Derek Robinson 5 Books Collection Set - Military Aviation War Fiction - Paperback

Titles in This Set
Hullo Russia, Goodbye England
A Splendid Little War
War Story
Hornet's Sting
Goshawk Squadron

Details
Condition: Brand New
Format: Paperback
Publisher: MacLehose Press

Overview
This five-book Derek Robinson collection brings together his signature blend of dark comedy and unflinching military history, spanning three eras of British air warfare. From the doomed pilots of the Royal Flying Corps to a Cold War Vulcan bomber crew facing down the Cuban Missile Crisis, Robinson strips away the romance of flight to show the fear, pride, and dark humor of the men in the cockpit. Sharp dialogue, meticulous period detail, and morally complicated leaders make this set essential reading for anyone who loves aviation fiction grounded in real history.

About the Books
Derek Robinson built his reputation on refusing to sentimentalize war, and this set traces his RAF-focused fiction across three distinct conflicts. Goshawk Squadron and War Story are set during the First World War, immersing readers in the fragile biplanes and brutal training grounds of the Royal Flying Corps, where green recruits quickly learn that survival depends as much on luck as skill. Hornet's Sting continues this early period, extending Robinson's portrait of squadron life built on gallows humor and grim professionalism under the constant threat of death. A Splendid Little War shifts to the chaotic aftermath of the Armistice, following RAF airmen drawn into the Russian Civil War as Winston Churchill, then War Secretary, pushes British support for the White Russian cause against the Bolsheviks. Hullo Russia, Goodbye England jumps forward decades, picking up the RAF veteran Silk as he re-enlists to fly the Avro Vulcan, Britain's iconic Cold War bomber, during the tense standoff of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Across all five novels, Robinson's prose is spare and pointed, built on authentic service jargon, tightly choreographed combat sequences, and commanding officers as likely to endanger their men as protect them. Fans of black-comedy war fiction paired with real aviation history will recognize Robinson's distinctive voice throughout this set.

Key Benefits

• Five complete Derek Robinson novels in one brand-new paperback set
• Spans three eras of British aviation history: WWI, the Russian Civil War, and the Cold War
• Booker Prize-shortlisted author known for sharp, unsentimental military fiction
• Great gift for readers of war fiction, aviation history, and RAF stories
• Compact paperback format, easy to pack for travel or read on the go

Book-by-Book Guide
Hullo Russia, Goodbye England — RAF veteran Silk re-enlists to fly the Avro Vulcan bomber as the Cuban Missile Crisis brings the world to the edge of nuclear war.
A Splendid Little War — RAF airmen are drawn into the Russian Civil War as Churchill pushes British support for White Russian forces.
War Story — Lieutenant Oliver Paxton joins the Royal Flying Corps in 1916 and learns the brutal reality of aerial combat over the Somme.
Hornet's Sting — Part of Robinson's Royal Flying Corps series, following squadron pilots through the dark, perilous realities of First World War aerial warfare.
Goshawk Squadron — Robinson's Booker Prize-shortlisted debut follows the ruthless Major Stanley Woolley and his squadron through the final months of World War I.

About the Author
Derek Robinson is a British author born in Bristol in 1932, best known for his military aviation novels laced with dark comedy. A Cambridge history graduate, he worked in advertising before turning to fiction, and his 1971 debut, Goshawk Squadron, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. He went on to write an acclaimed trilogy of World War Two novels, Piece of Cake, A Good Clean Fight, and Damned Good Show, alongside espionage fiction including The Eldorado Network. Robinson has also written nonfiction on rugby and Bristol history.

Why You'll Love This Collection
Five novels of cockpit tension, gallows humor, and hard-won historical detail make this set a standout gift for any aviation buff or war fiction reader. Perfect for Father's Day, birthdays, or building out a serious military fiction library, these brand-new paperbacks reward readers who want their history vivid, honest, and unforgettable.

Please Note: This is the UK edition with the ISBN as listed; the cover may vary slightly from the image shown.