'Black' Robertson
Article, Author of books, Ghostwriter, Non-fiction
Also writes as
Graeme blackrobertson.com
Books by 'Black' Robertson
I've produced four well-received books - as a writer, ghostwriter and editor. They're notable for their authenticity, excitement and easy-to-read style.
13 978-19117141
Flying Through the Ranks
Flying Through the Ranks is genuine five-star stuff, with nearly 40 contributors from a marshal of the RAF to a junior technician. Their stories run the gamut of risk-taking - Cold War to the Balkans.
A Lightning first-tourist succumbs to the ‘press-on’ spirit. Later, in the Falklands, calculated gambles put tanker and helicopter crews in danger. A brilliant, almost equally risky piece of improvisation averts potential disaster for a Hunter pilot, while for a split-second a Harrier aviator stares death in the face. A Typhoon pilot meets aggressive Russians and a Phantom flyer who tries the Navy for size finds he rather likes it. He eventually transfers his allegiance – unlike the Buccaneer navigator who happily returns to the fold after his own carrier experiences. And from Kosovo there's a tale of an astonishing helicopter escape.
Engineer stories abound too – in fact, a Phantom engineer becomes the first woman to fly operationally in the RAF. There are accounts of unlikely escapades in Cyprus, fighting in the Dhofar War, a UK base prone to serious accidents. Finally, a Suez incident exemplifies the bond between those who fly and those who support them on the ground.
978-1911667490
From Spitfires to Vampires and Beyond - A Kiwi Ace's RAF Journey
Spitfire pilot Owen Hardy was probably the last New Zealand ace to tell his story. He left home at 18 bent on joining the RAF; by 1942, aged only 20, he was at Biggin Hill with 72 Squadron under Brian Kingcome. D-Day found him flying over the Normandy beaches with 485 (New Zealand) Squadron. That he survived the war unharmed owed as much to luck as to his ability as a fighter pilot. Unable to settle in civilian life in New Zealand afterwards, he rejoined the RAF for the second phase of a remarkable career. Converting to jets, Hardy went on to command 71 Squadron, leading a Vampire aerobatic team in displays across Europe – dodging MiGs at the same time! But adapting to peacetime service wasn’t easy. Previously stimulated by the wartime environment and still passionate about flying, he was less enamoured with staff work. Then a fateful decision, to turn down a Javelin posting and follow his mentor, led finally to disillusionment. Hardy pulls no punches in this forthright and refreshingly honest autobiography. In retelling his story, editor Black Robertson shines a light not just on what it was like to fly in combat, but also on the changing face of the post-war RAF.
978-1399099035
A Spitfire Named Connie
‘A Spitfire Named Connie’ is an exciting, rollercoaster of a story. Through hundreds of his letters, the prequel to ‘Fighters in the Blood’ tells the tale of decorated Spitfire ace ‘Robbie’ Robertson’s two great loves: flying and the schoolgirl he eventually marries, Together with diaries, correspondence from RAF colleagues and Robbie’s flying logbook, they bring a unique authenticity to this highly-charged tale. It reads like a novel, filled with excitement, pathos and compassion, yet, incredible as it may seem, almost every word is true.
978-1526784865
Fighters in the Blood
Two stories with fascinating parallels unfold in this unique memoir. One of a WWII Spitfire ace, the other of his progeny, a second generation fighter pilot. The author's reminiscences are interwoven with those of his father in an intensely personal, revealing and at times controversial story. Anyone interested to know more about flying, about the RAF, about leadership, about character even, need look no further than this beautifully crafted, immensely readable account.