On the last point, Meint, so do I but approaching 73 you can’t promise. To complete the current novel is the prime objective.
As to release date, late 2011 at the present rate of progress. I was chased by Headline Review, ‘my’ publisher within the Hachette empire, to deliver the already overdue MS by early December but I’ve only completed 65,000-words so far with a similar amount remaining. The only reassurance I could give my patient and supportive editor Martin Fletcher is that I believe the work is pretty good. The reasons for the delay: a period of ill-health and a projected house-move followed by a dispute with a neighbouring land-owner over boundaries and a right-of-way that may well end up in court; costly in time and money.

Hints on plot and characters? Well, its’ central figure is emerging as something of a monster, most interesting to write; perceived by the world in general as an aviation hero (as indeed he is) but gradually revealed as a predatory and unprincipled swine with unfortunate political ambitions. The effects of said swine on those around him, particularly a son, provide the motive power of the plot.

It’s been enjoyable to deal with real locations in Kent, Sussex and France, particularly Alfriston and Rye. I said jokingly to Martin that, on publication, I hoped signs would appear along the roads: You Are Now Entering Barnard Country. But weaving in historical fact as the fictional plot progresses is a fascinating exercise. This morning for example I’m focussing on the Flying Village that existed at Brooklands before the Great War, where my aviator is about to begin his flying career, in flashback I might add because the chapters not only develop the story from the perspective of different characters but also at different dates, back and forth in time.

I’m wary of revealing too much because this is new territory for me and I hope my readers will follow me there. Martin thought it might be ‘the
breakthrough novel’; the first three having sold very well but not up there with the mega best-sellers. Who knows? All you can do is plug on, write as carefully and as interestingly as you can and hope it meets, eventually, with approval and enjoyment.

Meanwhile, many thanks to Meint for getting in touch.

Oldie magazine asked me to review two DVDs marking the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. For my full report see the September issue, out now at all good outlets. However, while Voice From The Battle Of Britain (lst Take £14.95) satisfactorily tells the tale, The Battle Of Britain: 70th Anniversary (Go Entertain £12.99) does not, despite offering three discs to lst Take’s one.

I won’t labour the point here but Go Entertain’s claim that their product is ‘a blow-by-blow account of the close-run conflict’ is precious thin, as are further claims that it is ‘expertly edited’ and ‘the story as never told before.’ Although perhaps the last is nearer the truth. As I concluded my review, between these two offerings there is, as in 1940, a clear winner.

The next day a car stopped at the end of our drive; it seemed someone might be lost. Jan, already in the garden, went to help. Turned out the couple in the car had heard our house might be for sale, so they were invited in. At which point I recognised the woman as Clare Holman, aka Rosa Dartle from the Dickens serial we had viewed only hours before.

Hence, the title of this blog. Her husband, by the way, turned out to be the distinguished stage director Howard Davies, of National Theatre, RSC and Warehouse Theatre fame, who has worked with many famous names: Kevin Spacey, Daniel Craig, David Suchet, Francesca Annis and of course Clare Holman herself; the list goes on. To be candid we were somewhat awed to be in the presence of such prodigious talent. But I did suggest to Ms Holman that if they were interested in buying the house we hoped she would not assume the character of Rosa Dartle. And if that doesn’t mean much to you, watch the DVD.

The feature can be read in full by downloading a PDF version here →.

It’s a while since I read Oldie but I thoroughly recommend it as an excellent and broad-ranging read, and not just for oldies either. I never quite understand this sensitivity about being accused of being old, as though it’s some sort of insult. If you’re old you’re old.

In Letters in the current issue of Oldie one reader relates how she took some back issues to her doctor’s surgery and put them on the waiting room table only to be told by one of the assistants:

‘I don’t think that’s funny. We get a lot of old people in here and they wouldn’t think that was very nice.’

Norfolkline had ‘donated’ the boat for the day and organised various commemorative events on both sides of the Channel; ceremonies involving the veterans themselves and their families, civic dignitaries and politicians, representatives of the Church, choirs of English and French schoolchildren, members of the Royal Choral Society, the Parachute Regimental Band and a band of re-enactors dressed as servicemen of the time, so accurately uniformed as to look like ghosts.

The English children’s choir learning about Dunkirk with the help of two re-enactors dressed as infantrymen

During the crossing the old soldiers, sailors and airmen were the focus of intensive media attention and told their harrowing or inspiring stories (usually both) to a succession of attentive young journalists. Mid-Channel a Hurricane and Spitfire performed a fly-over, the Spit concluding with a victory roll; inspiring stuff that raised a cheer.

