Vulcan Test Pilot: My Experiences in the Cockpit of a Cold War Icon
In 2007 a restored Avro Vulcan Mark 2 – XH558 – took to the skies to help commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Falklands conflict. To coincide with this the memoirs of one of its test pilots, Tony Blackman, was published to great acclaim. Now the first book about test flying this monumental delta-wing aircraft which dominated the history of the late 20th century is available in paperback.

Tony is the ideal man to write such a tale as he flew no less than 105 of the 136 built, logging 850 flights at over 1,327 hours. His book describes in layman’s terms what it was like to tame the first prototypes and to master the unusual characteristics necessitated by the Vulcan’s shape.

Although Tony puts the developments, demonstrations, incidents and accidents in their political and historical context, his story is a highly personal one. He explains how this awesome aircraft became a national treasure and captured the imagination of the whole country. His words, descriptions and hitherto largely unpublished photographs will make people feel as he did the excitement of handling such an incredibly powerful monster always in the knowledge that he had to be in complete charge all the time as the monster could and did bite back.
1112400967
Vulcan Test Pilot: My Experiences in the Cockpit of a Cold War Icon
In 2007 a restored Avro Vulcan Mark 2 – XH558 – took to the skies to help commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Falklands conflict. To coincide with this the memoirs of one of its test pilots, Tony Blackman, was published to great acclaim. Now the first book about test flying this monumental delta-wing aircraft which dominated the history of the late 20th century is available in paperback.

Tony is the ideal man to write such a tale as he flew no less than 105 of the 136 built, logging 850 flights at over 1,327 hours. His book describes in layman’s terms what it was like to tame the first prototypes and to master the unusual characteristics necessitated by the Vulcan’s shape.

Although Tony puts the developments, demonstrations, incidents and accidents in their political and historical context, his story is a highly personal one. He explains how this awesome aircraft became a national treasure and captured the imagination of the whole country. His words, descriptions and hitherto largely unpublished photographs will make people feel as he did the excitement of handling such an incredibly powerful monster always in the knowledge that he had to be in complete charge all the time as the monster could and did bite back.
26.95 In Stock
Vulcan Test Pilot: My Experiences in the Cockpit of a Cold War Icon

Vulcan Test Pilot: My Experiences in the Cockpit of a Cold War Icon

by Tony Blackman
Vulcan Test Pilot: My Experiences in the Cockpit of a Cold War Icon

Vulcan Test Pilot: My Experiences in the Cockpit of a Cold War Icon

by Tony Blackman

Paperback

$26.95 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    In stock. Ships in 3-7 days. Typically arrives in 3 weeks.
  • PICK UP IN STORE

    Your local store may have stock of this item.

Related collections and offers


Overview

In 2007 a restored Avro Vulcan Mark 2 – XH558 – took to the skies to help commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Falklands conflict. To coincide with this the memoirs of one of its test pilots, Tony Blackman, was published to great acclaim. Now the first book about test flying this monumental delta-wing aircraft which dominated the history of the late 20th century is available in paperback.

Tony is the ideal man to write such a tale as he flew no less than 105 of the 136 built, logging 850 flights at over 1,327 hours. His book describes in layman’s terms what it was like to tame the first prototypes and to master the unusual characteristics necessitated by the Vulcan’s shape.

Although Tony puts the developments, demonstrations, incidents and accidents in their political and historical context, his story is a highly personal one. He explains how this awesome aircraft became a national treasure and captured the imagination of the whole country. His words, descriptions and hitherto largely unpublished photographs will make people feel as he did the excitement of handling such an incredibly powerful monster always in the knowledge that he had to be in complete charge all the time as the monster could and did bite back.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781906502300
Publisher: Grub Street
Publication date: 07/03/2009
Pages: 224
Product dimensions: 6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Tony Blackman has spent his life in the aircraft industry as a test pilot, as an avionics specialist and then on the Board of UK Civil Aviation Authority as the Technical Member.

Table of Contents


Dedication     6
Acknowlegements     7
Foreword$dHRH The Duke of Edinburgh     8
Appreciation   Leysa Falk     9
Introduction     10
Prologue     11
From the Beginning     15
The Early Years     25
Boscombe Down     50
Developing the Vulcan Mk 1     73
Developing the Vulcan Mk 2     96
Demonstration Flying     124
Incidents and Accidents     140
Weapons and Operational Roles     169
Vulcan Mk 2 558 G-VLCN     182
Glossary     192
Time Chart     197
Accident to VX784     199
Flight Test Record     202
Vulcan Mk 2 Progress Report     205
Production History     209
CA Development Aircraft     210
Operators     212
Specifications     213
Index     214
From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews