Subject
Airplanes -- Fiction Books
Best books
Bud La Mar
Buckin' the air
No description available.
Jerry Sohl
The Little Red Bag
"The Little Red Bag" by Jerry Sohl is a science fiction story written in the early 1960s. The narrative revolves around a protagonist endowed with a peculiar talent: the ability to sense the contents of objects and manipulate time within certain confines. This story not only explores his struggles with his unique gift but also delves into a race against time aboard an airplane, presenting high stakes as he discovers a ticking bomb concealed within a fellow passenger's bag. In the story, the unnamed narrator discovers dangerous explosive materials while unknowingly searching through the bag of the woman seated next to him on a flight to Los Angeles. With the bomb's timer threatening to detonate, he must find a way to keep the mechanism from ticking down while navigating a world that is largely oblivious to the deadly situation. As he engages with the woman, Julia, the tension heightens, especially as he learns about the perpetrator behind the bomb's placement—her husband, Joe. As events unfold, including the theft of the bags after their arrival, the story culminates in an explosion that causes the pair to reconsider their priorities, ultimately leading to a moment of connection amidst chaos.
Thomson Burtis
Direct methods
"Direct Methods" by Thomson Burtis is a thrilling adventure story written in the early 20th century, likely during the 1920s. The book unfolds against the backdrop of aviation and Army Air Service operations in a time when air power was becoming increasingly crucial in military strategy. The plot centers around an important mission to capture a notorious criminal mastermind behind a series of high-profile mail robberies, presenting themes of bravery, ingenuity, and the high-stakes nature of law enforcement. The narrative follows Mr. Graves, a government operative, as he coordinates with General O’Malley and two seasoned pilots, Broughton and Hinkley, to execute a complex plan to capture Stanislaus Hayden, the criminal kingpin, alive. Utilizing an elaborate ruse, they crash-land a bomber near Hayden's hideout in the Appalachian Mountains, disguised as Army officers. As the tension builds, the group must navigate both their precarious situation and the dangers posed by Hayden’s armed henchmen. Packed with action, strategy, and quick thinking, "Direct Methods" portrays a tantalizing cat-and-mouse game as the protagonists fight to achieve their goals while preserving their lives in the treacherous woods filled with criminals.
William Le Queux
The Gay Triangle: The Romance of the First Air Adventurers
"The Gay Triangle: The Romance of the First Air Adventurers" by William Le Queux is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story embarks on the thrilling adventures of Dick Manton, a war-hero airman turned motor dealer, and Yvette Pasquet, a determined French girl seeking to recover stolen jewels. Their endeavors lead them on high-stakes missions involving smuggling, espionage, and aerial escapades during a turbulent period in history. The opening of the book introduces a mysterious scene involving a motorcar that transforms into a monoplane, capturing the reader's attention with its stealthy and innovative design. We are introduced to Dick Manton at a dance in a small town, where the excitement of his previous wartime exploits lingers in his memory. His life changes upon the surprise appearance of Yvette and her brother, who have urgent business. Yvette unveils a daring plan to recover the infamous jewels of Rasputin, stolen by a cunning German adversary, laying the groundwork for a series of thrilling escapades that combine romance, adventure, and deception in a world still recovering from the war.
Raoul Whitfield
Picture stuff
"Picture stuff by Raoul Whitfield" is a pulp aviation adventure short story written in the late 1920s. It centers on barnstorming pilots hired for a newsreel, highlighting the perils of stunt flying, camera-ship coordination, and the pride and nerve that drive aerial daredevils. Veteran pilot Russ Healy, soured on camera-ship work after a past near-fatal crash, is pressed by circus boss Bob Brooks into a wing-to-wing transfer stunt featuring fearless performer Joan West, with her fiancé Steve Lott flying the camera plane. At altitude, Joan climbs from a DeHaviland onto Russ’s patched-up Jenny—the “Old Lady”—just as the camera ship collides, crippling the D.H. and tangling with the Jenny. The pilots of the wrecked planes bail out, but Joan’s parachute is fouled, forcing her to cling to a wing loop. When the two locked aircraft spin apart, Russ throttles and steadies the battered Jenny and dead-sticks her to the field with Joan still on the wing. The footage is lost and two planes are gone, but Joan’s scorn turns to admiration, and Russ reveals he never meant to scare her—only to defend the Old Lady—concluding that picture work takes real nerve.
Dan Morrissey
Hooking a sky ride
"Hooking a Sky Ride" by Dan Morrissey is a nostalgic short story written in the late 1920s. This piece captures the adventurous spirit of youth, focusing on themes of dreams, daring escapades, and the thrill of aviation. Set against the backdrop of military training fields in San Antonio, Texas, during a period when aviation was rapidly emerging, the story provides an engaging exploration of childhood curiosity and impulsiveness. In this tale, the protagonist, a thirteen-year-old boy, and his younger brother Frank become captivated by the airplanes flying over their father’s farm. Their admiration for the young cadets turns into a daring plan to "hook a ride" on a military aircraft. When they sneak onto Brooks Field, the older brother manages to cling to a Vicker-Vimy pursuit plane as it takes off, leading to an exhilarating and harrowing adventure in the skies. The thrill of soaring above San Antonio is quickly overshadowed by fear and the physical struggle to maintain his grip as the plane performs stunts. Eventually, his reckless adventure ends with a safe landing, bringing a mix of relief and reprimand from adults. Ultimately, the experience leaves him with a newfound respect for the dangers of flying, metaphorically marking the end of his childhood ambitions of being a daredevil in aviation.
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