Two of the veterans who boarded at Dover

Docked in Dunkirk we gathered at the rail to watch The Little Ships sail past on their way to the inner harbour, the pleasure craft that with the Royal Navy warships were key to the survival of the British army. The Last Post played by a Para bugler was followed by a minute’s silence broken only by the beep of fork-lift trucks unloading nearby container ships and the rumble of distant marine engines.

the ceremony taking place at Dunkirk

Coincidentally I am mid-way through a chapter of my latest novel that involves a character in the events of May 1940 so the chance to talk face-to-face with some of the men who were there was invaluable. But I was invited as a journalist incidentally, not a novelist, as OLDIE magazine had asked me to submit an article on the trip…

This photograph came to light when BBC South East Today, our regional TV station, asked for pictures that represented a turning point in life.

Sitting in this little 500cc racer, possibly a Kieft, I realised for the first time that I might one day be able to race, that it was attainable, instead of just watching other people do it. That dream took quite a long time to come true but sure enough finally I found myself on the starting grid in a single-seater ready to compete in the circuit where, for me, it all began.

The BBC South East reporter/cameraman did a brief piece based on this pic and his feature is scheduled to go out in a week or so. The fact that I’m still racing, and crashing, was for him a bonus…

Ian Edwards warned us on the RAF site that he was commenting on your mistakes in what he describes as ‘excellently researched novels.’ My late father had a brief tour on Sunderlands in the 1950s at Pembroke Dock. He also had a tour on Operations and Luqa in Malta 1946-67 so I have a good knowledge of the island from my school days. The people of that island are wonderful and after all they suffered in World War Two more than deserved the George Cross and British citizenship.

I love your books so more power to your elbow, typing fingers and, hopefully, your Apple Mac.

However, now I am strongly in favour because Tesco have bought 4,000 copies of To Play The Fox for their special promotion at the beginning on June. What an excellent idea, much to be recommended to those keen to demonstrate their affection for the Old Man and what better gift could be imagined than this thrilling yarn?

Well, there’s a flight in a two-seater Spitfire or a crate of Scotch or a weekend for two at The Crillon in Paris or news that you might never again have to see Gordon Brown as Prime Minister on television but let’s be realistic…

Hi Frank,

Thoroughly enjoyed your trilogy, well written, well researched. Annoyed me that a ruddy journalist could capture that spirit I remember so well!

I guess you had brilliant fighter pilot consultants but I noticed one glitch.

I flew Sunderlands but never heard them called Grannies; Flying Porcupine yes, Queen of the Skies yes. Also, in your Malta book, you mention the navigator going aft for a pee. Sorry but the heads were in the bows, stainless steel flush toilet and wash-basin I’ll have you know. Hangover from Empire flying boats I guess. As you came in the front door the heads were under the co-joe’s seat, then a stairway to the upper deck, then a hatchway to the wardroom. There was a flap in the top of the nose we used to stick a hand through and wipe the windscreen in flight, I kid you not!

Also I always thought the engines were dead quiet, especially downstairs where we chatted off-intercom until a blast from the hooter got one of us to get on i/c. By contrast Lancasters and Lincolns were the pits: you couldn’t hear yourself scream off-intercom. I complained after my first trip and one of the hairy-ass elders said: ‘ It’s when you DON’T hear those Merlins boy that you pray!’

By the way, are we going to see the return of Kit, Ossie and the gang in your fourth novel?

To: Ian Edwards from Frank Barnard

Fascinating stuff Ian, even the bit where you tell me I got it wrong about the location of the lavatory on the Sunderland! I thought I got it off one of those exploded technical drawings so beloved by schoolboys of my era, but there you go. As to the nickname ‘Granny’ I certainly came across it during my research but can’t quite recall where as much of the original delving is filed. Perhaps another old Sunderland hand can comment? I’m afraid the usual suspects won’t feature in the next book which is shaping into an ambitious family saga set in Kent, Sussex and France and includes pioneer aviation and combat flying during both world wars.

I’m often asked, as well, what happened Bebe Dubretskov, the devilish little Russian countess of Blue Man Falling and Band Of Eagles but who failed to appear in To Play The Fox. Some have suggested she deserves a novel of her own but frankly I’m scared of the woman…

Further down the track, depending on how long that track may turn out to be, the chaps may well invade Pantalleria, Sicily and Italy in that order but there are a number of other ideas queueing up including motor-racing between the wars and a thriller set in a background of 1950s provincial journalism. The trouble is, this unexpected career came somewhat late…

It went off all right though I think some of the audience were somewhat bemused. Afterwards, shaking hands, I was struck by their leather-like grasps that told of hard manual work, unlike mine, more akin to leather of the chamois variety. However, to my surprise a few had actually read my books and a couple even shared motor-racing as a pastime so I wasn’t entirely at sea. My disclosure that I had once bought a Fordson tractor for £100 aroused most interest however.

