Since its formation in 1957 the Army Air Corps has played a prominent role in almost every British Army operation. We get to talk to the authors of ‘Ops Normal Volume 1, The Authorised Operational History of the Army Air Corps, 1957-2017’ and they take us through the evolution of the Corps, how it was founded and its theatres of operations during t…

Air Marshal ‘Black’ Robertson CBE BA FRAeS FRSA flew all the RAF’s front-line fast jets and also qualified as a helicopter pilot. Now retired, he also completed five tours in Whitehall, which he describes as his time as a ‘Whitehall Warrior’. He is a well published author, including ’Fighters in the Blood’, ‘A Spitfire Named Connie’ and ‘From Spitf…

Garth Barnard joins us to talk about his work cataloguing Bomber Command OTUs during WWII around central England. Aerodromes such as RAF Barford St John, RAF Bicester, RAF Chipping Warden, RAF Croughton, RAF Finmere, RAF Hinton-in-the-Hedges, RAF Silverstone, RAF Turweston and RAF Upper Heyford. Training crews flew aircraft such as the Hampden, Ble…

A new biography is being written on Claude Grahame-White. One that this will give more depth to the story behind the man who was a British aviation legend in his time and one who was sadly downtrodden and outcast by the government of the day. Joining us is Alison White who has taken on the task of correcting the historical record and resetting our …

Although we finished the main content of the Cold War Coastal Command series in the last chapter, a story emerged that we just couldn’t resist. Stephen Bridgewater, Deputy Editor for Aerospace Magazine and good friend of the show mentioned that he had in fact purchased an RAF Nimrod directly from the RAF back in 2010. After Steve’s story, Gareth jo…

In our final Chapter of the Cold War Coastal Command series, we are honoured to speak to Air Chief Marshal Sir Brian Burridge, KCB, CBE, ADC, FCMI, FRAeS. Sir Brian takes us not only through flying the Nimrod and Nimrod operations in the Cold War period, but also explains how the Nimrod was used strategically in theatres such as the Falklands War, …

Nimrod XV250 is based at the Yorkshire Air Museum in Elvington near York. She was dedicated by the Archbishop of York to stand as a permanent tribute to the 14 British servicemen killed in Afghanistan when Nimrod XV230 crashed near Kandahar in September 2006. Her team of volunteers keep her in a ground running condition to remember all Aircrew and …

The Shackleton replacement now started to become more urgent. For years the Air Staff and Ministries had argued over what type should replace the Shackleton, including variants of the Vulcan, Britannia, VC10 and Trident, before settling for the Nimrod in 1964 We return to Chris Gibson, author of the brilliant book 'Nimrod’s Genesis' to learn how th…

There is a Shackleton that still ‘Growls’ and this chapter features Shackleton MR2 WR963, currently based at Coventry but with a major project underway to move her to Elvington and the Yorkshire Air Museum. We speak to Richard Woods the driving forcebehind the project all about the aircraft and how to engineer the airframe when very few original en…

In this feature we talk to Ian Chisolm, Secretary of the Coastal Command and Maritime Air Association, about the RAF’s Avro Shackleton. Ian logged over 3,000 hours as an Air Electronics Officer (AEO) in charge of a team of five SNCO Air Electronics Operators who manned the Radio, Radar and Underwater Acoustics systems as well as the 20mm Hispano ca…

At the end of World War Two RAF Coastal Command faced the same challenges of all the British military services, one of reduction, cutbacks and a return to a peaceful world. The threat from the axis powers had been effectively squashed but there was a new threat emerging, in the form of the Soviet Union. Coastal Command had to start learning about n…

Ever wondered how you go about marketing one of the worlds premier airshows, an air display act, or an airport? Helen Webb, Founder and Director at International Airshow Marketing, joins us to tell us how it all fits together. Recorded 30th July 2024 Contact Us: ⁠[email protected]⁠ Xtended Link Tree https://linktr.ee/aviationxtende…

