Cold War Boys Overseas
Cold War Boys Overseas
Authors: Graham Pitchfork & Sir Richard Johns
c 1945 to c 2000 (Post-war period) | Biography: historical, political & military | Military history
Published on 28th June 2024 by Grub Street Publishing in the United Kingdom.
Hardback | 224 pages
234mm x 156mm | 0g
Until the end of the Cold War in 1990, the RAF had several major bases worldwide – largely in those areas where the service had been based during the inter-war years. In Cold War Boys Overseas contributors recall their time at these foreign destinations. With almost half of RAF personnel serving abroad in the 1960s situated throughout Germany, the book starts its focus there with tales of monitoring the Soviet threat. The stories then advance to the warmer climates of the Near East and Far East where different challenges awaited those serving there.
As the period progressed RAF squadrons saw changes to their equipment with Hunters, Javelins and Canberras being replaced by a new generation of combat aircraft such as the Buccaneer, Harrier, Jaguar, Phantom and Vulcan. Innovation of missile defence and the expansion of the role of helicopters were also critical at this time. How this affected the RAF is told by the aircrew and ground crew who served then.
The stories that feature in the book reveal just how serving overseas was a different way of life and the chapters illustrate the many facets of the RAF’s capabilities across the globe. They also highlight a lifestyle that no longer exists in today’s RAF.
Buckle up and allow the Cold War Boys to take you on a thrilling adventure across the globe.