Sidewall, an amazing future?

[Nick]

Sidewall by David Graham, I picked up this paperback in a charity shop and it is easily the best Whiff story I've ever read. Written in 1982, set in 2002, it shows a world where the Cold War continues, international terrorism rages and the world's militaries are developing new vessels and aircraft. The civilian side is just as good!

Quick synopsis:
Don Savage is Chief of Security at the British Hoverliner Corporation who are developing the Albatross, a new super hovermarine, a hovercraft with fixed sidewalls. This machine is capable of carrying 2000 passengers across the Atlantic at 300 knots in 8 hours thanks to a nuclear driveplant...
The oil crisis has hit hard, fuel is so expensive Parliament has to approve overseas military flights, the airlines have all struggled and many have fallen. The survivors have merged into trans-national brands and this new Albatross could mean the end to their reign. They want it stopped! 
It could mean the end to the new Boeing 797 stretched jumbo with its steam propellor-turbines, Germany is working on hydrogen motors and Japan is into vegetable fuelled diesel-electrics. The cost of gas has grounded Concorde along with the B-1 conversion...
And then there's the Soviets. They've stolen the plans to develop a military copy of the Albatross, intending to launch first and claim the rights. The Soviet machine carries a squadron of Bruins (Russian Harriers), 400 Marines, rocket torpedoes and SuperSam missiles.

What could possibly go wrong....? 

[luft46models]

great book that has been on my shelf for many years and multiple readings. well worth a look

william in oz

[Alvis 3.14159]

Wow, he only wrote 5 books in total. A shame, I enjoyed Sidewall and "Down to a SUnless Sea". Ok, the last one was a tad depressing. But it was the only book I've ever heard have a  radio advertisement.


Alvis Pi

[PR19_Kit]

Oh yes, I've read Graham's 'Down to a Sunless Sea' more than once. Just the job if you were feeling too happy and needed bringing down a  bit.......