Mitchell Gant

The book “Firefox” is one I bought after having seen the film after renting it from the local video store. I have found this is always the best option, watch the film then read the book. This way you gain all the little insights and details that the film can’t portray, which includes those annoying scenes that don't always make sense, because in the books it's covered by an internal monologue.

While the book is interesting, I remember it being a less than engaging book to read. Unfortunately, I don't remember exactly why this was.

The second book in the series, which starts more or less where the first book finishes, is a lot more engaging and I recall finding this one more compelling to read.

I have recently been looking to acquire both of these novels as ebooks, but without any luck so far.

Firefox: Mitchell Gant: Book 01

THE MACHINE: The Soviet Mig-31, codenamed Firefox. A thought-controlled, terrifyingly lethal warplane capable of ruling the Western skies.

THE MAN: His name is Gant, an obsessed renegade American pilot. His Control: Kenneth Aubrey of Great Britain. His plan: infiltrate the shadowy worldwide KGB network and make his way into the Soviet Union. His job: steal Firefox.

Format

Paperback

Date Acquired

29th February 1984

Retail Cost

£1.95

Number of Pages

294

Year Read

1984

Firefox Down: Mitchell Gant: Book 02

The novel begins mere moments after the climax of the first novel, with Gant discovering that his aircraft sustained damage in the dogfight and is losing fuel rapidly. After a brief engagement with two Soviet MiG-25s, Gant lands the Firefox on a frozen Finnish lake, whereupon the weight of the aircraft causes it to break through the ice and become submerged.

Upon fleeing the lake, Gant is captured by the KGB and taken back to the Soviet Union. The West must then mount a desperate attempt to recover the Firefox from the lake, repair it, and return it to flyable condition before Soviet forces can recapture or destroy it. At the same time, Gant attempts to escape the Soviet Union.

Format

Paperback

Date Acquired

13th September 1984

Retail Cost

£2.25

Number of Pages

370

Year Read

1984