As Featured In

Model Aircraft Magazine, Vol. 21 February 2022

This is an interesting account of part of the Falklands War that I haven't read much about before, in particular the operations on the mainland of South America.

www.historyofwar.org

Dick Hutchings won the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroic actions during the Falklands War – but for a quarter of a century he has remained silent about his involvement in the conflict. Now, in this riveting book, he reveals for the first time the story of his work as a special forces pilot and, in particular, what went wrong both in the air and on the ground during Operation Mikado – the ill-fated bid to land SAS soldiers in Argentina so they could carry out covert operations. The sensitive nature of his experiences provide the reader with some fascinating insights into the conduct of operations.

Lancashire Telegraph

Like the author, I flew Royal Navy helicopters in the 80s and 90s. As a Wasp and Lynx pilot I served two tours in the Falklands but did not serve in the conflict itself and I take my hat off to those that did. I did work with Dick for a couple of years at Boscombe Down and was amazed by his modesty given his stories from the war and Distinguished Service Cross. I have used his book a couple of times for source material about his one way flight to Chile carrying an SAS raiding party. It really is edge of the seat, 'boys own' stuff. For anyone interested in the Fleet Air Arm, maritime helicopter operations or the Falklands Conflict should definitely own this book.

Christopher Taylor