Canberra Boys cover art

Canberra Boys

Fascinating Accounts from the Operators of an English Electric Classic

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Canberra Boys

By: Andrew Brookes, Stuart Peach - foreword
Narrated by: Stewart Crank
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About this listen

The English Electric Canberra first came into production in the late 1940s and has since played a hugely significant part in world events. In Canberra Boys, Andrew Brookes takes us through its rich history with the help of those who operated this magnificent machine. Contributors include Roly "Bee" Beamont, the English Electric test pilot who first flew the aircraft in 1949.

As part of the expansion of the RAF's Bomber Command in the 1950s, RAF Binbrook was the first station to house four Canberra squadrons, starting with 101 Squadron in May 1951. Since then and throughout the 20th century, the Canberra operated across the globe in Europe, South America, and South East Asia. It has served an array of air forces such as the USAF, Australian air force, and the Indian air force-the third largest operator of the Canberra after the RAF and USAF.

This led to the Canberra playing a crucial role as a photo-reconnaissance aircraft in phenomenal operations like the Suez Campaign, the nuclear tests of Operation Grapple and the Indonesian Confrontation. Other tales in the book include participation in the Sassoon Trophy competition, long-distance flights in Exercise Round Trip, and Operation Quick Flight.

©2017 Andrew Brookes (P)2021 Tantor Air Forces Armed Forces Europe Great Britain Military US Air Force

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All stars
Most relevant
Poor narration. The narrator clearly has zero understanding or experience of the RAF which does impact the experience

Story of great jet and capable aircrew

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Pedantic I know, however I find the description of squadron numbers eg. 101 Squadron as one hundred and first Squadron very annoying. One would hope that narrators would have read enough history to know that 617 Squadron ( the Dam Busters) are not called the six hundred and and seventeenth Squadron. Very annoying.

Tedious

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Poor narration ,so annoying hearing RAF Squadron numbers referred to by the American numbering system ie 101 sqn 50 sqn and 6i7 Sqn as 101st, 50th and 617th Squadrons , so annoying in fact I almost gave up listening , surely this should have been picked up before release, it needs a whole new corrected narration

poor narration

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Like the other reviewer, I found it very annoying that squadrons are constantly referred to by the American system (eg 617 squadron was pronounced as the six hundred and seventeenth squadron). Unlike the other reviewer however, I did give up after a few hours. I didn’t find the actual story very engaging despite normally enjoying this type of book and genre

Poor narration

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The whole performance lacked ‘verve’ - it felt rather plodding. And the description of RAF squadrons using ‘st’ or ‘nd’ suffixes etc. is quite frankly, annoying.

A Struggle to Listen To

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