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Kerosene Cowboys
Pilots Library - Arrington_KC - 2301
Price: $31.45
No Inventory
SLUFS, fliers and nostalgia combine to make a great read
in Randy Arrington's foray into capturing the lives and
lifestyles of the members of the VA-204 "River Rattlers"
- quasi-fictional reservists called up in the early
1990s, for story's sake, to represent the A-7 community
during the Corsair's final cruise.Arrington calls on his
experience as a tactical aviator from the start,
infusing personalities and quirks into the Rattlerready room to develop a cross section of characters
running the spectrum from choir boys (very few) to
stereotypical jet jocks (quite a few) that typically
inhabit a squadron while offering a detailed image of
life in a reserve unit. Stress and concerns associated
with the activation are mitigated by the excitement of
getting back on the ship and heading to far-off locales.
Details of the workup period draw the reader into the
world of tactical Navy flying, the depth of preparation
for missions and the rewards of these efforts in a job
well done. Arrington's portrayal of the lifestyle of
early 90s aviators will bring smiles of knowing
appreciation to the indoctrinated, and envy to all
others.Extended All Officers Meetings (and this in the
days before PowerPoint), trips to watering holes across
the country familiar to all, terrifically engineered
pranks (one reflected a certain XO's asbestos "scare" on
the Connie a few years back), golf games with
dignitaries and volumes of (rather non-P.C.) banter
between comrades take the reader right back to that life
of minor stress and terrific excitement. The tale
follows Brad "Teen Angel" Ackerman - who supplements his
day job as a Hollywood stunt pilot with monthly trips to