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Vulcan Boys
From the Cold War to the Falklands: True Tales of the Iconic Delta V-Bomber
Author: Tony Blackman
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 Britains 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.
Author: Anthony L Blackman OBE, M.A., F.R.Ae.S was educated at Oundle School and Trinity College Cambridge, where he obtained an honours degree in Physics. After joining the Royal Air Force as a Maths and Physics Instructor, he learnt to fly, flew Vampires and Venoms in Germany, trained as a test pilot and then joined A.V.Roe and Co. Ltd. where he became Chief Test Pilot. During his time at Avros/Hawker Siddeley/British Aerospace, he helped develop the Vulcan, Nimrod, Victor Mk 2 tanker and the Avro 748/RAF Andover.
Tony was the pilot who delivered XH558 to RAF Waddington on 1 July 1960, when Vulcan XH558 became first Vulcan B.Mk2 to commence RAF service.
Tony was an expert in aviation electronics and was invited by Smiths Industries to join their Aerospace Board, initially as Technical Operations Director. He helped develop the then new large electronic displays and Flight Management Systems.
After leaving Smiths Industries, he was invited to join the Board of the UK Civil Aviation Authority as Technical Member.
Tony is an Officer of the Order of the British Empire and is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Fellow of the American Society of Experimental Test Pilots, a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation and a Liveryman of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators.
He now lives in London and spends his spare time writing books.
An extremely interesting read. Those who remember the splendid RAF Vulcan displays at airshows will revel in this. Vulcan Boys comes highly recommended. – Aeroplane
Packed with fascinating, and at times hilarious anecdotes. – Airfix Model World
‘Vulcan Boys would be an excellent addition to any aviation library. The works reads well and provides valuable insights. Highly recommended.’ -20th Century Aviation Magazine
