
In the thick of the First World War, the sky over England becomes a new battlefield where daring young men chase the dream of earning their pilot’s wings. Amid the roar of engines and the cheers of onlookers, a bright‑eyed trainee named Dastrel pushes his two‑seat fighter through daring spirals and daring loops, testing the limits of both machine and courage. The spectacle captures a nation’s hope that mastery of the air could turn the tide of a war fought on the ground.
As the final assessment ends, Dastrel receives his coveted brevet and is swiftly drawn into the Royal Flying Corps’ urgent missions. With his skill now certified, he faces the stark reality of combat patrols over the Western Front, where the clash of aircraft echoes the trench warfare below. The story follows his early steps into this perilous world, blending the exhilaration of early aviation with the grim resolve of wartime service.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (276K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by R.G.P.M. van Giesen
Release date
2013-12-04
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1876–1947
Best known for brisk adventure stories for younger readers, this early 20th-century British writer had a special flair for airships, aviation, and bold journeys into the unknown. His books mix fast-moving action with the period's excitement about new technology and faraway places.
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