It was good to hear that the Sussex accent still flourishes. I’ve been researching the county dialect for the new novel and, while I didn’t detect any of the old phrases, the distinctive pronunciation that filled the meeting room gave a special colour to the event; close your eyes and you could be back in 1890…

I also recommend the venue, The Roebuck pub at Laughton on the B2124 not far from Lewes; family-owned and excellent wholesome cooking using local produce.

If you haven’t caught a ploughing match I recommend it as an interesting insight and at very close quarters into how it’s done these days and, more fascinatingly, was carried out in centuries past by teams of horses and oxen.

We were quite pleased, Jan and I, because this Gallic windfall just about covered a pub lunch, that is until we learned that NatWest were charging me £5.00 to change euros into sterling. Apparently this is quite reasonable. My local branch thought it might have been £10.00, almost 25%. But it does perhaps go some way to explaining why the bankers seem to be doing so particularly well at the moment. All this on top of hearing that some MPs charge £5,000 a day for lobbying which is almost the same as the annual state pension I receive aged 72. Of course I must remember my income from writing which was, now let me see, oh dear. So what am I saying? ‘Rats’ might cover it.

Mr Robinson has a loyal fan base that I’ve dubbed The Robinson Army and from its ranks over the past few years various champions have ridden out to compare my work unfavourably and even to suggest that they are derivative or worse. My protests that I have never read a Robinson novel for fear of being influenced by style or content are disregarded. So, I thought I would go to the man himself.

The following exchange of emails, or extracts at any rate, might be of interest:

From Frank Barnard to Derek Robinson, 9 March 2010
You’ve got a heck of a lot of loyal readers out there and quite a few of them accuse me of stealing your ideas. I’d like to reassure you that I’m absolutely not guilty. It’s quite okay for your fans to say my novels aren’t as good as yours but they are original work and only inspired by source material that inevitably we must share. I was given a copy of Piece Of Cake when I was about to embark on Blue Man Falling but never dared read it for fear of being influenced by prose or plot. In fact I almost junked the MS at an early stage because when I telephoned research at Hendon Aviation Museum and told them what I was planning the researcher said: ‘ Oh yes, Derek Robinson country.’ ‘ Oh my God,’ I said, ‘ you mean he’s covered the same subject?’ ‘ Don’t worry,’ he said,
‘ there’s always room for more.’ On such a small comment turned the somewhat belated career of a budding novelist aged 72. Meanwhile, I’ve borne in mind the fiercely critical comments of The Robinson Army and can only say I’m striving to do better…

Kind regards, Frank Barnard (5066609 LAC Barnard)

From Derek Robinson to Frank Barnard, 13 March 2010
First, let me congratulate you. To make it as a successful novelist at the age of 70-plus says much about your determination, and I reckon determination to be one of the key characteristics of a proven writer. There must be a hundred thousand people out there who said they were going to write a novel when they retired, and as a result there are probably fifty-thousand not-bad half-written novels gathering dust on a top shelf because the writer abandoned them when he discovered how damn difficult the job is.
You are right about my loyal readers and I am constantly surprised and impressed by their passion. I just wrote the books but now I seem to have become part of their lives. One unexpected bonus has been the emails I get from all over, especially the English-speaking countries (but even Finland, Switzerland and Greece). It’s very encouraging-but I can see that The Army’s attitude is a bit hard on you. Look at it this way: it’s just another occupational hazard. One day, some young journalist may be accused of stealing your ideas. Meanwhile I’d like to mention your email in my monthly column called Readers Write on my website. Maybe that will pacify some of the sharpshooters in Robinson’s Army,

Best wishes, Derek Robinson, (2533407 Corporal, acting, paid)

So, an interesting exchange and I certainly recommend Derek Robinson’s lively website, and of course his books. Meanwhile, here’s an anecdote that haunts me. Peter Cook met an acquaintance in Hampstead. ‘ What are you doing these days?’ he said.
‘ Writing a novel,’ said the acquaintance. ‘ Neither am I,’ said Cook. So easy to have gone that way…

I had just finished reading your novel which I had enjoyed immensely when I looked at the acknowledgments. To my pleasant surprise you mentioned the book “Basic Aerobatics” which I wrote some 25 years ago with Ron Campbell. I am so pleased that you found it of use in your research especially as it was written with the Cessna Aerobat aircraft in mind as opposed to the types which are mentioned in your book. Having read all three of your published novels I look forward with keen interest to the next.

