291st Review Flying Light Helicopters with the Royal Marines- Col Robert Wilsey

This book contains the most comprehensive description of helicopter –, or any other aircraft-, flying I was ever privileged to review. Being a contemporary of  mr. Wilsey, it also presented me an overview of the world events we both lived through. It also includes visits to some ‘out of the ordinary’ places like St. Kilda!

Mr. Wilsey is gifted with an entertaining and down to earth (peculiar for a flyboy !) stye of writing. He leads the reader through both training and advanced flying of various helicopters, and also some fixed wing training aircraft, in such a detailed way that you end up with the idea that you could give it a go yourself!

For flying adepts this book is undoubtedly a recommendation, however it may be a bit over the top for more general aviation oriented readers. His way of reporting about the various operation theatres where mr. Wilsey flew helicopters  in support of the ‘boots on the ground’  gives a sobering insight view on what the servicemen had to endure. For me the most impressive operation was his account about what British Military had to bear during The Troubles in Northern Ireland. For an outstander it is virtually impossible to understand how they succeeded upholding their morale. But it explains the battle readiness of the Brits during the following Conflict in the Southern Ocean!

Alongside his various deployment reports mr. Wilsey assembled a weath of photographic material  that he shares with the reader of his entertaining and sometimes fascinating book.