Valiant Units of the Cold War

(Paperback)

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Description

The RAF's first Cold War strategic bomber, the Vickers Valiant, was procured as an insurance measure in case either the Vulcan or Victor was found to have a serious flaw. The Valiant was the equivalent of the US B-47 Stratojet, and it blazed the trail for the British airborne nuclear deterrent as the aircraft enjoyed a far more active service career than later V-bombers. It was the launch platform for all British free fall nuclear weapons tests both in the Pacific and in central Australia, it took part in the Suez campaign in 1956 and it was the only V-bomber to drop (conventional) weapons in anger until the Falklands operation in 1982. The Valiant was modified to serve in the electronic warfare, strategic reconnaissance and airborne tanker role, but it had to be grounded in early 1965 when the aircraft succumbed to metal fatigue.

Reviews

"Andrew Brookes's excellent book covers [the] achievements [of the Valian Units] and much more." --Aviation History (March 2014)

"Author Andrew Brookes takes a look at the design and development of the Valiant including the build up of various units and the equipment that was used by the aircraft. We also get a good look at its time when it was used to test nuclear bombs in the South Pacific. The changes in mission are also closely followed so we can see how Valiant operations were carried out. Of course there are a goodly number of pilot and crew stories to go along with all of these events. This is very much a part of what makes this such an enticing series. Also included are quite a few full color profiles of Valiants in every camouflage scheme and with every unit that flew the aircraft. The book concludes with a brief synopsis of all the units that flew the aircraft. In all, I found the book to be a superb read about an aircraft that is often overlooked. Most highly recommended." --Scott Van Aken, Modeling Madness (October 2012)

"...enthusiasts of strategic bombing history will find [this book] fascinating." --David L. Veres, www.cybermodeler.com

Author Bio

Andrew Brookes completed RAF pilot training after reading history at Leeds University. He served as a UK nuclear release officer in NATO and was the last operational RAF Commander at the Greenham Common cruise missile base. He was coordinator of air power studies at the RAF Advanced Staff College. He is now Aerospace Analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. He has written 12 aviation books and he received the Defence Aerospace Journalist of the Year Award in 2004 and 2006. Chris Davey has illustrated more than 25 titles for Ospreys Aircraft of the Aces, Combat Aircraft and Elite Units series since 1994. Based in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, and one of the last traditional airbrush artists in the business, he has become the artist of choice for both USAAF fighters and RAF subject matter, proving his undoubted skill when dealing with large aircraft subjects such as the Halifax and Sunderland.