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From F-4 Phantom to A-10 Warthog
- Memoirs of a Cold War Fighter Pilot
- Narrated by: Jeff Bolton
- Length: 12 hrs and 58 mins
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From F-4 Phantom to A-10 Warthog
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Summary
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.
What listeners say about From F-4 Phantom to A-10 Warthog
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 09-02-23
Slow and Corny
The guy reading was a bit annoying trying to be funny in a thick American drawl. Too much uneccesary description of nothing important
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Pete W
- 26-12-22
From USAF to RAF
I spent my youth with my Dad Thomas Wileen who served in the USAF from the late -1960’s until his untimely passing in the 1980’s EB-66’s F111’s then his beloved F-4 Phantom. Tan Son Nhut to RAF Alconbury I loved the stories so much I joined the RAF and served 32 years… USAF Ramstien was a favourite. This book was a trip down memory lane for me! A superb account of happy days gone by.. thank you for the memories…
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- michael
- 01-09-22
Utterly fantastic
Growing up in the 90’s close to bentwaters air base I used to regularly see the
F4’s and hogs tearing up the suffolk sky and sitting, watching from the seat of my bmx bike wondered about who was flying into them! Now I know a little bit!
This story has me laughing out load and not just at the narrators impression of a suffolk accent……….. not even close me ol putner….;-)
Fantastic audio book and when the narrator is struggling to hold back his laughs you know it’s been written fantastically !
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- David H Milton
- 09-07-22
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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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anita Breland
- 28-06-22
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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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dubl
- 26-06-22
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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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bernard Lenrow
- 17-04-22
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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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Randy
- 30-03-22
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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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- G. M. B.
- 17-11-23
Story is worth the narrator's short commings
Great story with a good blend of gripping events and humor. Col. Ladd had an obviously great career and was able to do things only a few are allowed to do. With the love of his wife and family he was the tip of the spear and I for one am greatful. The chronicals of his life regaled to us are not over technical and keep the lay person engaged, and provide a small glimps into a world of the elite community of Fighter Pilots.
The Narrator did an excellent job for the most part. My only complaint is that he would take long pauses between sentences that lasted to long and appeared awkward. At the begining of one chaptor the narrator appeared to have a cold and you can hear him struggle to breath. A good part of the book dealt with Col. Ladd serving in Germany. The Narrator Jeff Bolton, attempted to, but was unsuccessful to prounce the German words. He really should have asked a German speaking person to help him with the pronunciation. But, over all he does a good job, and the story keeps you listening.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- kevo
- 03-09-23
A great insight into the life of a fighter pilot
this was a very enjoyable book, the narration was great, save for chapter 15, there was some recording issues, but I do not hold that against the performance in the slightest. the story itself was awe inspiring, as a child my mom would always watch old war movies, she still dose to this day, I would watch The Battle of Midway and Tora Tora Tora and dream what it would be like to be a fighter pilot, unfortunately I am terrified of flying so never took the chance, but this book made me regret on that, this was a funny, interesting and insightful look into the life of a fighter pilot, needless to say I enjoyed it thoroughly. Thanks to the author for sharing his life and for his service!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Bruce Baumbush
- 20-08-23
Insight into an Air Force pilot's life, not flying
As many have commented, this is not a book about combat flying, but it does give insight into how it was to be an Air Force pilot in the 60's - 80s. The narrator has a habit of treating commas as periods with too much pausing but it didn't turn me off to the book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jamie Robertson
- 07-07-23
Excellent memoir of a lovable rogue
My impression of Steve Ladd after reading this book is that I sure wish I could have a drink with him and hear more of his flying tales.
Other excellent memiors focus on the warfare and the fighting, but Steve Ladd instead focuses on what it's like to fly fighters and the culture of the fighter pilot.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable and warm-hearted read and I laughed out loud in quite a few places. Very much worth picking up and listening to. You won't regret it.
Only a minor quibble on the audio is some static artifacts snuck in, and some brief pauses weren't edited out during post production. Nothing show stopping or distracting, though.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 22-06-23
Outstanding performance
A must read! You will undoubtedly enjoy every moment of this book. Happy listening, hoooah!
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