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Preview
  • Vulcan Boys

  • From the Cold War to the Falklands: True Tales of the Iconic Delta V Bomber
  • By: Tony Blackman
  • Narrated by: Roger Davis
  • Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (128 ratings)

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Vulcan Boys

By: Tony Blackman
Narrated by: Roger Davis
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Summary

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 instantly recognizable, as is the howling noise it makes when the engines are opened for takeoff. Vulcan Boys is the first Vulcan book recounted completely firsthand 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 Britain's 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 they detail 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, including the landing at Rio de Janeiro alongside a vivid account of Black Buck 2. Vulcan Boys is a fascinating and completely authentic listen, reminding us of the Cold War, how it was fought, and the considerable effort required to prevent all-out nuclear war.

©2014 Grub Street LTD (P)2015 Grub STreet LTD
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What listeners say about Vulcan Boys

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Vulcanites must read!

Excellent story. Some repetition from different people but this does not detract from the overall impression. I now know an AEO from a WO! The diversion to Rio was quite exciting, the hatch being opened at 43k feet, scary stuff. Very recommended for pilots, engineers and other egg heads.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant

Fantastic history of the vulcan, well worth the listen if you have the slightest love of aviation

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Fascinating stories about a true British icon

Great listen if you want to know about the Vulcan.

Having seen several Vulcan displays over the years and growing up as a RAF Brat it is really interesting to hear some of the stories of the aircraft in development and services as well as from the massive return to flight effort from Vulcan To The Sky.

The stories about the Black Buck sorties as part of Operation Corporate were particularly enthralling.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent listening

this book is a brilliant account of the vulcan from test flight the its disbandment.. well read out

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Superb

Well, what can I say all I can say is that this book has been put expertly together by the people that have contributed to it that are flown, the Queen of the skies as I called her a grand old lady of the sky. Shall I say long live, VULCAN, memories in all our life.

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Detail!

I thought I knew a bit about the Vulcan, turns out I'd barely scratched the surface. this book has stories and information from all aspects of the development, testing, service of the bomber. It includes details that on the surface appear to be less glamorous than nuclear bombing and Port Stanley etc, but it turns out these were some of the most enjoyable sections, full of detail about parts of the cold war, nato and close work with other airforces. I really enjoyed it, it's great to hear accounts from navigators, ground crew, testers etc. I love the vulcan even more now, what a machine!

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    4 out of 5 stars

Sonoian558

This really is an excellent account of Vulcan operations in its military and civil roles. A fitting tribute to the design team; and those men in the Royal Air Force who flew the aircraft, and maintained it. My late father was an engineer with the Vulcan and served at Scampton, Waddington, and Akrotiri with them. He also served with Valiants and Victors in both their bomber and tanker roles. Undoubtedly the Vulcan was always his favourite. This book is a truly good historical record for generations to come. Well done.

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Great to be British

Takes you back to an era when Britain designed and made cutting edge equipment and machines

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Avro's big delta

A full account of the operational life of Avro's last bomber. The story provides a great illustration of the "can do" spirit which persisted in the RAF during its operational life and let's hope it still does today.
I particularly enjoyed the accounts of the Black Buck operations and the early days of the test flying.
What I didn't enjoy or feel was necessary was the narrators efforts of putting on various accents. Apart from this small annoyance it was an interesting at times exciting and very informative listen.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Reader spoils the experience

Great to hear the story behind the Iconic V bombers but the readers style was very stacatto. Clear, precise, pronounced and easily understood yes, one assumes that his speaking style was a great asset in a military environment. Unfortunately in the setting of narrating an audio book it became quite irritating. Also adopting partial accents of various contrubutors was not necessary nor effective.

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