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Jet Provost Boys

Author : David Watkins

Publisher : Grub Street Publishing

Page : 193 pages

File Size : 43,49 MB

Release : 2023-09-14

Category : Biography & Autobiography

ISBN : 1911714538

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Book Description

As a versatile and undemanding aircraft, the Jet Provost established itself as the basic trainer for the RAF from the late 1950s until its retirement in September 1993. In Jet Provost Boys, David Watkins explores the history of this magnificent flying machine through the vivid memories of former air crew from the RAF and foreign air forces. Alongside operating as a basic training aircraft, the Jet Provost had relative success within the civilian and military display flying circuit of the 1960s and 1970s. It was also part of the prestige Golden Eagle Flight at RAF Cranwell which taught the then-Prince of Wales how to fly. When the Jet Provost Mk. 5 model became the BAC 167 Strikemaster after some modifications, it became a counter-insurgency and light-attack aircraft. This capability allowed the aircraft to be sold to air forces around the world including Ceylon, Nigeria, New Zealand, Sudan and Venezuela where it played a reliable and effective role in multiple border disputes and internal warfare. It was crucial to the Sultan of Oman Air Force during the Dhofar War as the intervention of Strikemasters assisted in a significant turning point in the conflict. This book includes a foreword by Squadron Leader Terry Lloyd who was the leader of the 1964–1965 Pelicans display team as well as being illustrated throughout with black and white and color photos. This latest addition to the Boys series is not to be missed and will appeal to all aviation fans.



Jet Provost Boys

Author : David Watkins

Publisher : Grub Street Publishing

Page : 0 pages

File Size : 25,1 MB

Release : 2023-07-03

Category :

ISBN : 9781911667445

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Book Description

As a versatile and undemanding aircraft, the Jet Provost established itself as the basic trainer for the RAF from the late 1950s until its retirement in September 1993. In Jet Provost Boys, David Watkins explores the history of this magnificent flying machine through the vivid memories of former air crew from the RAF and foreign air forces. Alongside operating as a basic training aircraft, the Jet Provost had relative success within the civilian and military display flying circuit of the 1960s and 1970s. It was also part of the prestige Golden Eagle Flight at RAF Cranwell which taught the then-Prince of Wales how to fly. When the Jet Provost Mk. 5 model became the BAC 167 Strikemaster after some modifications, it became a counter-insurgency and light-attack aircraft. This capability allowed the aircraft to be sold to air forces around the world including Ceylon, Nigeria, New Zealand, Sudan and Venezuela where it played a reliable and effective role in multiple border disputes and internal warfare. It was crucial to the Sultan of Oman Air Force during the Dhofar War as the intervention of Strikemasters assisted in a significant turning point in the conflict. This book includes a foreword by Squadron Leader Terry Lloyd who was the leader of the 1964-1965 Pelicans display team as well as being illustrated throughout with black and white and color photos. This latest addition to the Boys series is not to be missed and will appeal to all aviation fans.



Groundcrew Boys

Author : David Gledhill

Publisher : Grub Street Publishing

Page : 245 pages

File Size : 46,36 MB

Release : 2021-10-27

Category : History

ISBN : 1911667629

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Book Description

This collection of stories from Royal Air Force groundcrew reveals the critical operations and thrilling drama of Cold War hangars and airfields. Groundcrew Boys shares true stories of life on the flight line, written by those who served. Twenty engineers recall stories from combat zones around the world, working with aircraft as diverse as the Phantom, the Shackleton and the Sea Harrier. From humorous and ribald tales to thought provoking remembrances, these stories leave no doubt about the dedication and professionalism of those who served. Aviation author David Gledhill presents helpful historical context for each story, while numerous photographs, many from the groundcrew themselves, help bring their experiences to life.



Hunter Boys

Author : Richard Pike

Publisher : Grub Street Publishing

Page : 209 pages

File Size : 40,96 MB

Release : 2014-06-19

Category : History

ISBN : 1909808032

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Book Description

From the highly successful author of Lightning Boys and Lightning Boys 2, Richard Pike, comes a welcome addition to the ïBoysÍ series, Hunter Boys. A fascinating insight into the experiences and affections of those who flew the iconic Hawker Hunter. Fifteen aircrew relate their individual recollections of the highs and lows, the dramas and demands of this incredible aircraft, which came into service in July 1951 and changed the future of fighter development. Including a chapter by Neville Duke, Hawker AircraftÍs chief test pilot, other tales recount the Aden emergency, the 1971 Indo/Pakistan war and a race against the odds in Gibraltar. All instances demonstrate the exceptional performance of this aircraft and illustrate its well-renowned lengthy service life with the RAF and internationally. In addition to the original photographs that accompany the text, renowned aviation artist Chris Stone has provided paintings especially for the book. The scope, style and pace of the writing in this book will appeal to the general reader as well as to the enthusiast.



Javelin Boys

Author : Steve Bond

Publisher : Casemate Publishers

Page : 335 pages

File Size : 43,41 MB

Release : 2017-10-30

Category : History

ISBN : 1911621580

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Book Description

This Royal Air Force history examines a revolutionary Cold War era aircraft with firsthand accounts from veterans who flew them all over the world. The Gloster Javelin, an all-weather interceptor aircraft, was the UK’s first line of air defense in the 1950s and 1960s, both at home and in Royal Air Force Germany. With an unorthodox aerodynamic design, the Javelin had major production issues early on—including a tendency for engines to self-destruct under certain conditions. But the revolutionary aircraft still receives much affection from its former crew. Some of their most thrilling, fascinating and colorful stories are collected here in terrific detail. Starting from the first deliveries of Javelins in 1956 until the final withdrawal from RAF squadron use in 1968, Javelin Boys describes adventures all over the world—from Cyprus to Singapore during the Indonesian Confrontation and Zambia during the Rhodesian declaration of UDI. Alongside their anecdotes is a detailed history of this unusual aircraft, accompanied by photography never seen before in print.



