Download or read book Nimrod Rise and Fall written by Tony Blackman and published by Casemate Publishers. This book was released on 2011-12-01 with total page 289 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The episodic history of Britain’s infamous military reconnaissance aircraft, by the author of Vulcan Test Pilot and aviation expert who witnessed it all. The scrapping of the Nimrod program has been one of the most controversial events in the military aviation world for many years. For most of its operational life, from 1969 to date, its contribution to the defense of the realm and its role in offensive duties was, of necessity, often shrouded in secrecy. It was the “eye in the sky” that was vital to a host of activities—from anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, to support of land battles throughout the world, to the Falklands campaign, to combating drug-running. Now the UK is bereft of such a multitasking reconnaissance aircraft. The full story of the Nimrod, and its significance, has now been told. Tony Blackman, who was there at the beginning, test-flew nearly every aircraft, and was at Kinloss on the very day the project was canceled, has written this timely book, covering every facet of its history, its weapons system developments, and its tragic accidents. He writes in an approachable way, making technical subjects understandable, but his conclusions will, inevitably, not be welcomed by everyone.