We speak to the inspirational founder of Elevate(Her), Katherine Maloney. Katherine eloquently speaks up for a more diverse workforce across the aviation sector. Elevate(Her) is growing exponentially due to the demand for the work they do, encouraging, nurturing and assisting the future generations of aviation employees. Recorded 18th July 2024 Con…

We talk to Chris Wroblewski and Garth Barnard about their in depth investigation of the 1943 B-24 Liberator crash, that killed Polish General Sikorski and dispel the myths and conspiracies around assassination or accident being the cause. Recorded 4th June 2024 Contact Us: [email protected] You can buy a copy of the book at our boo…

The Xtended team finally all assemble to talk about 200 episodes of the podcast, recent sad news from the aviation world, Ellie's trip to Normandy for the D-Day 80th commemorations and more. Believe it or not, this is the first time all four members of the team have managed to record together - hopefully we will do it again soon! Recorded 3rd June …

Amanda Harrison has always wanted to recreate the footsteps of Amy Johnson, flying solo in a Tiger Moth from the UK to Darwin, Australia in just 20 Days. Listen in as she tells us the tale of the attempt and how things unfolded. From Dracula’s Castle to Mediterranean wonders! Although a professional pilot, Amanda is also dyslexic, an additional cha…

Mick Oakey, Robert Forsyth and Chris Gibson come back to the History Round Table to answer listener questions. We discuss what books do not get written, what they would love to read, their proudest work and what do they think about graphics and photos in books and articles. Along with advice for budding aviation authors this is an enjoyable roundta…

There is a new podcast focused on RAF Bomber Command in World War Two hosted by Writer and Military Historian Jane Gulliford Lowes and Historian and co host James Jefferies. It is of course 'Never Mind The Dambusters'! In this, our landmark 200th episode, we get the opportunity to talk to Jane and James about Bomber Command and the challenges the a…

Samuel de Korte is a graduate student of Utrecht University, where he studied an MA in the Cultural History of Modern Europe. He wrote his Master's thesis about the representation of black Americans during the Second World War, indicating that although they formed a substantial part of the American armed forces, they don't receive an equal share in…

Finalising our focus on how the use of AI, data and machine learning is changing the sector, we are joined by Andy Taylor, the Chief Solutions Officer at NATS. NATS it is the UK's leading provider of air traffic control services as well as providing air traffic services to airports, airlines, air traffic service providers and governments across par…

In 2023 Dave Homewood from the Wings Over New Zealand podcast visited the UK to record and document Kiwi aviation involvement in World War Two by visiting some of our historic aircraft, museums, airfields and memorials. Dave is returning in 2024 but with a slightly different agenda. We caught up with Dave as he planned the return ‘Wings Over Britai…

Steven Bailey discovered that the story of the U.S. Navy airstrikes on Japanese-held Hong Kong during the final year of World War II had never been told. Operation Gratitude involved nearly 100 U.S. Navy warships and close to a thousand planes. His new book ‘Target Hong Kong’ brings this massive operation down to a human scale, recounting the air r…

Dr Tony Redding is a military historian and author with a particular interest in RAF Bomber Command. He joins us to talk us through the operational capability and credibility of Britain’s airborne nuclear deterrent during the peak years of the Cold War. Recorded 23rd Feb 2024 Contact Us: [email protected] You can order a copy of th…

Continuing our focus on how data and technology has changed the aviation sector we welcome Diana Franganillo Luque from Indra and Udi Segall from Intell-Act to discuss an exciting project to integrate all airport, airline and air traffic data using AI to streamline the ‘Perfect Aircraft Pit-stop. Recorded 7th Feb 2024 Contact Us: GetInvolved@aviati…

Ryan Noppen joins to help us understand the overlooked air battle between the Netherlands and Germany that thwarted the German invasion of Holland in 1940 for five days. Ryan is a military author with a Master of Arts degree in European history. Ryan is a scholar of Dutch, German and Central European history and the author of ‘Holland 1940, The Luf…