Nimrod Boys

Author : Tony Blackman

Publisher : Casemate Publishers

Page : 454 pages

File Size : 16,53 MB

Release : 2019-08-19

Category : History

ISBN : 1911621793

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Book Description

The test pilot and author of Nimrod Rise and Fall shares a collection of over twenty tales from the cockpit of Nimrod aircraft during the Cold War. As the first jet-powered maritime aircraft, the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod could reach critical points for rescues or for operational requirements in rapid time. Its outstanding navigation and electronics systems also allowed the Nimrod to be a first-class machine in antisubmarine warfare. In Nimrod Boys, author and pilot Tony Blackman offers vivid, firsthand accounts of the Nimrod’s UK-based and worldwide operations. The stories in this volume range from the Nimrod’s role during the Falklands Campaign and the First Gulf War to more recent anti-drug smuggling operations in the Caribbean. There are also descriptions of the Nimrod’s achievements in the International Fincastle Competition—where Royal Air Force squadrons competed against counterparts from Australia, Canada and New Zealand. With a variety of perspectives on Nimrod crew life, including from a female air electronic operator, readers will find dramatic, engaging and occasionally humorous stories. One flight test observer also reflects on the canceled Nimrod MR4 project.



Phantom Boys

Author : Richard Pike

Publisher : Grub Street Publishing

Page : 201 pages

File Size : 25,75 MB

Release : 2015-07-19

Category : History

ISBN : 1909808229

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Book Description

From Richard Pike, best-selling author of Hunter Boys and The Lightning Boys volumes, comes the newest addition to Grub StreetÕs popular Boys series; Phantom Boys. Originally developed for the US Navy, this twin-engined supersonic long-range fighter-bomber first flew in the spring of 1958. It then entered service for the US Navy in 1961, and in 1969 with the Fleet Air Arm and RAF in the UK. Regarded as one of the most versatile fighters ever built, the Phantom F-4 was the US NavyÕs fastest and highest-flying aircraft. It was flown by both US military demonstration teams (Navy Blue Angels and the Air Force Thundercats) from 1969 to 1973. It ended its service in 1991 with the RAF. But it continued to serve a variety of air forces across the world, with some still in service fifty years after its first flight. Throughout the twenty chapters of this book, thirteen contributors will take readers across the world with adventures in the Falkland Islands, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, the Far East and Germany. There are anecdotes of reconnaissance missions, encounters with the Russian Tupolevs, record-breaking flights and life on HMS Ark Royal. The scope, flair and pace of the writing in this book will appeal to the general reader as well as to the enthusiast.



The Lightning Boys

Author : Richard Pike

Publisher : Grub Street Publishers

Page : 311 pages

File Size : 27,83 MB

Release : 2011-09-20

Category : Biography & Autobiography

ISBN : 1909166367

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Book Description

“A good read both to aviators in general and to the Lightning fraternity in particular” (Royal Air Force Historical Society). According to a recent international study, the Lightning is the fifth most popular military aircraft of all time. With over twenty individual stories from former Lightning pilots, this book relates the highs and lows, the dramas and the demands of those who operated this iconic aircraft until its sharp end. Tales include the recollections of an aerobatic display pilot, an implausible yet true account of telepathic communication, and an extraordinary episode in which a Lightning pilot on an exchange program with the French Air Force became embroiled in a mid-air collision. An unverified, but likely genuine, world record is also revealed in one of the chapters. In addition to the original photographs that accompany the text, the renowned aviation artist Chris Stone, a former Lightning pilot himself, has provided a unique sketch as well as copies of some of his paintings, offering a look at this amazing aircraft that will appeal to the general reader as well as the enthusiast.



V Force Boys

Author : Tony Blackman

Publisher : Grub Street

Page : 365 pages

File Size : 16,63 MB

Release : 2017-09-11

Category : History

ISBN : 1911621521

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Book 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.



Buccaneer Boys 2

Author : Graham Pitchfork

Publisher : Grub Street Publishing

Page : 241 pages

File Size : 42,30 MB

Release : 2021-09-30

Category : History

ISBN : 1911667645

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Book Description

Following the critically acclaimed publication eight years ago of Buccaneer Boys, long-serving Buccaneer navigator Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork has now followed up the great success of the book with more true tales from those who flew the last all-British bomber. Thirty Buccaneer ‘Boys’, drawn from the Fleet Air Arm, the Royal Air Force and the South African Air Force, outline their experiences in the maritime role, operations overland, including the first Gulf War, and operations by the South Africans in the Border Wars. In addition to the aircrew, air engineer officers and ground crew have also contributed. The reader is left in no doubt that the ‘Buccaneer Boys’ knew how to work hard and to play hard. The skill, professionalism and excitement of operating and servicing this iconic British aircraft shines throughout every page. This book is lavishly illustrated with 100 black and white photographs and two-color plate sections of 40 photographs, many never previously published.