Vulcan Boys: From the Cold War to the Falklands: True Tales of the Iconic Delta V Bomber (Jet Age): 6 (The Jet Age Series) - Softcover

Tony Blackman

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1911621262 ISBN 13: 9781911621263

Publisher: Grub Street, 2019

Synopsis

The Vulcan, the second of the three V bombers built to guard the UK during the Cold War has become an aviation icon like the Spitfire, its delta shape is instantly recognisable as is the howling noise it makes when the engines are opened for take-off. Vulcan Boys is the first Vulcan book recounted completely first hand by the operators themselves. It tells the story of the aircraft from its design conception through the Cold War when it played out its most important job as Britain's nuclear deterrent; before unbelievably, at the end of its service life, also playing a significant role, with its bombs and missiles, in liberating the Falkland Islands for which it gained much celebrity. The individual accounts detail how hours at a time were spent on readiness, waiting to be scrambled to defend their country in the event of a third world war. In addition how their aggressive skills were honed by carrying out Lone Ranger sorties flying to the States and westward around the world, and taking part in Giant Voice and Red Flag, competitive exercises against the United States Strategic Air Command. The attacks in the Falklands using Shrike missiles are described accurately and in great detail for the first time in paperback including the landing at Rio de Janeiro alongside a vivid account of Black Buck 2. Vulcan Boys is a fascinating and completely authentic read reminding us of the Cold War, how it was fought and the considerable effort required to prevent all-out nuclear war.

About this title

Review:

An excellent addition to any aviation library. The work reads well and provides valuable insights. --20th Century Aviation Magazine

Packed with fascinating and at times hilarious anecdotes --Airfix Model World

An extremely interesting read. Those who remember the spelendid RAF Vulcan displays at airshows will revel in this. Vulcan Boys comes highly recommended. --Aeroplane

About the Author:

Tony Blackman OBE, MA FRAes obtained an honours degree in Physics at Trinity College Cambridge. He learnt to fly in the RAF, trained as a test pilot, and then joined A V Roe to become chief test pilot. As an expert in aviation electronics he was subsequently invited by Smiths Industries to join their Aerospace Board, initially as technical operations director. On leaving Smiths he joined the board of the UK Civil Aviation Authority. He is a fellow of the American Society of Experimental Test Pilots, a fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation and a liveryman of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots.

About this edition

• Publisher: Grub Street
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1911621262
• ISBN 13: 9781911621263
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224