The book is well written and will have a great appeal to those readers that like some technical details on flying, especially the flying of such planes as Tiger Moths, Hawker Hurricanes, Miles Masters and of course the Spitfire. It gives an interesting insight into the workings of the RAF during WW2, leading to some frustrating and, at times, comical situations.

I found this book enjoyable, interesting and feel it gives a fascinating insight into the role of the reconnaissance pilots during WW2. I would definitely recommend it.

The Rolls Royce Heritage Trust

A superb memoir of an PR pilot in WW2. With tales from ground and air, Johnson paints the picture of his time in the RAF and USAAF, with all the lumps and bumps you would expect in such a perilous job. Although the job in hand was to take pictures over enemy ground, this is not the focus of this memoir. it covers friendships, comradery, pearl, and incredible dedication.

It’s just a great read… as simple as that.



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Vintage Airfix

Very interesting book. I love all stories about WW2 written by the people who actually were there, and this one is no exception... On top of it all his writing style is very good, and very humorous at that ! Here’s a book that is well worth reading.

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Flyin' and Ridin' Blog, Francois A. Dumas

Subtitled "A Photographic Reconnaissance Spitfire Pilot in WWII", this is as it seems, a memoir of a PR pilot. But it's more than just that. Johnson was a young airman volunteer, who knew only that he didn't want to be drafted into the army to face terror and death on the battlefield. So as soon as he was old enough he volunteered for the RAF thinking he'd spend the war sweeping out hangars. Somehow he ended up being chosen for NCO aircrew, showed an aptitude and volunteered for Spitfires, albeit unarmed ones! This led to him being in almost suicidal situations flying from North African airfields over the Med in unarmed, barely serviceable aircraft deep into enemy territory. It is a touching book, written in his own words, about how poorly he was treated as an 'other rank' in an officer's world. Even after he received his commission, he felt no acceptance and his health suffered as a result. This book fills in a valuable gap, exploring a very different viewpoint of Spitfire flying and is to be recommended.

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Clash of Steel

The description of training flying and of the conduct of solo PR sorties, and one man's personal recollections of his time in uniform, do provide some useful insights into life in the wartime RAF.

RAF Historical Society

Kenneth Johnson offers us a slice of life in the RAF that deals with little-known missions, but is appreciable for the human side of a war that had little of human. Johnson, who tried to avoid the danger by enlisting in the RAF, was instead chosen for one of the most dangerous roles in the service, literally being "a spy" in full visibility, in enemy territory and without armament, his story, that of one of the Spitfire's last pilots, it is singular but highly enjoyable.

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Old Barbed Wire Blog

The author recounts his career as a young photo reconnaissance pilot flying Spitfires during WWII. This is a most welcome book covering one of the vital aspects of modern warfare which rarely receives coverage – Highly Recommended.

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Firetrench

It's extremely well written and builds in a very nice manner.

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