Roaring Thunder A Novel of the Jet Age Author:Walter J. Boyne The story of the jet age of aviation revolves around remarkable geniuses-including Sir Frank Whittle, the British inventor of the jet engine; Hans von Ohain, a German jet engine designer; famed aeronautical engineer Kelly Johnson; the daring test pilot Tex Johnston; and many more-brilliant men who conceived early, extraordinary airplanes and had... more » the courage to fly them to new horizons.Roaring Thunder blends real life adventures of the industry giants with the fictional Vance Shannon and his aviation family. Shannon, a prototypical American test pilot, sees and guides the birth of American jet aviation. His sons, Tom and Harry, fly the new jets in combat. Their aviation careers are blessed by skill and courage, and they help usher in the greatest advance in aviation history with the birth of the transport.The Shannons serve as counterparts to the real-life heroes, creating continuity and explaining the intricacies, successes, and setbacks of a brand new industry.This dramatic, accurate story of the beginning of the jet age is presented against a background of real and fictional personalities who bring the story to life.« less