| V Force Boys: All New Reminiscences by Air and Ground Crews Operating the Vulcan, Victor and Valiant in the Cold War and Beyond Contributor(s): Blackman, Tony (Author), Wright, Anthony (Author) |
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ISBN: 1910690384 ISBN-13: 9781910690383 Publisher: Grub Street Publishing OUR PRICE: $35.96 Product Type: Hardcover Published: September 2017 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - History | Military - Aviation - History | Europe - Great Britain - 20th Century - Biography & Autobiography | Aviation & Nautical |
| Physical Information: 1" H x 6.5" W x 9.2" (1.70 lbs) 208 pages |
| Themes: - Cultural Region - British Isles |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: The V Force consisted of three four-jet bombers, the Valiant, the Vulcan and the Victor, all required as part of the nuclear deterrent in the Cold War following the end of the Second World War. The Valiant was less aerodynamically advanced than the other two and went into service in 1955. The Vulcan entered service in 1956 and the Victor a year later. The Valiant finished operating in 1965 and the Vulcan in 1984. The later Victors were converted into refueling tankers and carried on until 1993. V Force Boys contains a fascinating collection of previously unpublished stories by V Force ground and aircrew for all three V bombers. Among other highlights, the book includes a firsthand account of dropping the last UK H Bomb, a description of how all the aircraft navigated before the days of GPS, the training the crews received and an armorer's account of how the nuclear weapons were moved with complete safety but not in the regimented way that might be expected. In addition there are chapters which tell of incidents that would not be found in the RAF historical annals but show how the vigilant guarding of the UK had its lighter moments. A must for all Vulcan, Victor and Valiant enthusiasts. |
Contributor Bio(s): Blackman, Tony: - Tony Blackman has spent his life in the aircraft industry as a test pilot, as an avionics specialist and then on the Board of UK Civil Aviation Authority as the Technical Member.Wright, Anthony: - Squadron Leader Anthony Wright BA joined the RAF in 1960. After navigator training he entered the V Force as a navigator radar flying Valiants and then Vulcans. After a tour in Singapore and completion of the Staff Navigation Course he was posted to Cranwell as station navigation officer and instructor. He returned to the Vulcan force as an instructor, followed by wing weapons and then radar leader on 50 Squadron. After an appointment at the MoD he became OC of a nuclear training squadron at RAF Armament Support Unit. On retirement he served at HQ Air Cadets until 2003. He now lives with his wife Rosemary in Rutland. |