The Phantom in Focus – A navigator’s eye on Britain’s Cold War warrior by David Gledhill.
Arguably the most comprehensive account ever written of operating the mighty Phantom with the RAF. This is the book UK Phantom Phans have been awaiting for a long time.
With fantastic in-depth coverage of how the UK Phantom was operated and the stories that have unfolded along the way, it takes you through Mr Gledhill’s long and successful career with the aircraft from training through to OCU, Combat Training, QRA, RAF Germany and the Falklands. It also details squadron deployments, A/A refuelling, weapons (including missiles and gunnery) opponents (in the Cold War) and other events. Concluding with the Phantom’s demise, it is very obvious that Dave Gledhill was more than sorry to see the Phantom go though acknowledging the fact that its days as a front-line fighter were over as it became outclassed by the new Sukhoi’s and MiG’s appearing on the scene.
Much has been written elsewhere about the Phantom and some of that which pertained to the Spey-powered machines was not unduly flattering. However, notwithstanding the jet’s shortcomings the Spey Phantom was still very much a potent front-line type and no other machine had the capability at that time to do what the UK Phantom did – to operate far out over the North Sea toting eight missiles and holding station ready to intercept the Russians if and when they decided to pay UK airspace a visit.
Copiously illustrated, many of the pictures were taken by Dave Gledhill himself and make a refreshing change to the usual library shots other, less involved, authors resort to. Use was also made of Phantom cockpit of XV490, the Phantom simulator and other airframes at the Newark Air Museum to take you into the cockpits and explain the operation of the radar and weapons systems. Whilst there is a large element of technical information, it does not confuse the reader yet has sufficient detail and content to satisfy the serious enthusiast, keen to know how the UK Phantom was operated.
Dave Gledhill himself is a self-confessed Phantom Phan. He has, successfully, greatly enhanced and enlarged the previously scant offerings about what it was like to actually be in the cockpit of a UK Phantom and use the highly complex and (sometimes) temperamental radar (often head down working the radar, combat manoeuvreing at night) which gave the Phantom the enormous edge over everything else at the time. That Dave Gledhill achieved what he did, in and with, the Phantom shows that he was at the very top of his profession and one of that select group of men who were, and are, Britain’s fast-jet aircrew.
I rate this book as the best ever written on the UK Phantom from an operational point of view and cannot recommend it highly enough to Phantom Phans the world over though to those of you that may be of a slightly cynical nature I can deny any financial attachment to this fine book. As a huge Phantom Phan myself it has really opened my eyes to the difficulties experienced and the superb role it played to keep our skies safe for over two decades.
The picture below shows Dave Gledhill in the cockpit of XV490 at Newark in 2011. Dave actually flew in this aircraft whilst with the RAF and he has included several pictures of it in the book of it during its time in RAF service.
Anon.
By: davegledhill - 28th September 2013 at 08:06
I just produced the attached video. Although its an ad you may enjoy the pictures.
By: davegledhill - 21st March 2013 at 20:19
I’ll be signing copies of “Phantom In Focus on both days at Cockpitfest 2013 with a donation from each sale going to the Museum funds. I also have one of the limited edition copies signed by over 60 “Phormer Phantom Phlyers” which I’ll be raffling for charity. The draw will take place on Sunday at the end of the show. Please dig deep for a worthy cause.
By: davegledhill - 2nd January 2013 at 12:30
Is that the copy you want to auction, Dave?
Anon.
That’s my own copy but I still have the two others for the charities. Still trying to work out how to auction them off.
By: Arabella-Cox - 2nd January 2013 at 09:14
Nice!
Is that the copy you want to auction, Dave?
Anon.
By: davegledhill - 2nd January 2013 at 07:32
So, who were the lucky beggars who got this book in their Christmas stocking then?
If so, what do you think of it?
Anon.
I got a copy (#1) and it’s signed by 60 ex Phantom aircrew:D
By: davegledhill - 2nd January 2013 at 07:31
Most informative, interesting book.
Still reading Mike, I will bring it up next time i see you so you can sign it for me. Cheers dude!!!!!!ps got some Gun spook kit for your seat.
Happy landingds & new year.
Let me know when you’re at Newark and I’ll sign it for you too!
By: bravo24 - 2nd January 2013 at 01:50
Most informative, interesting book.
