★★★★★
Tyler M - USA
The ordering process, shipping, and packaging were top notch! The book is AMAZING! It really took be back to the days at the 493 - the best assignment of my military career! Thanks a million!
★★★★★
Gerrit W - NL
I bought Mission Ready last Saturday. What a wonderful book. Tastefully designed, the photos are fantastic... The book exudes atmosphere. Nice addition to the collection.
★★★★★
Andries N - NL
A beautiful book, enjoyed all the pictures. It shows what it takes to be mission ready every day! Thanx Patrick
★★★★★
Stephen D - UK
Very well presented book on an iconic Fighter taken out of service in the UK. The imagery is not only the aircraft but the USAFE environment these train/fight in. High quality paper with little text gives you a sense of being there with the photographer observing the detail in action. Would highly recommend this book for portraying an era now consigned to the history books, only this history book is very unique!
★★★★★
Bryth H - UK
I bought it for my son as he follows the 493rd Fighter Squadron very closely and his joy when he opened it was like the best surprise ever. Very good quality and excellent postage timing.
★★★★★
Jay S - USA
Just got your book. Awesome! Truly loved seeing some friends and acquaintances from my time in the Mighty Eagle. Outstanding!
★★★★★
Geoff C - USA
I got the book and hot damn, it's amazing! You really knocked it out of the park. The book it self, the printing, embossed cover the sleeve is all well thought out and just beautiful. The photographs you created are not only beautiful, but the story you take the reader though gives an insight most people never see. It's so easy to just show the exciting side of flying fighters, but you really showed the prep and the team it takes to make these machines fly. I also love that you included the flight mechanics, those guys really own the planes and know them inside and out! Overall it's an impressive book and I can see the passion and hard work you put into it. In a day and age where we consume so much media on screens, it was really nice to go though a book and have a hands on experience. Congrats, you should be proud of this work.
★★★★☆
Alain R - NL
Prachtig fotoboek voor wie geïnteresseerd is in de wereld achter de jachtvlieger en de wereld van de F-15. Altijd al een zwak gehad voor deze jet en dit boek brengt mij weer terug naar de vele open dagen van de Luchtmacht waar ik de F-15 nog heb zien vliegen.
★★★★★
Nick K - UK
A great insight to the squadron and operation. The photos give a feeling of presence and the book is high quality. Highly recommend
★★★★★
Neil H - USA
Are you a fan of fighter jets? Then this is a must-have for your book collection. I came across this book on Instagram and it was an instant purchase for me. You can tell the amount of thought and work that went into capturing these images and their professional presentation within this book. I like how the images are all spaced out throughout the pages and that their text & description details are at the back of the book. This really lets you take in the incredible details of the F-15 in all its glory along with the men and women at the 493rd Fighter Squadron who keep this amazing aircraft in the skies. 10/10, highly recommended. Also, the timing & composition of that last shot with the F-15C framed within the gap above the trees is perfect. Thanks for sharing your work with us Patrick!
★★★★★
Darryl P - USA
What a beautiful piece of art. This book dramatically captures the scenes of life and operations in an F-15C squadron and brings back many wonderful memories of my time flying as a Reaper in the 493rd in the late 90s.
★★★★★
Juan A - USA
This is an excellent book with many photos that help depict what its like to be in the Grim Reaper's fighter squadron. I was pleasantly surprised to find some interesting views of the F-15C. A must have if you are an aviation enthusiast - highly recommended!
★★★★★
Maarten V - NL
A unique book not only because of the beautiful, artistic photography & lay-out, but also because of the realistic behind-the-scenes images; the daily life on a fighter squadron, an aspect often ignored in the more glossy, glamorous books on military aviation.
★★★★★
HJ C - NL
I bought the book as a gift for my brothers birthday. He just loved it, is very happy with your book. He has a lifelong interest in fighter jets. The book arrived within 5 days, well packed. Excellent service!
★★★☆☆
Frank van der L - NL
Unfortunately the sleeve did not survive the unpacking of the book. Quality of pictures very good, but I had hoped for more airborne shots.
★★★★☆
Steve M - UK
Great photo's documenting one of the greatest warplanes ever. Well worth buying.
★★★★★
Jan E - NL
A newspaper article showed a few pictures from this book and mede me buy a copy. And it did 't disappoint me! I specially like the fact that non-flying personnel gets a place in the book. A tribute to all the people that work to get the technology working in the first place. My favourite photo is the one with the mechanic sitting on the hangar floor with the paperwork for the two engines in plastic wrap. Great book, thanks for making it.
★★★★☆
Michel van P - NL
Intriguing look into a fighter squadron. Not everything is glorious in these pictures; real life. But the planes…
★★★★★
Peterjan M - NL
Elke pagina omslaan biedt keer op keer een verrassing en maakt het werk spannend. De stijl van de foto's is zeer consistent. Perfecte belichting laat de grafische eigenschappen, het ritme en de symmetrie prachtig uitkomen. Er valt geen overbodige keuze te maken voor de "Beste Foto". Alle platen springen eruit. Een waar genoegen.
★★★★★
Bart D - NL
Great photo's, great subject, great insights from a great piece of history. A nice piece to have if you are an Air Force buff.
