Libya’s support for terrorism and its confrontation with the United States through particularly the first half or so of the 1980s, will be well-known to members. This support prompted US planning for potential operations against Libya, as well as freedom of navigation operations challenging Tripoli’s so-called ‘Line of Death’ in the Gulf of Sidra. The Libyan-backed terrorist bombing of the La Belle Discotheque in Berlin on 5 April 1986, killing three and wounding 229, was the catalyst for Operation ELDORADO CANYON, a joint US Air Force-US Navy operation against targets in and around Tripoli, Benina and Benghazi on 15 April 1986. In Operation Eldorado Canyon, the author seeks to provide an account of the operation itself, the strategic and operational planning involved, the conduct of the strikes themselves, and the challenges surrounding the execution of a complex, joint operation. The latter is highlighted by the author, stating: “Consider that USAF and USN/USMC aircraft based.. Read more
The Naval Review
Libya’s support for terrorism and its confrontation with the United States through particularly the first half or so of the 1980s, will be well-known to members. This support prompted US planning for potential operations against Libya, as well as freedom of navigation operations challenging Tripoli’s so-called ‘Line of Death’ in the Gulf of Sidra. The Libyan-backed terrorist bombing of the La Belle Discotheque in Berlin on 5 April 1986, killing three and wounding 229, was the catalyst for Operation ELDORADO CANYON, a joint US Air Force-US Navy operation against targets in and around Tripoli, Benina and Benghazi on 15 April 1986. In Operation Eldorado Canyon, the author seeks to provide an account of the operation itself, the strategic and operational planning involved, the conduct of the strikes themselves, and the challenges surrounding the execution of a complex, joint operation. The latter is highlighted by the author, stating: “Consider that USAF and USN/USMC aircraft based.. Read more
The Naval Review
A short read, I covered this over a couple of days and thoroughly enjoyed the book. The text is supported by first person accounts, which are a highlight, some colour profiles, and sidebars / text blocks. The narrative is for the most part near bullet point in style, as it needs to be given the size of the subject and the length of the book. I re-read some of the first-person accounts about the daring of these pilots, the enormous odds against them, and the efforts they took to succeed. There are some very good personal profiles, see images, that show these pilots for the humans they were. And post war interviews are worth the book, too. The book itself is balanced, in that there is no political statements, remaining focus on the subject title for its duration. There were a couple of areas I would have liked further explanation, but that is a curiosity thing rather than any criticism of the book. The color profiles, there are only a few of them, are great for reference material to modelers,.. Read more
Aeroscale.net
A short read, I covered this over a couple of days and thoroughly enjoyed the book. The text is supported by first person accounts, which are a highlight, some colour profiles, and sidebars / text blocks. The narrative is for the most part near bullet point in style, as it needs to be given the size of the subject and the length of the book. I re-read some of the first-person accounts about the daring of these pilots, the enormous odds against them, and the efforts they took to succeed. There are some very good personal profiles, see images, that show these pilots for the humans they were. And post war interviews are worth the book, too. The book itself is balanced, in that there is no political statements, remaining focus on the subject title for its duration. There were a couple of areas I would have liked further explanation, but that is a curiosity thing rather than any criticism of the book. The color profiles, there are only a few of them, are great for reference material to modelers,.. Read more
Aeroscale.net
"In the early 1950s it was not unusual to see the high altitude contrails of USAF B-36s over England. 385 were built and, commonly dubbed "Six Turning, Four Burning" thanks to its six piston and four jet engines. The development of the B-36 is fully described and there is considerable coverage of the political issues including competition from the Northrop flying wing. We see the B-36 into services with SAC, and we well remember al those contrails over Britain in the 1950s as the B-36s flew over. This is a readable history..."
Aviation World - Spring 2025
"In the early 1950s it was not unusual to see the high altitude contrails of USAF B-36s over England. 385 were built and, commonly dubbed "Six Turning, Four Burning" thanks to its six piston and four jet engines. The development of the B-36 is fully described and there is considerable coverage of the political issues including competition from the Northrop flying wing. We see the B-36 into services with SAC, and we well remember al those contrails over Britain in the 1950s as the B-36s flew over. This is a readable history..."
