In 1936, Ben Findlay becomes a ramp monkey at a local air field. For him, the excitement of watching the planes and the romantic demeanor of the pilots captures his imagination. Soon, he trades work on the ramp for flying lessons in an old Spearman biplane. He turns out to be a natural, mastering rolls and barnstorming tricks. During his second year he is approached by a recruiter looking for pilots to fly for the Republicans in Spain against Franco's forces. Before his eighteenth birthday, Ben is training for aerial combat against the Condor Legion supported by Nazi Germany.
Ben's coming-of-age story is set against this backdrop of war. Initially, a naive boy looking for thrills, he learns that loyalty to country and crew are more important that thrills. When the Republicans fall, Ben and his best friend flee into France and ultimately on to England. There, Ben joins the RAF. Already an ace pilot, his skills are quickly put to work fighting the Germans. When the Battle for Britain begins, Ben flies multiple sorties on a daily basis.
The flying sequences are full of action. Ben and the rest of the characters are fully drawn and believable. The end feels rushed, but still wraps up all major threads. A good book for anyone interested in flying, combat and aerial dog fights.