★★★★☆
Tjeerd - NL
Ik heb het fotoboek in goede orde ontvangen. Was ietwat teleurgesteld in de kwaliteit van de print, wat iets anders is dan de kwaliteit van de fotografie. Wellicht was ik in de war nav het artikel in Volkskrant Magazine, alwaar de foto’s in een iets glanzende print waren afgedrukt. Op basis van dit artikel en op basis van emotie heeft mij doen besluiten dit boek aan te schaffen, waarvan ik overigens geen spijt heb.
★★★★★
Bob - NL
Fantastische uitgave; prachtig gemaakt, en een serieus "beeld" -avontuur. Complimenten!
★★★★★
Brian D - USA
Outstanding chronicle of the Grim Reapers in the final Eagle years! The emphasis on the Reaper team including MX, flight docs & AFE is a tremendously representative of how things actually were. You have captured the Spirit of the squadron and the soul of the Eagle in this book. It’s difficult to pic a favorite picture; each time I thought I found it, I’d turn the page and find another! The artistic value of the book- and not just the photos, but the sequence and layout- is justification alone for buying it. It was a long wait for this one…but well worth it! Exceptional job Red! Second to none!
★★★★★
Larry P - USA
I really don't know where to start... First off, I loved how the book was packaged with its own sleeve. And the feel and color of the paper used were good in conjunction with how the images were laid out. I love the concept of letting the images speak for themselves. The quotes from the various personnel were also a nice touch. Since the images were taken over a number of years, I'm sure there were others that were just as good that didn't get to make it into the book. I'm sure it was a task in itself to edit the initial take. Overall, I think you did a great job trying to encompass all the elements that make up the day-to-day life at the squadron. Really a nice job!
★★★★★
Gavin L - UK
A fantastic collection of images and soundbites that any military aviation enthusiast will enjoy. Patricks photography throughout the book is first class and a fitting tribute to the F15 and the team at the 493rd fighter squadron. Well done!
★★★★★
Keavy R - UK
I gave the Brig Gen his copy yesterday, and he absolutely loved it. Beautifully done! I have the PA copy out where it can be enjoyed by all. Thank you again, truly, for sending.
★★★★★
Mark L - UK
I was very excited to receive this book being a big Lakenheath fan. Instantly the design and layout of the images shone through, as I kind of expected. Plenty of behind the scenes shots on base that we don’t normally get to see. I particularly liked the shots of the pilots, taken and edited so well. All the shots have been taken by someone with an exceptional creative eye, but no surprise there given the creativity of the patch designs. All in all a great book to own and I would highly recommend it to any Lakenheath fan.
★★★★★
Robin P - The Netherlands
I love the book. The photos, the design. Really a piece of art. But the best thing is, it’s giving a look inside the squadron. Excellent stuff. Thanks!
★★★★★
Frank G - Germany
Bought this book for my two sons who are very pleased with it love aviation and love all the photographs, all very good.
★★★★★
Rudy C - USA
I got the book. What an amazing book. Thank you so much!
★★★★★
Reinier P - The Netherlands
Chronicle of a great love and a farewell The narrator of Mission Ready introduces us to his first love. I see his craftsmanship and recognise his perseverance. He has chosen his images carefully. With an eye for detail, he generously grants us a special glimpse into a world that remains closed to us, the ordinary citizen. You make contact, as it were, with the maintenance personnel and the pilots. You smell the jet fuel and feel the vibrations of the flying monsters. The dedication of the team of professionals on the ground is impressive. The special seems almost ordinary: another Day at the Office. But nothing is less If you look closely, you will see that nothing is taken for granted here. It resulted in this balanced, impressive and beautiful history: Mission Accomplished. Well done Patrick! I am already curious where else you are going to take us...
★★★★★
Kellan M - USA
Dude great job on the book… it arrived a few weeks back. Thanks for your epic documentation of our squadron.
★★★★★
Todd P - USA
I received your book Red... wow! You've really got something to be proud of. The photos, the words, the use of white space... really, really well done. You've succeeded at capturing the "feel" of a fighter squadron and the people that make it work. It is evident that your book is a labor of love, and a personal journey. So glad that you made the extraordinary effort to share it with the world!
★★★★★
Nadir M - Singapore
The book is superb. The consistency of the atmosphere, the variety of the shots, the progression. Love it. But what is even more impressive is that the way the subject is addressed is uniquely you. The markings on the floor, the geometry, the attention to certain details, the touches of humour,… Congratulations!
★★★★★
Charlie C - UK
A stunning and diverse collection of photographs of what is required to generate a modern Fighter Squadron sortie, both at home and when deployed. From the engine shop to the briefing room, Fire Dept to the popcorn maker, all aspects are covered here in glorious photographs and it’s not just the jets although these photos capture the F-15C/D magnificently, it’s the people who make it all happen that get a well deserved spotlight shone on them to. This book is a must have for any serious fan of the Mighty F-15, USAFE and of course RAF Lakenheath. Hopefully this is just the first of many aviation publications from Patrick. Outstanding 10/10!
