Canberra Boys: Fascinating Accounts from the Operators of an English Electric Classic

Andrew Brookes

Nov 2021 · Tantor Media Inc · Narrated by Stewart Crank

Audiobook

9 hr 39 min

Unabridged

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About this audiobook

The English Electric Canberra first came into production in the late 1940s and has since played a hugely significant part in world events. In Canberra Boys, Andrew Brookes takes us through its rich history with the help of those who operated this magnificent machine. Contributors include Roly "Bee" Beamont, the English Electric test pilot who first flew the aircraft in 1949. 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 and throughout the 20th century, the Canberra operated across the globe in Europe, South America, and South East Asia. It has served an array of air forces such as the USAF, Australian air force, and the Indian air force-the third largest operator of the Canberra after the RAF and USAF. This led to the Canberra playing a crucial role as a photo-reconnaissance aircraft in phenomenal operations like the Suez Campaign, the nuclear tests of Operation Grapple and the Indonesian Confrontation. Other tales in the book include participation in the Sassoon Trophy competition, long-distance flights in Exercise Round Trip, and Operation Quick Flight.

About the author

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.

With over eighty titles to his name, Stewart Crank has developed a reputation as a solid and reliable voice-over artist, consistently delivering quality audio to his clients. When not recording, Stewart spends his time rock climbing or slowly making his way through his ever-expanding list of unwatched classic films.

Stuart Peach, United Kingdom Air Force, is the 32nd Chairman of the Military Committee of NATO and the Military Adviser to the Secretary General and the North Atlantic Council.

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