Aviation World - Spring 2025
I have just read [this] book in one sitting; informative, logical and persuasive. A veritable "tour de force" which adds to our knowledge and appreciation of events past and challenges ahead. I was particularly interested in the US perspective, of which I was mainly ignorant and the slightly internecine Falkland TG aviation tangles. I have had no qualms about my distaste and mistrust of the Crabs; the book confirmed all that I knew. I was impressed with the strategic conclusions which not only confirms my view about Whitehall and what needs to be done. I take nothing away from the overt support for the trans-Atlantic alliance, I would just add that, although admittedly a tangential matter for this book, the dependence upon the efforts of European continental powers to make up the whole alliance of northern hemisphere democracies is pivotal. I believe passionately that a European dimension to sea based air already exists and should be further exploited - CDG is a single but highly capable.. Read more
Commander Paul Fisher
I have just read [this] book in one sitting; informative, logical and persuasive. A veritable "tour de force" which adds to our knowledge and appreciation of events past and challenges ahead. I was particularly interested in the US perspective, of which I was mainly ignorant and the slightly internecine Falkland TG aviation tangles. I have had no qualms about my distaste and mistrust of the Crabs; the book confirmed all that I knew. I was impressed with the strategic conclusions which not only confirms my view about Whitehall and what needs to be done. I take nothing away from the overt support for the trans-Atlantic alliance, I would just add that, although admittedly a tangential matter for this book, the dependence upon the efforts of European continental powers to make up the whole alliance of northern hemisphere democracies is pivotal. I believe passionately that a European dimension to sea based air already exists and should be further exploited - CDG is a single but highly capable.. Read more
Commander Paul Fisher
In May 1970 the UK Ministry of Defence produced Air Publication 3410 ‘Royal Air Force – The Malayan Emergency 1948-1960.’ Classified ‘Restricted’ at the time it has now been republished verbatim in this well produced and very welcome book. The original work was an in-depth study, including the most comprehensive statistical analysis of the use and effectiveness of air power during the 12-year-long campaign against the Communist insurgency in Malaya. Initially, the text explains the background and describes the insurgent and security forces before giving an overview of the campaign. The main body then covers the organisation of the air forces (RAF, RAAF, RNZAF and RN) available before covering each major activity by role, viz: offensive air support, medium and short-range transport and air reconnaissance. It also outlines the raising of local forces before offering a concise summary. No fewer than 25 annexes provided detailed statistics of the campaign. The narrative is crisply.. Read more
Andrew Thomas - Author and Historian
In May 1970 the UK Ministry of Defence produced Air Publication 3410 ‘Royal Air Force – The Malayan Emergency 1948-1960.’ Classified ‘Restricted’ at the time it has now been republished verbatim in this well produced and very welcome book. The original work was an in-depth study, including the most comprehensive statistical analysis of the use and effectiveness of air power during the 12-year-long campaign against the Communist insurgency in Malaya. Initially, the text explains the background and describes the insurgent and security forces before giving an overview of the campaign. The main body then covers the organisation of the air forces (RAF, RAAF, RNZAF and RN) available before covering each major activity by role, viz: offensive air support, medium and short-range transport and air reconnaissance. It also outlines the raising of local forces before offering a concise summary. No fewer than 25 annexes provided detailed statistics of the campaign. The narrative is crisply.. Read more
Andrew Thomas - Author and Historian
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Commandos and Rangers
In the dark days of 1940, Prime Minister Winston Churchill showed his belief in ultimate victory by ordering the raising of the elite Commandos to 'break the intolerable shackles of defeat.' Having proved their worth in numerous raids and operations in the Mediterranean they and their American counterparts, the Rangers, were automatic choices for the… Read more...
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Lifeline in Helmand: RAF Front-Line Air Supply in Afghanistan
Lifeline in Helmand tells the story of the Royal Air Force tactical transport force operating in one of the most dangerous regions in the Afghanistan campaign – Helmand province. The Chinook helicopters of 1310 Flight fly heavy-lift and trooping missions to remote Forward Operating Bases and in direct support of Deliberate Ground Operations. They… Read more...
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Back Bearings
Eric Cropper's RAF career started in 1943 and ended in 1968. It covered a period when the navigation of aircraft changed from astro, dead reckoning and drift bearings all plotted by pencil on charts, to press-button radio and satellite information that can instantly pinpoint a position anywhere on the planet to within 5 metres. The then vital skills… Read more...
Lifeline in Helmand: RAF Front-Line Air Supply in Afghanistan
Lifeline in Helmand tells the story of the Royal Air Force tactical transport force operating in one of the most dangerous regions in the Afghanistan campaign – Helmand province. The Chinook helicopters of 1310 Flight fly heavy-lift and trooping missions to remote Forward Operating Bases and in direct support of Deliberate Ground Operations. They… Read more...
In Kitchener's Men John Hutton provides a absorbing account of the raising, training and fighting experiences of the Service and Territorial battalions of the King's Own Royal Lancasters in France during the Great War. His book gives a graphic insight into the daily routine and grim reality of warfare on the Western Front for men who were mostly recruited… Read more...
