Told in the pilots' own words whenever possible, this collection of eight biographical sketches evokes the tension and danger of aerial combat during World War Two. All of those cited in this text flew out of the famous Hornchurch airfield. This title features the lives and flying careers (including pre and post war) of eight of the famous and not so famous pilots who flew from Hornchurch. These are: Air Chief Marshal Sir Harry Broadhurst; New Zealander Air Vice-Marshal William Crawford-Compton; Squadron Leader Dave Glaser; Flight Lieutenant Eric Lock; American Flight Lieutenant William Tex Ash; Squadron Leader Peter Brown; Squadron Leader Iain Hutchinson and Flight Lieutenant Les Harvey. Chosen to give as great a variety of experience and insight as possible, in differing theatres and on different aircraft, the biographies consist of stories told in the pilots' own words from interviews with themselves (where possible), family, friends, colleagues and groundcrew, the information gleaned from combat reports and logbooks. These men came from all walks of life, some pre-war regulars, others Volunteer Reserve Auxiliary airmen, some just weekend flyers.