Nimrod Boys: True Tales from the Operators of the RAF's Cold War Trailblazer

Description

Nimrod Boys is a collection of eighteen first-hand accounts of operating the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod an aircraft which served at the forefront of the Cold War. As the first jet-powered maritime aircraft, it 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 anti-submarine warfare. The book focuses on the Nimrod's UK-based and worldwide operations. With detailed accounts of its role during the Falklands campaign and in later conflicts such as the First Gulf War to modern-day anti-drug smuggling operations in the Caribbean. There are also descriptions of the Nimrod's achievements in the International Fincastle Competition where RAF 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 cancelled Nimrod MR4 project. Nimrod Boys written by Tony Blackman (a former Hawker Siddeley test pilot) with Joe Kennedy (an ex-RAF AEO) and with a foreword by AVM Andrew Roberts is more than worthy addition to the Jet Age series.This is a collection of eighteen first-hand accounts of operating the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod an aircraft which served at the forefront of the Cold War. 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. AUTHORS: 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. Joe Kennedy served as a police constable in the London Metropolitan Police Force before joining the RAF as an AEOp in September 1979. His time on the Nimrod was at RAF Kinloss flying with 201 and 206 Squadrons. He retired from the RAF in September 2011 and has been working in law enforcement since.

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. Joe Kennedy served as a police constable in the London Metropolitan Police Force before joining the RAF as an AEOp in September 1979. His time on the Nimrod was at RAF Kinloss flying with 201 and 206 Squadrons. He retired from the RAF in September 2011 and has been working in law enforcement since.

"...a fascinating and enjoyable read."-- "Flypast" "...very nice read. Printed on high-quality paper, it presents numerous photographs and illustrations to good effect. Many of the photos come from the contributors' personal collections making them both relevant and unique."-- "Air Power History" "This excellent book also contains a chapter written by Sgt Shelley Faulkner about her time with the Nimrod-equipped 120 Squadron."-- "Britain at War Magazine"