
- By Amazon Customer on 06-02-22
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The Art of Clear Thinking
- A Stealth Fighter Pilot's Timeless Rules for Making Tough Decisions
- By: Hasard Lee
- Narrated by: Hasard Lee
- Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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The training to become a fighter pilot is among the most competitive and difficult in the world with less than one-in-a-thousand succeeding. Pushing a cutting-edge jet to its limits at over 1,000 mph means that every split-second decision can have catastrophic consequences. This extreme environment has forged a group of warriors who for the last 50 years have been considered at the apex of decision-making theory and practice. In The Art of Clear Thinking Hasard Lee distills what he’s learned during his career flying some of the Air Force’s most advanced aircraft.
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Great book on leadership. Every pilot needs to pick this up!
- By Panda_2454 on 05-26-23
By: Hasard Lee
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Skybreak
- The 58th Fighter Squadron in Desert Storm
- By: Mike Guardia
- Narrated by: Johnny Heller
- Length: 5 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
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August 1990: Iraqi forces under the command of Saddam Hussein invaded the tiny emirate of Kuwait. In response, the US military led a coalition of thirty-four nations in what became known as Operation Desert Storm—a violent air and ground campaign to eject the Iraqis from Kuwait. At the tip of the spear were the men of the US Air Force’s 58th Fighter Squadron. Based on hours of interviews and archival research by author Mike Guardia, this book reveals an intimate, no-holds-barred account of modern aerial combat…as told by the men who lived it.
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Great telling of the 58th
- By Gary on 01-02-25
By: Mike Guardia
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Race of Aces
- WWII's Elite Airmen and the Epic Battle to Become the Master of the Sky
- By: John R. Bruning
- Narrated by: Brian Troxell
- Length: 16 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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In 1942, America's deadliest fighter pilot, or "ace of aces" - the legendary Eddie Rickenbacker - offered a bottle of bourbon to the first US fighter pilot to break his record of 26 enemy planes shot down. Seizing on the challenge to motivate his men, General George Kenney promoted what they would come to call the "race of aces" as a way of boosting the spirits of his war-weary command.
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Boring, confusing storyline, some technical details wrong
- By ATM on 04-09-20
By: John R. Bruning
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When the Tempest Gathers
- From Mogadishu to the Fight Against ISIS, a Marine Special Operations Commander at War
- By: Andrew Milburn
- Narrated by: Andrew Milburn
- Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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These are the combat experiences of the first Marine to command a special operations task force, recounted against a backdrop of his journey from raw Second Lieutenant to seasoned Colonel and Task Force Commander; from leading Marines through the streets of Mogadishu, Baghdad, Fallujah and Mosul to directing multi-national special operations forces in a dauntingly complex fight against a formidable foe.
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One of the very best books I’ve read in any genre.
- By Lisa on 11-10-20
By: Andrew Milburn
What listeners say about From F-4 Phantom to A-10 Warthog
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- Steve Hillman MD
- 06-14-23
From the son of a fighter pilot…
When I told his family of his Silver Star earned as he single-handedly attacked a flight of 5 FW-190’s killing 2, strafed convoys of German soldiers, was shot down in the flight of his Ace kill, and escaped twice as a POW, I saw the faraway look in the fading 90 year old eyes of my P-49 fighter pilot father. He also became a Colonel, as did the author.
His story tells the same story, in a different-yet same war.
Salutations to you both!
Gods blesdings,
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- Rick B
- 06-15-23
Throw a nickel on the grass!
This is a very personal audio concerning the career of Steven Ladd and his life in the US Airforce. From the advanced F4 Phantom war machine with it's tactical technologies to the not so advanced A-10 Warthog that had the most awesome armament for close battle support at the time. You will be thoroughly introduced to both technologies and how they compare. Be prepared to laugh and maybe even shed some tears as his story drives to it's conclusion. The epilogue to me created a memory that won't be forgotten. During his time throughout his career, he was supported by his wife Elaine, who he gives credit for allot of his success. The epilogue is actually written by Elaine and it is a powerful tribute to those who have severed and protected the US and her allies over the decades. I highly recommend this audio book, and hope that it gives you a strong appreciation for all those who have sacrificed for our freedom and continue to do so. Remember throw a nickel on the grass, you will understand why.
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- Dubl
- 06-26-22
Absolutely amazing
The life of Steven Ladd is filled with twist and turns far travels while being a fighter pilot during the height of the Cold War. He masterfully tells the story of fighter pilots and their tight knit community
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- Rachel B.
- 04-10-24
Ghost to pigs
This has been a great, enjoyable book. Like life, the end came before I was ready. Highly recommend for aviation lovers, or once and future pilots.
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- David H Milton
- 07-09-22
A 28 year history of Air Force fighter duty.
Lucky indeed to have lived a dream for the duration of a 28 year career in the United States Air Force, Colonel Steven Ladd gives a look into the community of the best of the best. well written, well narrated, and a life well lived.
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- Randy
- 03-30-22
What an excellent book!
Having read countless fighter pilot biographies through the years, this book ranks at the top of the list! Through my professional career working with the USAF, i have encountered many a pilot and can count more than a few as dear friends. Listening to Steve’s book vividly bring all of my fighter pilot buddies to mind as well as his excellent and dare i say it humorous recollections of the well meaning antics that can “sometimes” take place when fighter pilots gather. The book also features excellent narration from someone who is as enthusiastic about the book as the author. Great read!!!!!
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- barbara s cavuoti
- 11-09-22
Awesome and accurate!
Incredible story - on target - read by a master! Harsh but unfair… exactly as a fighter pilot would want it. Apple Korn for all my friends.
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- Bernard Lenrow
- 04-17-22
The best overall fighter pilot memoir I have read.
Steve Ladd didn't make this book about his daring exploits. in fact, he didn't describe any of his sorties in Vietnam despite flying over 150 missions there. he chose instead to make this book about his 28 year journey as a fighter pilot. he had the good fortune to attain the rank of Colonel with few staff assignments, and rose to run the largest air combat unit in Europe while still flying missions.
The narration was first rate despite occasional audio quality problems.
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- Anita Breland
- 06-28-22
A great review of fighter pilot life.
I loved this book, I was 5 years behind Lad in the USAF, and really enjoyed his story.
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- Tony Z
- 05-19-22
Good Book, a little more action please
I liked the book, but I would have liked a bit more combat action, to go with what is there.
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