On Monday I celebrated my 72nd birthday so I think we must be of similar age. I share your passion for Citroens having owned a succession since the late 1960’s starting with an Ami 6 Break, though the 2cv was never one of them. This due to the vociferous opposition by my son, then age 6, to being dropped off at his primary school in such a vehicle. We settled for a Dyane instead.

My son and I own a Steen Skybolt aerobatic biplane which we keep at Leicester. If you are ever this way and would like to have a trip do please let me know.

Kind regards,

Barry Tempest FRAeS

[click image to view full size]

A nightmare vision that haunts old World War 2 aces of both sides?

Bizarre image supplied by Barry Tempest. It appears to be real, not a DGI blue-screen fantasy…

I have just finished reading your really excellent book about RAF activities during the fall of France, which in most respects seems to have been thoroughly well researched. However whilst this may already have been pointed out, on page 83, & page 239, you refer to the Germans using an MP44 sub machine gun. This would not have been possible in 1940 since

MP 38

Yours sincerely,

David Thurgood.

Eventually I was posted back to Cardington as ‘Mr 1085′, where I was responsible for processing recruits who had been turned down on medical grounds, an excellent job with my own office and plenty of time to polish my snooker skills in the NAAFI between intakes. I wonder, did anyone out there arrive at my desk, no doubt jumping up and down with glee despite the revelation that they suffered from flat feet?

As I am interested in classic aeroplanes and cars my wife came home with Blue Man Falling just before Christmas which she thought I might like believing that I had not seen it. Having read ‘Fighter Pilot’ some years ago when it came to light in my Uncle’s cottage I have been fascinated by that period in history ever since and your book was one I just could not put down. To me it painted such a memorable and interesting picture of what life was like and I was hooked.

I have read various accounts of WW 2 battles by the pilots who flew at that time (Douglas Bader, Bob Stanford-Tuck, Laddie Lucas, Jean Offenberg, Alex Henshaw, etc) all tremendous in their own right but I found your novel based on true experiences really hit a chord with me. There seemed to be something of everything – the opportunity to almost be there as a fly on the wall, the atmosphere, flying skills, courage, comradeship, interplay of the two main characters, romance, intrigue, right over wrong, I could go on. Two extremely well chosen characters, the public schoolboy pitted against the American rebel (with a cause) great stuff. Also, the motoring references were interesting even down to the great Nuvolari in his D type Auto Union where he won at Donington in 1938.

After reading the Blue Man Falling I ordered myself, Band of Eagles and To Play the Fox. Just finished the former so about to start the other. After that, well your next book as you mentioned in your blog might bring back Kit and Ossie, I am sure you could weave them in somewhere until 1945, although if you are doing the first world war that might be bit tricky! Who has got the movie rights? Anyway a thoroughly enjoyable read, many thanks

Kind regards

John Whitsed

Thanks very much for these books. I have only just discovered them in the local library - have read 2 and now on the last one. Unfortunately not quite in order.

I found “To play The Fox” first and found it one of those that are difficult to put down, hence getting the other 2.

I would describe the narrative as gripping and realistic, without being over the top as I have found with some other books.

I have always had an interest in aircraft from the Second World War and have had the experience of seeing a Spitfire a local airshow - fantastic. Modern aircraft may be a lot faster but the Spitfire and Hurricane I view as thoroughbreds - the epitomy of the piston engine aircraft. Last year I went down to “Warbirds Over Wanaka” and had an incredible time.

Thanks once again for tremendous books.

Kind Regards

Graeme Elliott

I’ve just finished reading “Band of Eagles” and found it equally absorbing as “Blue Man Falling”. Its a real tribute to Malta’s ordeal at the hands of the Axis’ air forces. You write so knowledgeably about the RAF and the sometimes strained, relationship between groundcrew and aircrew . Both stories are told as a serviceman would tell them. Its interesting to read a story set in the Battle of France as this period seems to have been overlooked by most authors.

I have served in the RAF for nearly 32 years (Flight Sergeant, Logistics “Mover”), and have witnessed the aircrew/groundcrew interaction on many occasions whilst deploying Tornado squadrons around the world.

A slight tangent here, but I was privileged enough to attend the 65th anniversary of the D Day landings last June and met several ex-RAF veterans of that immense operation, including one fighter controller who landed on Utah Beach with the US Marines! Its a shame that the air force rarely gets a mention in stories of that period, although I appreciate it was primarily a land/sea affair. The Typhoon ground attack squadrons lost many aircrew, based at approximately twenty temporary Forward Operating Bases in Normandy, in the first couple of months after D Day and their story is rarely told.

I am very much looking forward to reading your next novel and wish you all the best for the future.

Best regards,

Paul Amies