Paul Beaver joins us to talk about Britain’s Greatest Test Pilot, Captain Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown. His best selling book, reprinted 5 times and last year’s Biography of the Year is ‘Winkle: The Extraordinary Life of Britain’s Greatest Pilot’. Paul gives us an insight to this amazing mans life. This is a fascinating feature. Don’t miss it! Recorded 31st…

We welcome back Brain Harvey to talk us through the history and evolution of JAXA and the Japanese Space Programme. Recorded 23rd Jan 2024 Contact Us: [email protected] Get a copy of Japan In Space: Past, Present and Future by Brian Havey at our Bookshop Brian Harvey Web - https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-45573-5 Am…

This updated edition of Paul Crickmore's classic Lockheed Blackbird: Beyond the Secret Missions is based on 850 pages of documentation and images declassified by the CIA covering the A-12 Oxcart programme. Paul joins us to talk about the A-12 and SR-71, the missions and their challenges, but also to discuss the changes in this new edition which inc…

In 2000 a team of retired pensioners set about building Scotland’s only World War One aircraft, the Sopwith Strutter. That airframe is now ready to fly and Ellie is in the prime position to test fly it. Find out why they built the aircraft, the challenges they faced and how the team now go about taking her to the air. Please support the Kickstarter…

Legendary battle of Britain fighter ace Stanford Tuck is the subject of a new book by Helen Doe. ‘Stanford Tuck Hero of the Battle of Britain, the life of the great fighter ace’, is published by Grub Street and is available now. Recorded 24th October 2023 Contact Us: [email protected] Helen Doe Web https://www.helendoe.uk/ Twitter …

Rowland White joins us to discuss his new book ‘Mosquito: The RAF's Legendary Wooden Wonder and its Most Extraordinary Mission’. Rowland amazes us with his knowledge and detail behind the aircraft and focus of the book. Enjoy the stories, the heroes and villains and of course the de Havilland Mosquito! Recorded 17th October 2023 Contact Us: GetInvo…

Tomislav Lang, Managing Director of FlyVbird joins us to talk about the pioneering tech airline model that will revolutionise airline travel in the future. The methodology is based upon a low cost, on demand air service, driven by proprietary algorithm and software architecture. In this exclusive discussion we hear the exciting news of FlyVBird and…

This episode we start a new focus on how data has, and continues to change, the aerospace and aviation sector. We will have a few episodes that will come out over the next month or two that specifically challenges our guests to talk about how data, the cloud, AI and machine learning are changing the aerospace sector. We actually started with our la…

In 2021, Xwing made history by completing the world’s first autonomous cargo flight. During the demonstration — Xwing’s CESSNA 208 Caravan backed out of its gate, taxied onto the runway, took off, flew a predetermined mission, landed, and returned to its gate. All entirely on its own. The flight was supervised by Xwing’s remote crew on the ground, …

What happens when you put three authors and publishers around a table to discuss the challenges of writing historical aviation content? Find out in this fascinating insight on what it is like to research, write and publish accurate and compelling historical aviation books and magazines. Mick Oakey is a familiar voice to many and is of course Managi…

We continue our Test Pilot series with Commander Nathan Gray, who joins us to talk about his book ‘Hazard Spectrum’. With over 140 combat missions to his name, he is among the most decorated pilots in the British armed forces and we share Nathan’s journey to the top of the Fleet Air Arm, from student to F-35 Test Pilot. But, the episode starts with…

Mark Lardas joins us to talk about the ‘The Kamikaze Campaign 1944–45 - Imperial Japan's last throw of the dice’ his book published by Osprey. Mark of course was a major part of our Coastal Command series, nominated for an International Aerospace Media Award. Mark has been fascinated by all things related to the sea and sky his entire life; from bu…

Dave Homewood from the Wings Over New Zealand podcast took on the almighty task of a 35-day tour of as many UK aviation heritage locations as he could squeeze in. All in the spirit of recording a new podcast series called the Wings Over Britain! The first few episodes are already out, and they bring a fresh view of the sector from an avid enthusias…

