Aeroplane April 2021

[Pirate Pete]

The April edition looks like it could be interesting!

 

[uk 75]

The V force and Blue Steel/Skybolt are the subjects of some pretty comprehensive recent books.
"Aeroplane Monthly" based on the March issue which I bought solely for its Chris Cibson article seems to be a clumsy mix of articles about restoring old planes and nostalgic memories by contributors with oversized glossy photos.
Unless the V force article is by someone like Chris I will give it a miss.

 

[CJGibson]

Yup, mine.

 

[uk 75]

CJ I you didnt get where you are today by missing an opportunity like that.
For owners of your Hammer book is there anything we should be looking out for?

 

[uk 75]

Saturday shopping and found a small newsagents had Aeroplane Monthly.
The Cold War articles in this edition are worth having.
Chris focuses on the Blue Steel stand off bomb with Skybolt as a postscript. A useful Blue Steel account which I have cut out to go in one of my numerous V Bomber books (I try to insert cuttings into books as enclosures).
A section covers the Buccaneer S2 in its nuclear role.
Both this and the Blue Steel have nice little diagrams of the delivery flight profiles.
A very full account of Comet 2 electronic warfare ops
Tony Buttler's profiles of Hawker and Supermarine swept wing research jets
An account of Gloster Meteor NF14 night fighter patrols in W Germany in the 50s
A rare bit of coverage of the Blackburn Beverley in service.
A short article about the Gloster Javelin mentions that in the 1961 Berlin Wall crisis they would have escorted transports through the corridor if needed (good luck with that one!)
Aeroplane Monthly is very much focussed on the plane lover. I cant help comparing it with 60s and 70s editions of Air Pictorial.

 

[Pasoleati]

I'd recommend a comparison with the same magazine, say, from 1985. The reduction in quality is immense.

 

[Richard N]

Aeroplane April 2021 Contents