Sonic to Stand Off – The Evolution of the British Nuclear Deterrent

The story of an extraordinary project making Britain a superpower. Chronicling part of the development of the British Nuclear Defence Programme, Sonic to Standoff traces the evolution of the British Blue Steel standoff nuclear bomb. Included are the test phases in Australia and the work of Lord Penney.

It covers the work of Tube Alloys and brings to light more information on the special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States. Shows how the system was based on German technology, commences with the giant Paris Gun and then starts from Germany in 1919 with gliding and the German flying school in Russia, the inventors Lippisch, von Braun and Dornberger and the HWK rocket, the Me163 and its rocket motor in the Vickers Trans-Sonic missile of 1947. Introduces the Royal Air Force and the Victor, Vulcan, Valiant, Sperrin, Canberra and Washington bombers and the Silverplate B-29.

The book gives details of the development of British free-fall nuclear devices (WE177), Blue Steel, Polaris and Thor - not found in recent publications. There are two tables of organisation describing the Order of Battle of the Royal Air Force in 1970 at the height of the Cold War. The book ends on the banks of the River Clyde at Faslane, Scotland.

A new insight into the Royal Air Force in the Cold War. Describes the evolution of the British Nuclear Deterrent in original research. Has the evolution of the German rocket includes the Walther rocket in the ME163 and German missile development.

The details were incorporated into the British nuclear standoff bomb. Commencing at Versailles 1919, then the Germans in Russia at the Lipetsk flying school and at Fili aircraft assembly plant, with Hugo Junkers and Ernst Heinkel. There is clear explanation of German rocket development with details of Enzian and Schmetterling at Rechlin and Peenemunde.

All the inventors are mentioned including the Nazi, von Braun and Willy Ley. Explains the importance of Hitler's visit to Rechlin with Goering. Included are charts of German and Russian developments never before published.

There is the RAE use of the Mosquito to drop the first test missiles. Investigates all the UK early missile testing with the Miles M52 and the Power Jets W2/700 at Aberporth and Woomera. There is also description of the M52 designed with the V1 rocket engine and the Gillette Falcon.

The M.52 design was seen by the americans and influenced the Bell X1. The V Bombers, Victor Vulcan and Valiant described. Included are details of the Atom bomb Lancaster.

The importance of the Canberra and the atomic bomb development explained and not neglected. Brings in the Washington B1 and the Short Sperrin. Never before published photographs of the British Superfortress on Blue Jay and Red Dean and WE177 trials.

Has a listing of all Silverplate/Chickenpox B-29s and the American use of the Maud Report. British Nuclear testing and the work of William George Penney in Operation Hurricane and the British Hydrogen bomb are included. Brings in the Quebec Agreement and the acquisition of Skybolt with Hound Dog and Rascal on the B-52.

Rascal is covered in some detail. Describes the "Special Relationship," between the United Kingdom and the USA. Follows the development of the HWK rocket motor and its use in British airframes culminating in Blue Steel.

Profusely illustrated with pictures never before published. The source documents can be found here:- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/323746748368?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649.