The Eagle and The Osprey
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
WWII – 1944 – Pacific War Zone Six men gather around a circular table in the lounge of the Pacific Fleet Replacement Pilot pool on Ford Island in the Middle of Pearl Harbor. They do not mingle withthe two dozen or more other aviators. They are fighter pilots and consider themselves superior in airmanship compared to the men who fly the bombers and transport craft. The six fighter jockies are bored having been in the pool for almost two months. They have qualified in the new Grumman Hellcat and are anxious to be assigned to a squadron where they can show their stuff. Ensign Bruce Weber is eager to join a squadron but with reservations He wonders if he will be able to do the job. Will I have the guts to stand and fight? Or will I run?
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
WWII – 1944 – The Pacific War Zone In the Pacific Fleet Replacement Pilot Pool at Pearl Harbor, Ensign Bruce Weber receives training in the new Grumman Hellcat fighter planes. He is then assigned to a fighter squadron aboard a carrier. Bruce demonstrates exceptional airmanship skills, shooting down several enemy aircraft. After he has accounted for more than a dozen enemy planes, squadron enlisted personnel repaint their hero’s plane with white engine speedring and tail to resemble a bald eagle. During the first few months of the deployment, three of Bruce’s close friends are shot down by Kenji Okada, a Japanese super ace known as “The Osprey”. Okada flies a Distinctively painted Zero. Bruce swears vengeance and searches for the Osprey on every flight. The two aces eventually meet. The dogfight is long and difficult but Bruce finally shoots Okada down. Returning to the carrier, Bruce lands almost out of fuel just before the ship is disabled by a Kamikaze. Fire decimates the aircraft and the ship is out of action. Both are ordered back to the states, their fighting days over at least for a while.
About the Author
David Weaver is a retired naval aviator and school teacher He enlisted in the Navy V-5 Avaition Cadet Program in 1942 served 39 years in the naval reserve and retired with the rank of commander.. After flight training his tours of active duty involved flying Hellcat and Corsair fighter planes off carriers during WWII and Grumman Panther jet fighters during the Korean war. Between wars he served as an instructor at the Naval Aviation Training Command at Corpus Christi, TX. Remaining in the Reserves after the Korean conflict, he taught El-Hi and college classes in Calif. Weaver received a BS degree from the Univ. of So. Cal and holds an MS degree from Cal St. Univ., Los Angeles. He now lives in Florida.