Still reading Mike, I will bring it up next time i see you so you can sign it for me. Cheers dude!!!!!!
ps got some Gun spook kit for your seat.
Happy landingds & new year.
By: Arabella-Cox - 1st January 2013 at 20:46
Lucky Beggars?
So, who were the lucky beggars who got this book in their Christmas stocking then?
If so, what do you think of it?
Anon.
By: davegledhill - 24th December 2012 at 13:16
If it’s just half as good as the Phantom book then you may even get ME reading about the Tornado in service (quick dig at Pully113:diablo:)
Any idea of when it might be appearing on the shelves?
Anon.
The plan for the Tornado book is to follow the same format with loads of pictures.
The content will include quite a lot about the development and testing of the aircraft as well as the flying side.
Should be out in mid 2014. The Falklands book will be out in Autumn 2013.
By: TwinOtter23 - 18th December 2012 at 19:34
Hmm… now let me guess. It wouldn’t be a certain museum just off the A1, NE of Nottingham would it?:D
Anon.
No you’re getting confused with this place! :diablo:
By: Arabella-Cox - 18th December 2012 at 19:29
New Book
If it’s just half as good as the Phantom book then you may even get ME reading about the Tornado in service (quick dig at Pully113:diablo:)
Any idea of when it might be appearing on the shelves?
Anon.
By: charliehunt - 18th December 2012 at 19:23
Good news!! – Keep us informed….:)
By: Jayslater - 18th December 2012 at 18:47
And more good news is that Dave has been commissioned to write his third aviation memoir: Tornado F3 – A Navigator’s Eye on Britain’s Last Interceptor.
All very exciting and it is great to be working with Dave once more.
Jay
By: Arabella-Cox - 18th December 2012 at 17:12
In stock
Hmm… now let me guess. It wouldn’t be a certain museum just off the A1, NE of Nottingham would it?:D
Anon.
By: TwinOtter23 - 18th December 2012 at 15:55
Hi David.
I am afraid you are going to be disappointed. Cosford do not stock it and he can’t find it anywhere on their system. Guy said he would check with Hendon and get back to me. He sounded disappointed himself as we both agreed it would, as a title, fit perfectly with the Cold War Museum.
He has got back to me to say that the RAFM do not deal with Fonthill Media. I came across the same problem seven years ago when a book I had written was not stocked by the RAFM on the grounds that it was not from a mainstream publisher.
Regards,
kev35
Kev – send me a PM if you get stuck trying to purchase a copy, I know somewhere that has them in stock! 😉
By: charliehunt - 18th December 2012 at 14:31
I have chosen The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, which maintains the memorial to ‘The Few’ atop the White Cliffs of Dover.[/I]
None better in this case – I am delighted to be able to contribute by purchasing a copy. I already have two signed copies of William Walker’s poems.
By: charliehunt - 18th December 2012 at 14:28
If it’s not a typo they are clearly anticipating the second hand value if it ever goes out of print!!;):diablo:
By: davegledhill - 18th December 2012 at 14:26
Edit: Just found it on Amazon and interested to see there are a couple of Used copies available for just under £1000 – I think I’ll stick with new!!
A bargain at half the price………………:confused:
By: davegledhill - 18th December 2012 at 14:13
Thanks Kev. It doesn’t surprise me. Writing the book was easy in comparison with trying to give money to charity………..
This was what I said in the Authors Note. You’d think The RAF Museum would at least stock it!!!!
My motives for this enterprise have been charitable. I will donate to service-related charities, so I trust my peers will be equally charitable in debriefing my efforts. It proved remarkably difficult to donate to the high profile charities, so I looked for others that are often overlooked in these austere times. I have chosen The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, which maintains the memorial to ‘The Few’ atop the White Cliffs of Dover. I was present at its inauguration, and it seemed fitting. My other choice is the RAF Museum, which preserves historic aircraft for the nation, celebrating our aviation heritage.
By: charliehunt - 18th December 2012 at 14:12
Looks good. I wonder if the author knew Robert Prest?
That was the first thing I thought of as I started to read the thread. So good to read Dave’s post in answer to your question. This sounds a “must” for Christmas or as soon afterwards as possible!!:)
Edit: Just found it on Amazon and interested to see there are a couple of Used copies available for just under £1000 – I think I’ll stick with new!!
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December 7, 2012 at 10:40 pm