The Final Flight by James Blatch (books to read in your 30s .TXT) 📗

who have cajoled, encouraged and occasionally pushed a little harder to ensure this book made it into the world. A few friends kindly read early versions and gave me the benefit of their thoughts. Thank you John C, Bob and Nathan in particular. I also received some valuable last minute help with the nitty task of proofreading. Thank you Paul Eddleston, Tracey Pedersen and Tom Feltham.

It is a wonderful time to be a writer, thanks to the changes in publishing, and I’m lucky to be at the centre of this quiet revolution.

For the story itself, I am grateful to the many former Royal Air Force men and women who gave me their time and thoughts as I worked to recreate an environment that was, a little before my time.

Foremost is my father. A test pilot at Boscombe Down, 1960-1966. Squadron Leader John R. Blatch, AFC, flew the Vulcan, Canberra, Hunter, Javelin and many, many others during his time and it was a luxury having him at the end of the phone to answer questions such as whether Vulcan pilots could isolate the intercom from the rear-crew, how the autopilot cancel worked and which pubs did the officers drink in?

Alas, my mother will never read this book. We lost her on May 31st, 2005. She was an air traffic controller at Boscombe when she met my father. She enjoys a cameo in this book, but you can find her bright and unmistakable character on the pages that involve Georgina and Mary.

Ray Cotton was a test pilot colleague of my fathers at Boscombe and I am very grateful for an hour I spent on the phone picking his brains about the day-to-day operations. It was Ray who told me of the drinking culture. So bad at one point that the Station Commander ordered the bar closed at lunchtimes… He also told me of the times they switched off the oxygen in the V-Bombers and had an in-flight smoke. Times have changed.

Besides my father and Ray, many others have helped with the authenticity aspect of the book, including the operators of the preserved Vulcan XH558. I spent a highly informative afternoon at Robin Hood Airport (formerly RAF Finningley), learning how to operate and navigate a Vulcan bomber to its target in deepest Russia.

I’d also like to thank the ever helpful and witty former military aircrew who inhabit the PPRUNE online forum, for their patient answers to my questions.

However, I should point out that this is a work of fiction. I have in some cases deliberately introduced unrealistic working practices, simply for the story, and I am certain I have also made mistakes in portraying 1960’s RAF life. If you have any observations, I would love to hear from you, but please accept my apologies in advance.

My wife Gill was an early reader of the manuscript, and she gave me invaluable advice. I’m grateful for her practical support. I’m also grateful for the emotional support she gives me as we navigate life together.

To get in contact, please join my occasional newsletter. It’s a place where you can learn a little more about the real-life incidents that inspired The Final Flight.

jamesblatch.com/thefinalflight

About the Author

James Blatch is a former BBC defence reporter and a former BBFC film examiner.

James covered British military matters around the world including stints on HMS Invincible as well as reporting from Ali Al Salem (Kuwait), Gioa Del Colle (Italy) and Bardufoss (Arctic Circle, Norway).

He was lucky enough to fly twice with 1 (Fighter) Squadron in a Harrier MkT.10 as well as with 41 Squadron in a Sepecat Jaguar.

Today James lives near Huntingdon in the UK with his wife, two children and two dogs. He works in publishing and other ventures.

The author, after a flight in a Jaguar, Royal Air Force Coltishall, 2003.

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