When the Nimrods protected Moray
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A LONDON-based author has paid tribute to the help he received from former RAF servicemen with links to Moray.
Alongside penning several works of fiction Tony Blackman OBE has already written six factual books about various aspects of aviation.
For his seventh, Nimrod Boys, Tony has relied heavily on more than 20 first-hand accounts from the people who flew and operated the plane which was stationed at RAF Kinloss for many years.
The book includes several chapters detailing the Nimrod's contributions during the Cold War, the Falklands and the first Gulf War.
Tony said: "I was only in the RAF myself for a relatively short period of time before I left to become a test pilot with A V Roe.
"So it was really illuminating to talk to the people who were involved with it on more of a day-to-day capacity.
"Particular thanks have to go to Joe Kennedy who was with 201 and 2016 Squadrons at RAF Kinloss before retiring from in 2011.
"I first came into contact with Joe after he contributed to a previous book of mine, Nimrod: Rise and Fall.
"He wrote a long account of the Piper Alpha disaster. I began by trying to cut it back but it was so well-written I ended up using every word.
"Joe has been a tower of strength with Nimrod Boys, putting me into contact with many so people.
"Their accounts are history of the type that doesn't always get recorded by regular historians."
Nimrod Boys (£25) is available locally.
