This series of books, based on the author's popular series for Flypast magazine, provides a fresh user-friendly look at the military airfields of Britain. The books, each of which includes a number of counties on a regional basis, are designed for the historian, the tourist and anyone with an interest in their local area. Entries cover every military airfield within the counties, from World War One to the present day, and include a brief history of the airfield, construction and use. There is a comprehensive list of flying units with dates and aircraft types; and a listing of HQ units based at the airfield. There are details of memorials and maps and plans of almost every airfield. The two areas covered here are often believed to have been an aviation backwater, but this is by no means a true picture: both played major roles in both world wars. In 1914-18 they were home to training bases and the coastal regions housed maritime patrol bases that were vital in protecting shipping against U-boats. During WWII the maritime role was once again dominant and the exploits of the Coastal Command Strike Wings were legendary; les well known but equally vital were the thousands of hours the patrols spent hunting or gathering weather information. Training was once again a major function as the region's airfields were reasonably safe from air attack. During the Cold War these areas remained crucial. Shackletons and later Nimrods provided maritime cover as the Russian submarine threat increased, and fighters at places such as Leuchars held 'Q' (alert) to prevent Russian nuclear bombers making pre-emptive strikes. AUTHOR Ken Delve joined the Royal Air Force as a Navigator and in a 20-year flying career served with a number of operational squadrons (Canberra and Tornado), as well as spending time as an instructor. His interest in aviation history was stimulated by his role as a squadron and station historian, a 'secondary duty' during most of his postings, and this led to an involvement in researching and writing articles and books. On leaving the RAF he became Editor of FlyPast magazine, the market-leading historic aviation magazine, and was subsequently appointed Editor-in-Chief with Key Publishing with responsibility for eight aviation magazines. He is now a training consultant in the Middle East. An established author of 30 books and hundreds of articles, Ken Delve also lectures on RAF history and air power. He is the founding Director of the Aviation History Centre, a web-based aviation history research facility. SELLING POINTS An important series providing a fresh user-friendly look at the military airfields of the British Isles aimed at historians, enthusiasts, the tourist and anyone with an interest Illustrated with 250 b/w photos and diagrams Ken Delve is an established author and former Editor-in-Chief with Key Publishing * Illustrated

Author Biography

Ken Delve left the RAF after a twenty-year flying career to become Editor of Flypast magazine and subsequently Editor-in-Chief with Key Publishing with responsibility for eight aviation magazines. An established author, he also lectures on RAF history.