The English Electric Canberra first came into production in the late 1940s. Since then it has played a significant part in world events including the Suez Campaign and the nuclear tests of Operation Grapple. In Canberra Boys, Andrew Brookes takes us through its rich history with the help of those who operated this magnificent machine. It includes contributors from its test pilot through to those from various air forces; including the Indian air force who were the third largest operator of the Canberra after the RAF and USAF. 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 the Canberra has developed throughout the 20th century and has served across the world in Europe, South America and South East Asia as a photo—reconnaissance aircraft. Tales in the book include participation in the Sassoon Trophy competition and Exercise Round Trip. 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. Vulcan To The Sky are restoring Canberra WK163 to flight in 2017/18.
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. His seventeenth aviation book, The RAF V—Force: 1955—1969, was published in October 2015. 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.
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