BATTLESPACE BOOK CLUB

22 Jul 08. Major Projects: Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Report
The PAC published (22 Jul 08) a Report on Ministry of Defence: Major Projects Report 2007. The Report is a follow up on the National Audit Office Report of the same title dated 26 Nov 07.
Comment: As has been widely reported, the Report is critical of the way that equipment costs have been ‘reallocated’. The Report is published as HC 433 for £10:00. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 08/30, 28 Jul 08)

18 Jul 08. Resettlement: Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Report. The PAC published (18 Jul 08) a Report on Ministry of Defence: Leaving the Services. The Report considers resettlement policy, the support given to Service leavers in gaining civilian employment and securing accommodation and associated issues.
Comment: The Report is complimentary about the MoD’s handling of ‘full career’ Service leavers, but less so for the care given to those who only serve for a short while. The Report is published as HC 351, for £11:00.

21 Jul 08MoD: Annual Report and Accounts. The Defence Secretary announced (21 Jul 08) the publication of the MoD’s Annual Report and Accounts 2007/08. The Report is in two volumes, HC 850-1 and HC 850-II, costing £51:45. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 08/30, 28 Jul 08)

Jul 08. An RAF Museum publication sheds fresh light on the legendary V Force. ‘V Force – Ready for the unthinkable’ tells the extraordinary story of the most iconic group of post-war aircraft; the Valiant, Victor and Vulcan nuclear group. Above all else, it is these aircraft that kept Britain at the top table of international politics by ensuring that the United Kingdom could deploy its own independent nuclear deterrent. The book, published for the Royal Air Force Museum by Newsdesk Media, features some newly uncovered information on the V Force and traces its history from the early design stages to the end of their service life, including operations in the Falkland Islands. Their importance to the United Kingdom is explained by some of the country’s foremost aviation journalists – experts in weapon systems, aircraft history and RAF military doctrine. The painstaking work to keep examples of these aircraft for the nation at the Royal Air Force Museum is also documented, as are the efforts of those who have striven to return the last airworthy Vulcan to the sky. The publication was launched at the National Cold War Exhibition at the Royal Air Force Museum, Cosford, the only location to have the three V Force aircraft – the Victor, Vulcan and Valiant – on public display together. The publication is exclusively available at the Royal Air Force Museum shops at London and Cosford or online at: www.rafmuseumshop.com . Present at the launch were V Force Veterans: Air Commodore Arthur G Steele AFC (Vulcan, Valiant and Victor Captain);and Flight Lieutenant Donald W Briggs DFC (Vulcan & Victor pilot) and Sqn. Ldr. Vic Pheasant MBE, who, respectively, flew the Valiant and Victor on display at Cosford. The book was edited by aviation writer Simon Michell, former managing editor at Jane’s Information Group who also worked as a business consultant for European defence and aerospace companies. The introduction was written by Robert Owen, the Official Historian of the No. 617 Squadron Aircrew Association, whose research into the Squadron and its operations extends over 40 years. Additional editorial input and assistance was provided by the RAF Museum’s Research Staff.