Canberra Boys: Fascinating Accounts from the Operators of an English Electric Classic

by Andrew Brookes, Stuart Peach (Foreword by)

Overview

A history of the British bomber aircraft and stories from the crew who served with it.

The English Electric Canberra first came into production in the late 1940s and has since played a hugely significant part in world events. In Canberra Boys, Andrew Brookes takes us through its rich history with the help of those who operated this magnificent machine. Contributors include Roly “Bee” Beamont, the English Electric test pilot who first flew the aircraft in 1949.

As part of the expansion of the RAF’s Bomber Command in the 1950s, RAF Binbrook was the first station to house four Canberra squadrons, starting with 101 Squadron in May 1951. Since then and throughout the 20th century, the Canberra operated across the globe in Europe, South America, and South East Asia. It has served an array of air forces such as the USAF, Australian air force, and the Indian air force—the third largest operator of the Canberra after the RAF and USAF.

This led to the Canberra playing a crucial role as a photo-reconnaissance aircraft in phenomenal operations like the Suez Campaign, the nuclear tests of Operation Grapple and the Indonesian Confrontation. Other tales in the book include participation in the Sassoon Trophy competition, long-distance flights in Exercise Round Trip, and Operation Quick Flight.

Concluding with the Canberra PR9’s final RAF flight on 39 Squadron in July, 2006, this book provides a detailed and fascinating history of an outstanding aircraft alongside illuminating anecdotes from the men who served with this aircraft.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781911621515
Publisher:	Grub Street
Publication date:	02/12/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
File size:	14 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Andrew Brookes completed RAF pilot training after graduating from Leeds University. Following recce and strike tours on Victors, Canberras and Vulcans during which he logged 3,500 flying hours, he joined the tri-service policy and plans staff of Commander British Forces, Hong Kong. After being in charge of the multi-engine, helicopter and flying training desks in the RAF Inspectorate of Flight Safety, he was appointed as the last operational RAF commander at the Greenham Common cruise missile base. He studied International Relations at Downing College, Cambridge, before becoming a group director at the RAF Advanced Staff College. From 1999-2009 he was aerospace specialist at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Now the chief executive of the Air League, he publishes and broadcasts widely. He received the Defence Aerospace Journalist of the Year Award in 2004 and 2006. In 2009 he was awarded the C P Robertson Memorial Trophy for the best interpretation of the Royal Air Force to the public. He is chairman of the Independent Defence Media Association, a Liveryman of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a Fellow of the Royal United Services Institute. He still has a private pilot’s licence.

Table of Contents

Foreword 6

1 In the Beginning 7

2 Early Days 14

3 The Light Bomber Force 18

4 Gearing Up 23

5 Canberra Developments 31

6 Long-Distance Flights 38

7 Into Germany 47

8 Photographic Memories 55

9 The Suez Campaign 65

10 Nuclear Trials 77

11 In German Skies 90

12 A Trip to Belize 94

13 First Tour Recce-No Chance My Boy! 99

14 Sunny Cyprus 107

15 Akrotiri Strike Wing 116

16 Raf Germany Goes Nuclear 123

17 Feaf Offensive Support Wing 133

18 Confrontation 139

19 Feaf PR 147

20 From Laarbruch to Kuantan 155

21 Aussie Canberras 160

22 USAF B-57S 167

23 Life in the Old Dog 173

24 Indo-Pakistan Canberras 180

25 'Argy-Bargy' 185

26 Canberra Tales 190

27 The Ultimate PR9 196

Afterword: Tsar Bomba 203

Acronyms 205

Bibliography 206

Index 207

Editorial Reviews

"Canberra Boys is a thoroughly good read, and a most insightful one. You'll learn more about the Canberra from this than from any number of average type histories, and the words-to-purchase price ration makes it excellent value."

Aeroplane Monthly