The lazy schoolboy who became a Cold War Vulcan nuclear bomber pilot (318)

The lazy schoolboy who became a Cold War Vulcan nuclear bomber pilot (318)

Kevin was born in Wigan in North West England and joined the RAF as an apprentice in 1956 with only 3 O Levels. He came top of his course but was posted into supplies at RAF St Mawgan. However, he quickly became in charge of their clothing stores and via a fortuitous route became a trainee pilot. By May 1963 he joined the RAF V Force as a Vulcan pilot and served with 44 Squadron where Vulcan crews were being converted to low-level flying. He describes the challenges of low-level flying, Vulcan handling, and the immense power of the Vulcan’s engines and training in Canada. We also hear about the different methods of nuclear bomb release, what it was like to be on Quick Reaction Alert, and his targets in the Soviet Union. Kevin also flew a number of the Queen’s birthday flights up the Mall and describes a near collision on one of these events in cloud. He also remembers some of his colleagues who never came back from missions. Extra episode information including videos here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode318/ The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Love history? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod 0:00 Introduction and Background of Kevin 3:35 Kevin's Journey from Corporal Supplier to Vulcan Pilot 9:49 Kevin's Experiences and Training as a Vulcan pilot 18:20 Low-Level Flying, and Navigating 23:43 Quick Reaction Alerts and Nuclear Bomb Release 29:57 Post-Bomb Release Plans and Popular Media Depictions 33:22 Incidents, Implications, and Personal Views on nuclear Weapons 37:33 Responsibility of a Vulcan's Crew and recalling past incidents 39:17 Kevin's experience with Other V Bombers and survival training 42:06 Kevin's participation in Bombing Competitions and Closing Remarks Chapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jaksot(445)

Uncovering Cold War Soviet secrets with the USAF and NSA (310)

Uncovering Cold War Soviet secrets with the USAF and NSA (310)

Tim served in the USAF and the NSA from 1975 to 1988 during some of the most tense periods of the Cold War. This included stints at the US Air Force Electronic Warfare Center at Kelly AFB, Texas, and ...

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REME Keeping the British Army on the road during the Cold War (309)

REME Keeping the British Army on the road during the Cold War (309)

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Gunfire in the Woods: A foiled escape and imprisonment in Cold War East Germany  (308)

Gunfire in the Woods: A foiled escape and imprisonment in Cold War East Germany (308)

This is part two of Henrik’s story. You can hear the first part in episode 307. https://coldwarconversations.com/episode307 It’s the late 1980s and Henrik and his friends plan to escape from East Germ...

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Growing up in Cold War East Germany's Valley of the Clueless (307)

Growing up in Cold War East Germany's Valley of the Clueless (307)

Henrik was born in the late 1960s near Dresden in East Germany. The area was sarcastically known as the Tal der Ahnungslosen or Valley of the Clueless, as the area generally was not able to receive TV...

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Flying the Cold War A10 Tankbuster Part 2 (306)

Flying the Cold War A10 Tankbuster Part 2 (306)

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Flying the Cold War A10 Tankbuster Part 1 (305)

Flying the Cold War A10 Tankbuster Part 1 (305)

Joe’s father served in World War 2 in the USAF. His service inspired Joe to try and join the USAF or the Naval Air Force despite having no flying experience. It’s the aftermath of the Vietnam War so f...

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A Cold War Polish childhood near Wroclaw (304)

A Cold War Polish childhood near Wroclaw (304)

Tom lived in western Poland in an area that had been part of Germany until the end of World War 2. He describes how his grandmother settled in this area and the strangeness of taking over formerly Ger...

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Soviet MIG shoots-down a US RB-47H reconnaissance plane (303)

Soviet MIG shoots-down a US RB-47H reconnaissance plane (303)

On 1 July 1960, a United States RB-47H reconnaissance plane was shot down by the Soviet Air Defence Forces while performing signals intelligence in the Barents Sea, near the Kola Peninsula, off the Ar...

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