Mustang Ace: Memoirs of a P-51 Fighter Pilot

De: Robert J. Goebel

Narrado por: Gary Goebel

When Bob Goebel left home to join the Army Air Corps in 1942, he was 19 years old and a high school graduate. Cadet Goebel worked his way steadily through Basic, Primary, and Advanced phases of military flight training, and found in himself an aptitude for flight. After graduation from flight school, with his new wings and new commission as a 2d Lieutenant, he and his classmates were posted to a fighter squadron defending the Panama Canal. By the spring of 1944 he was on his way to Italy and the 31st Fighter Group, one of the top fighter outfits of the war. He was also headed for a new aircraft, the legendary P-51 Mustang. After 61 combat missions now Captain Goebel was officially credited with 11 victories in his Mustang. Returning home in September 1944, he was not yet 21 years old.

Goebel's memoir is a classic of combat aviation, giving the listener a true sense of what it was like to fly and fight as a World War II fighter pilot. It covers stories about the often overlooked 12th AF in Italy, and tales of flying the classic P-51D, America's ultimate piston-engined fighter.

About the Author: Following the war, Robert J. Goebel attended college on the GI Bill, earning a degree in physics from the University of Wisconsin. Returning to the air force, he served on active duty for almost 30 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1966 after working on the Gemini launch vehicle for NASA. He then worked in the aerospace industry, including on the Skylab project. The author died in February, 2012, just days short of his 88th birthday. He was preceded into the unknown, in 2006, by his wife, June.

©1991 Gary M. Goebel (P)2016 Gary M. Goebel

Great Story, listened at 1.5

As a pilot this is a great story to listen to and admire the amount of work and dedication that is placed to become a fighter pilot, a true inspiration.

The historical story telling.

His accurate documentation of his father's exploits honors his dad and brings life and meaning to the record..

Genuine, detailed and incredible

This is an amazing telling of P51 combat during World War II. Stories are very detailed and articulated perfectly. The reader did an excellent job too.

Wonderful book

I met the author multiple years in a row as a child at the Reno Air Races when I was younger. He signed a hard copy of this book which I still have to this day. I really enjoy reading this book.

Interesting personal account of a fighter pilot

It’s said right in the intro that the book was written in hopes of communicating his story and experiences as a pilot in WWII to future family members. That said, it’s still a great book full of interesting details about the war for everyone.

It is narrated by his son, who is unlikely a professional narrator, so the lack of performance is traded for hearing the story read in as close a voice as you can get to the actual author, which, does add to the authenticity of the audiobook.

All in all, a good book and worth your time if you like WWII aviation.