Flight of the Intruder (1986) is a fictionalized story based on the author’s actual experience as a A-6 Intruder pilot during the Vietnam war. The novel was an instant bestseller. The A-6 series of Intruder war jets beginning with the A-6A (i.e. A-6) was used in service of the Navy and the marines, which are part of the Navy. Flying from aircraft carriers, and reaching speeds up to 644 mph, the Intruders would attack loaded with up to 18,000 lbs. (8200 kg) of missiles. The A-6 had a crew of two sitting side by side. The jet first came into service during the Vietnam war. The Intruder was in service from 1963 - 1997. Flight of the Intruder became an instant bestseller giving the reader a realistic look at flight combat and pilot life during the Vietnam war. Movie length audiobook.
Stephen Coonts (1946 - ) born and raised in Buckhannon, West Virginia, Stephen graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in Political Science. He got his A-6 Intruder training at the Naval Air Station on Whidbey Island, Washington. Captain Coonts served aboard the USS Enterprise and clocked 1600 flight hours. He was awarded the Distinguished Fly Cross. After his service he got a degree in law. While working as a lawyer, Mr. Coonts wrote Flight of the Intruder. Thanks to the book’s success he became a full-time novelist, writing the Intruder series, the Saucer series, and Deep Black series. His latest work is The Russia Account published in 2019.
Quotes: Mistakes are inevitable in Aviation…The trick is not to make a mistake that will kill you.
(Flying) It’s the most exciting thing you’ve ever done with your pants on.
Frank Converse (1938 - ) was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He earned a degree in drama at Carnegie Melon University. During his career, Frank Converse acted in numerous TV series, as well as movies and later in his career, on Broadway. Mr. Converse starred in the 1960s tv series NYPD where each episode was based on a real New York police case. He also starred as the man with amnesia whose life is in danger in the intriguing and strange Coronet Blue. He guest starred in shows such as; Columbo, Starsky and Hutch, Bionic Woman, and Baa Baa Black Sheep. (Black Sheep has a good theme song, it’s here on YT. BTW the saying “Black Sheep” came from sheep farmers. Black wool from black sheep was less valuable than white wool because….. it can’t be dyed.)