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Sabotage in the Sky
Pilot Terry Lee has taught Bill Trevillian everything he knows about flying, enough that Bill's know considered the ace of American test pilots just as war breaks out in World War II Europe. Unknown to Bill, Terry's also taught his own kid sister, Kip, who's now almost as good a pilot as Bill and quite the looker to boot. When France and Great Britain must choose between different American plane designs to outlfy the newest and deadliest Nazi fighters, the competing companies send their two best test pilots . . . Kip and Bill. Unfortunately, a spy also has been sent to infiltrate and sabotage the planes to make sure that neither the French nor British will consider them safe enough to fly. Soon Kip and Bill suspect the other of sabotage? a problem that not only threatens their already electric relationship but their very lives.
- GenresFiction
136 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1940
3 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
L. Ron Hubbard
1,916 books587 followersLafayette Ronald Hubbard
With 19 New York Times bestsellers and more than 350 million copies of his works in circulation, L. Ron Hubbard is among the most enduring and widely read authors of our time. As a leading light of American Pulp Fiction through the 1930s and '40s, he is further among the most influential authors of the modern age. Indeed, from Ray Bradbury to Stephen King, there is scarcely a master of imaginative tales who has not paid tribute to L. Ron Hubbard.
Then too, of course, there is all L. Ron Hubbard represents as the Founder of Dianetics and Scientology and thus the only major religion born in the 20th century.
While, as such, he presents the culmination of science and spiritual technology as embodied in the religion of Scientology.
For an in-depth look at his life, visit
With 19 New York Times bestsellers and more than 350 million copies of his works in circulation, L. Ron Hubbard is among the most enduring and widely read authors of our time. As a leading light of American Pulp Fiction through the 1930s and '40s, he is further among the most influential authors of the modern age. Indeed, from Ray Bradbury to Stephen King, there is scarcely a master of imaginative tales who has not paid tribute to L. Ron Hubbard.
Then too, of course, there is all L. Ron Hubbard represents as the Founder of Dianetics and Scientology and thus the only major religion born in the 20th century.
While, as such, he presents the culmination of science and spiritual technology as embodied in the religion of Scientology.
For an in-depth look at his life, visit
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 28, 2018
Bill Trevillian is an American pilot with a flare for danger who has been tasked with testing and demonstrating the BCA 41, one of two new military planes developed by the US fast enough to leave everyone in the dust - including the Germans.
Determined to dominate the sky, they send in Erich von Straub, under the alias of Albert Straub, as a seemingly harmless mechanic with only one thing on his mind- sabotage.
As if Bill’s job wasn’t hard enough, he butts heads with fellow female pilot Kip Lee, a beautiful girl with a fiery personality in charge of flying the BCA 41’s rival plane, L97.
Filled with romance, aviation-based action, and authenticity, this story from the Golden Age of fiction was a unique experience. I have previously enjoyed several live radio-style theatrical plays based on works by L. Ron Hubbard, which made me curious to give his work a read.
While I appreciate the writer being authentic, the descriptions of plane parts and aviation procedures felt a bit overdone for my taste. Many terms and maneuvers weren’t of much interest to me (though you may feel otherwise), and I found myself skimming most of it. The glossary was helpful, though (If you are planning on reading this, take my advice and read the glossary first. It’ll save you a lot of unnecessary darting back and forth mid-story).
The story itself was enjoyable, easy to follow, and very fast-paced, holding your attention. The writing style was naturally more wordy than most modern styles, but it was still relatively readable.
Overall, I enjoyed the vintage feel of this story, and I may consider reading more tales by L. Ron Hubbard in the future.
Determined to dominate the sky, they send in Erich von Straub, under the alias of Albert Straub, as a seemingly harmless mechanic with only one thing on his mind- sabotage.
As if Bill’s job wasn’t hard enough, he butts heads with fellow female pilot Kip Lee, a beautiful girl with a fiery personality in charge of flying the BCA 41’s rival plane, L97.
Filled with romance, aviation-based action, and authenticity, this story from the Golden Age of fiction was a unique experience. I have previously enjoyed several live radio-style theatrical plays based on works by L. Ron Hubbard, which made me curious to give his work a read.
While I appreciate the writer being authentic, the descriptions of plane parts and aviation procedures felt a bit overdone for my taste. Many terms and maneuvers weren’t of much interest to me (though you may feel otherwise), and I found myself skimming most of it. The glossary was helpful, though (If you are planning on reading this, take my advice and read the glossary first. It’ll save you a lot of unnecessary darting back and forth mid-story).
The story itself was enjoyable, easy to follow, and very fast-paced, holding your attention. The writing style was naturally more wordy than most modern styles, but it was still relatively readable.
Overall, I enjoyed the vintage feel of this story, and I may consider reading more tales by L. Ron Hubbard in the future.
April 5, 2024
Old school pre World war II spy novel. The Nazis tried to stop the US from building a better airplane.
Entertaining and predictable
Entertaining and predictable
January 11, 2013
There was a whole genre of fiction between the World Wars known as air-adventures; there were long series of books for boys featuring Andy Lane and Rex Lee and Ted Scott and Billy Smith and Slim Tyler and many more, as well as books and magazines for older readers, all featuring adventures about airplanes. Hubbard's story here was written and is set near the end of that era, at the start of World War II, and is a nice example of the genre in pulp fashion. Bill has to thwart the evil Nazi saboteurs and spies, with a lot more help than usual in stories of this era from Kip, the beautiful and plucky heroine. "All dames are alike... They're daffy in the switchbox!" is Bill's opinion early in the story, but Kip eventually convinces him otherwise, and they (presumably) live happily ever after. This is a short and nice nostalgic read.
October 17, 2015
Great fun, reads well
This flying adventure is done up in thrills, spills and mystery. Definitely a page turner. I love the style. I was first introduced to LRH's writing when I read the comedy series "Invasion Earth". A must read series. Anyway, the Golden Age stories that I've read so far have been great. Done up like a Saturday matinee, each story entertains well.
This flying adventure is done up in thrills, spills and mystery. Definitely a page turner. I love the style. I was first introduced to LRH's writing when I read the comedy series "Invasion Earth". A must read series. Anyway, the Golden Age stories that I've read so far have been great. Done up like a Saturday matinee, each story entertains well.
December 2, 2015
This was my first L. Ron Hubbard book. I love the detail of all the different aspects of being a pilot from mechanics to flying. the ability to apply this to his characters and their development makes it likewise a very well written story. I want more!
February 14, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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