★★★★★
Adam G - USA
Your book!!!! Wow. Really, wow. Way to capture the heart and soul of the Eagle and the men and women that make it happen. You have a gift and I am glad we get to revel in it with you. Very impressive. Thank you for allowing others a window into your skills and the Eagle Community.
★★★★★
David E - USA
Not only is MISSION READY a beautiful photo book, it is also an exceptional work of history. Too often, we only focus on preserving machines or written accounts. It is the details that we always neglect. What was it really like to be there? What was on the walls? What did they wear? What did the inside of the hangar look like? This fine book brings you into the 493rd FS and answers those questions and so many more. I know of no other book with anything close to this level of detail of what it is like to be a member of a USAF fighter squadron today.
★★★★★
Irving H - USA
Truly awesome work that brought back many powerful memories of my time as Reaper 1. Thanks for the unwavering effort you made to tell this story.Thanks again for your dedication to our story! I will treasure this always!
★★★★★
Filippos S - Greece
Really good really amazing !!! Quality and professionalism throughout this wonderful book!! Congrats Patrick!!!
★★★★★
Michele S - Italy
Book with great attention to detail and excellent choice of photos.
★★★★★
Zachary G - USA
Amazing photos and stories! The behind the scenes of the day to day life in a fighter squadron and what happens in the air are top notch! I've sent the link to buy this book to everyone I know!
★★★★★
Timothy O - USA
Love the Book and the history. Amazing shots with a lot of insight into our world. Great to have pictures to go with the memories of this legendary squadron. The quality is perfect. 493rd AMU Member 2015 thru 2022.
★★★★★
David C - UK
Superb service beautifully rapped my wife got it for my birthday the photography is excellent so many interesting photos I love aviation it certainly ticks all the boxes. Many thanks Patrick
★★★★★
Randy T - USA
Great book, nice pics! Brought back loads of memories. I was there at the beginning with F-15A/Cs in Bitburg, so glad to see someone captured the final days of the mighty F-15C in USAFE!
★★★★★
Wilco S - The Netherlands
Really enjoy all the foto's great book.
★★★★★
Mark P - Australia
Upon cutting away the protective plastic wrapping, to pulling the book out of its sleeve, every page is a sensory delight as each image begins to tell the story of what Pat has envisaged all along before he took the first photograph. I suspect books that are yet to be printed will follow what Pat has created here. Do yourself a favour and get yourself a copy, for history’s sake.
★★★☆☆
Kory C - USA
So far my book has NOT arrived in the US. I’m excited to see it.
★★★★★
Paul W - UK
Excellent book outstanding photos.
★★★★★
James L - UK
Just wanted to drop you an email about your book. I finally found time to take a proper look at it. What can I say, it’s beautiful. Beautifully designed with some stunning photos. Really nicely composed, I loved the simple stuff you captured. I found the fold out of the three ground crew guys especially striking. You have captured something very special and this book will be highly sort after in years to come I’m sure.
★★★★★
George D - USA
I just received my copy of “Mission Ready,” and it is an absolutely beautiful work of art! I’m privileged to be a former Reaper (2006 – 2007), and while the individual faces are different from my time there, the book brought back some amazing memories of one of the best times of my career. It does a great job of capturing the highs and lows of life in the greatest fighter squadron in the world.
The 493d is a special family. The bonds I built there, the pride of being in that squadron, and the undying love I have for the Eagle have informed my life and career ever since. This book, coming as it does following the departure of the last Eagles from Europe, is a fitting tribute to the men, women, and aircraft that made the Reapers great.
Thank you for all of the hard work!
★★★★★
David S - UK
Wow! Finally put my feet up in my slippers and took half an hour to go through Mission Ready that arrived this morning. Emotional to look through it and realise she had gone from Europe. Love it. Thanks for taking the time and effort to put this work of historical art together.
★★★★★
Sly M - The Netherlands
Prachtboek zeg, van begin tot einde. Heerlijke lay out ook. Tof om in de kast te hebben!
★★★★★
Peter L - Switzerland
Every so rarely a book appears in my library that really catches my eyes and draws me into the pages with pure escapism. And so it is with “Mission Ready”. Patrick van Dam has delivered a complete piece of art, not a list of numbers and color schemes. The photography transcends the usual “access all areas” genre and takes you into unstaged glimpses behind life on an F-15 squadron. Real people, with names serving their nation overseas portrayed against dark English skies. Multiple quotes keep the content safely positive about the USAFE, but there's no in your face jingoism. Subtle tones and unique perspectives meander from black and white to colored pictures. Not every picture hits the mark, but those then serve to pave the way for the next visual treat. The layout is uncluttered but never routine, there’s a generous sense of space without urgency, but no hint of repetitively. The photography is as far away from enthusiast fodder as one could wish for.
With so many books trying to emulate others with the same basic content, Mission Ready carves its own niche and pushes photography and design to the fore.
Thoroughly recommended for purveyors of unique and original work.
★★★★★
Cody J - USA
We all truly appreciate your dedication, professionalism, and raw talent in documenting something that is truly hard to document. Most of the the day to day things within the Reapers I may forget, but thanks to you the story of the Reapers will live for eternity!