First novel in the Queen's Airman series, following Hugh Thomas through his early air force days. He completes his growing up in a strict regime enlivened by demanding training both physically and academically. Love and sex are also taken care of by several women only too eager for liaisons with the handsome young man in uniform. He is involved in many escapades and forms friendships with members of the 73rd Entry, No1 Radio School. Friends who appear later in the series. During his third year Thomas comes to the attention of the security services who recruit him for a special task working in a secret establishment in an attempt to hoodwink a Russian GRU team operating in the UK. An early introduction in to what is to become a life of love, despair, intrigue and death. A time of growing up in a treacherous world of betrayal.