The Royal Air Force is one of the most technologically advanced armed forces in the world, with a reputation for fighting well above its size and weight. To most people the first thought they have about the RAF is about pilots and aircrew – quite right too. But for every one of the pilots to take off and deliver a mission successfully there will be a team on the ground making that happen, actually around twenty people for each pilot (which makes the aircrew a vital, but relatively small percentage of the entire force). The daring exploits of our aviators are deservedly well documented, but what about the hundreds of people on the ground that never fly in combat missions and yet enable every single mission to actually happen? This book is a very personal and sometimes emotional journey giving an insight into life in the RAF from the late 1970s to the end of the century, for just one of the support trades – Trade Group No 1: the aircraft armourer. After all, as the founder of the RAF – Lord Trenchard is reputed to have said “without armament, there is no Air Force”. What the armourers say (tongue firmly in cheek) is that without armament, the RAF would be a glorified flying club!
Born in 1959 in Wolverhampton in England. Philip joined the RAF in 1977 as an Aircraft Mechanic—Weapons (AMW or Armourer) and left as a Sergeant after a 22-year career that included tours in Germany and detachments all over the world and saw active duty in the First Gulf War. He used the RAF opportunities for higher education—earning a BSc (Hons) degree with the Open University. Philip also gained degree level Health and Safety qualifications and became a Chartered H&S Consultant. During his second career he held several director level positions working in the construction industry in the UK and Middle East.
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Reviews
4 reviews
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NoI am not a pilot by Philip James
Excellent auto biography.
Thoroughly enjoyed the way the aothor described
his experience in the RAF
Armourer Department.
I felt as if he was in my room telling me everything he had been through . Can highly recommend this books a really interesting read.
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Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 September 2024
A fascinating read showing a great insight into life in the RAF through the eyes of the author. Covering a lifetime of experience both good and bad into his life and showing how his resilience, perseverance and training shaped his life. As non military it opened a window to service life and life after leaving the forces. The abbreviations took a bit of understanding but I found the descriptions at the back really helpful. Excellent.
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No I’m not a Pilot is a captivating journey through the life of an RAF armourer. A down-to-earth story that reveals a wonderful, private insight into the RAF and the vital role that armourers play. Filled with real-life events, adventure, laughter and nostalgia, this is a true dedication to the author’s personal life, family, friends, and to one of the world’s greatest Air Forces.
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I laughed, cried, sighed and learnt a great deal about a world I knew little about. The book is not just about the RAF, but the life of a young man and his journey through life, a great read.
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