Mortons Books

This book is about the second of the three V
bombers which were built to guard the United
Kingdom during the Cold War. The Vulcan has
become an aviation icon like the Spitfire and it is probably
true to say that most people, whatever their age, will
recognise the aircraft notwithstanding the fact that the
RAF stopped flying it four decades ago. Its delta shape
makes it instantly identifi able as does its noise when the
engines are opened up for take-off.
The objective in producing this book is to put on
record all the things the aircraft did alongside memories
written by the operators themselves. Wherever
necessary I introduce the writer and pass comments on
various issues raised but the book is mainly composed
of first-hand accounts and personal opinions which
give an authenticity that is impossible to match just
by relating conversations third hand; David Castle’s
account of his Black Buck sorties is a first class prime
example.
One cannot help but be impressed when reading of the
long hours spent by the crews, ground as well as flight,
sitting by the aircraft at the readiness platforms waiting
to be scrambled to defend the country in the event of a
third world war. Thankfully it never happened but it might