The true story of the largest polar rescue mission in history is pretty much unknown in most aviation circles. Until now! Mark Piesing author of the book N4 Down joins us to discuss this almost unbelievable story of human suffering and tragedy, political drama, incompetence and heroism. This story has everything! Recorded 18th July 2023 Buy ‘N4 Dow…

In the book 'Royal Navy Cold War Buccaneer Pilot', author Simon Kershaw helps us relive the story of his father Steve Kershaw flying the mighty Buccaneer in Fleet Air Arm service. Much of the tale comes from Steve’s own notes and memoirs, then picked up by Simon’s analysis of his final flight. In the sobering finale we discuss Steve’s final flight …

As we continue our focus on features across aerospace, let’s take a look at the hovercraft, which brings up the question of ‘where exactly does it fit in?’ To help us answer that question we are joined by Ben Avery. Ben is the Chief Pilot at Griffon Hoverwork and a Trustee and Head of Operations at The Hovercraft Museum. Recorded 13th June 2023 Lin…

Find out in this episode with Kerry Bennett why the sky is NOT the limit. Dream big, work hard and take risks and you can achieve your dreams and goals. Kerry Bennett is a mother, pilot and STEM Ambassador. With a career that already spans the RAF with over 100 missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, through to flying Airbus airliners for British Airway,…

Artyom Liss is a UK qualified general aviation pilot and was host of the fabulous aviation podcast 'Two Thousand Feet'. In this episode we find out what it is like to deliver Piper PA32 Saratoga SP N505WC from the UK to Lithuania, the challenges, adventures, and experiences of this fabulous cross-country flight. Recorded 5th June 2023 Link Tree htt…

Rachel Ramsay is a UK qualified private pilot, with licences to fly helicopters, small planes and motor gliders. Rachel has a fabulous flying and travel blog and we wanted to find out about; multi-licence flying, writing for both a blog and an aviation publication and issues like…. favourite hotel to fly to and what does it take to fly down the Riv…

Graeme Rendall has appeared several times on Xtended to talk about such diverse topics as Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon and the history of RAF Morpeth. On both occasions these episodes proved popular and we teased you with mention of a plane spotting trip Graeme made to Russia in 1992, just six months after the fall of the iron curtain; a trip tha…

Only 54 examples of the iconic and much-adored Vickers VC10 were built, yet it went on to become an innovator and market changer for international long-haul travel. Great British technology and its suitability for multiple roles lead it to have an extended life with the RAF as an airlifter and tanker. In this feature we talk to Jelle Hieminga, an e…

With the UK leading aerospace company Reaction Engines now leading the way in technology application from space rockets to Formula 1 and into today’s market for sustainable flight, we have an exclusive opportunity to speak to Mark Thomas, Reaction Engines Chief Executive Officer, about the company, its products and it’s exciting future innovations.…

Chris Taylor has had a successful career as a Royal Navy officer, helicopter pilot, test pilot, instructor and as an internationally acclaimed civil certification test pilot. His latest book ‘Experimental Test Pilot: Military Aircraft Research Flying’ (published on April 29th 2023) is his account of his ten years’ service as an experimental test pi…

‘Confessions of a Flying Instructor: Teaching the RAF’s Fighter Pilots’ is Tug Wilson’s second book and he joins us to discuss the time in his career teaching new fighter pilots. As always, Tug is great company with Gareth in this sometimes hilarious, and at other times frightening, story of his time as a flight instructor. Tug Wilson grew up in No…

On our Journalist’s Roundtable discussion in Ep.161 (Trust Me I’m an Aviation Journalist), Rich Cooper mentioned the visit to a North Korea Airshow. We wanted to find out more and Rich introduced us to author and photographer, Gerry Manning, who was there. Gerry joins us to share the experience and we talk airliners and fighter jets as well as heli…