THE MODERN RAF

This invaluable book focuses on aircraft and weapons, operational bases and operational units of the RAF. Each of these aspects of the modern force is covered comprehensively, with bases, units, missiles and aircraft receiving an entry giving information that is often difficult to track down elsewhere.

The book is illustrated throughout with over 300 colour and black and white photographs. As a source of fascinating information on today's RAF and the history of its squadrons and bases, this is second to none.

The Royal Air Force was formed in 1918 from the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps. The importance of the new independent third service grew rapidly, as aircraft became more sophisticated and the part they came to play in modern warfare became ever more central. Deployed across the Empire in the 1920s and 30s, the strength of the Air Force reached its height in the Second World War when it operated from hundreds of airfields across the country and, latterly, the world. It remained strong during the Cold War when it represented the first line of defence nuclear and conventional against any Soviet attack. Today the RAF is much reduced in size, and the threat of further cuts is ever-present, but it remains of pivotal importance to the defence of Great Britain and the work of the peace-keeping and humanitarian efforts of which Britain is a part.

Jeremy Flack has written a book pulling together much of the most important but most difficult to find information about the modern Royal Air Force. Every operational RAF base, including airfields, training bases and radar stations, is given its own write-up, with details of location, dates of opening and a brief history; units and aircraft currently based at each location are also noted. Every aircraft currently operated by the RAF is similarly covered, with history and information on current deployment. Missiles operated by the RAF also have their own chapter. The final element of this book is complete coverage of every known unit, whether operational squadron, training unit or police force. Each unit is given its history, including details of types flown and home bases.

Illustrated with over 300 photographs, this book will be an invaluable reference to anyone with an interest in the modern RAF, its people, places and aircraft.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeremy Flack is a well-known aviation author and photographer. He runs a specialist aviation photo library and is the author of many books, including NATO Air-Launched Weapons (Crowood, 2002). He lives in Swindon, Wiltshire.