Flying Forwards, Facing Backwards: Captivating Tales from a Vulcan and Nimrod Air Electronics Officer

Jim Walls

Jul 2022 · Tantor Media Inc · Narrated by Graham Mack

About this audiobook

Since he was a child in the 1950s watching Vampires and Meteors operating from RAF Turnhouse, Jim Walls wanted to fly aircraft, he just never envisaged that his flying career would be spent in the back seat as opposed to the front. Jim guides listeners through his forty-year RAF career that started as a Boy Entrant at RAF Cosford, then as an air radar tradesman, before specializing as an air electronics operator (AEOp) in the Nimrod MR1, and later as an air electronics officer (AEO) who flew in Nimrod R1s and Vulcan B2s. With detailed insight into the world of radar, electronic countermeasures, and signals intelligence, Jim highlights the role they played in warfare for numerous operations during the Cold War as well as the Falklands campaign, First Gulf War, and Bosnian War. As well as focusing on his career, Jim gives his viewpoint on matters such as Operation Black Buck and the reduced war-fighting capability of the Vulcan as it neared retirement. This fascinating book showcases the vital role that AEOs held and the importance of radar and electronic warfare in the fight against enemy forces. It is also a tribute to the much-loved Cold War icons, the Nimrod and the Vulcan. This book will appeal to Cold War enthusiasts and fans of the iconic jets of that era.

About the author

Jim Walls had a forty year RAF career that started as a Boy Entrant at RAF Cosford, an air radar tradesman, and became an air electronics operator in the Nimrob MR1 who flew in Nimrod R1s and Vulcan B2s. He is the author of Flying Forwards, Flying Backwards.

Graham Mack is a multi-award-winning British voice actor, producer, and broadcaster. He's worked in radio and TV all over the UK and Australia and is the voice of commercials and corporate videos. He has narrated over a hundred audiobooks.