|
Showing 1 - 2 of
2 matches in All Departments
In Harrier Boys, Volume One: Cold War Through the Falklands,
1969-1990, Bob Marston, who flew Harriers for many years, draws
together accounts from others who worked with this unique jet
through its history. The excitement, camaraderie and pride of
Harrier operators shine through in the personal stories of those
whose lives were changed by their experience of this iconic
aircraft, both on land and at sea. In this first volume, events of
the Cold War years are brought to life by contributors including
Graham Williams, who flew the Transatlantic Air Race, Peter
Dodworth, a member of the original Harrier Conversion Team, Peter
Harris, a participant in the early defence of Belize, Sir Peter
Squire, OC 1 (F) Squadron during the Falklands conflict, and
Australian Dave Baddams, who commanded the Royal Navy Sea Harriers
of 800 Squadron.
In the second volume of Harrier Boys, as with the first, the
history of this remarkable aircraft in service with UK armed forces
is illustrated through personal reminiscences of the people who
worked with it. The book begins with explanations of the mature
concept of operations with the Harrier GR3 in the Cold War. It then
progresses through the evolution of Harrier II, starting with the
GR5, and updates to the Sea Harrier, while the potential battles to
be fought necessitated ever-changing tactics and technology. The
new Harriers used digital developments for airframe, engine and
weapons control. Conflicts in Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, Sierra Leone
and Afghanistan saw ground-attack missions move towards the
delivery of smart weapons from medium level, rather than the dumb
bombs and low level of the Cold War era meaning that the Harrier
had once more to demonstrate its legendary versatility. The
introduction of the Sea Harrier FA2, with its beyond visual range
air-to-air missiles and improved radar, gave much improved air
defence. The UK Harrier story ends with the closer integration of
the RN and RAF forces, before the aircraft's all-too-early
retirement in 2010, possibly decades before other countries forsake
this unique capability.
|
|