Dean Wright reviews a classic book from days gone by Neil Williams was a name that I had seen many references to when reading of air displays of yesteryear. When I saw he had written a book relating his most notable experiences, I decided it was time to learn more. Neil's Airborne (Airlife, 1977) begins with a tale of what many of us dream of - flying a Spitfire. Even Williams, a qualified RAF fast-jet pilot, thought his chances remote: "It appeared to resemble the question of landing at Gibraltar, a treacherous and unforgiving airfield when there was a crosswind. 'You can't land at Gibraltar unless you've landed there before,' they said. So it was with a Spitfire: 'You can't fly our Spitfire unless you've flown one before!' Williams had a wonderful talent, being a skilful pilot and writer, which the reader soon discovers as he tells of his first encounter with Mitchell's wonder. You feel as if you'are sitting upon his shoulder. Neil also abolishes any ideas of being a supremely confident pilot; he relates his intense nerves at being afforded this rare privilege and anxiety not to mess it up.
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