Valiant Boys

Tony Blackman OBE, MA FRAes obtained an honours degree in Physics at Trinity College Cambridge. He learnt to fly in the RAF, trained as a test pilot, and then joined A V Roe to become chief test pilot. As an expert in aviation electronics he was subsequently invited by Smiths Industries to join their Aerospace Board, initially as technical operations director. On leaving Smiths he joined the board of the UK Civil Aviation Authority. He is a fellow of the American Society of Experimental Test Pilots, a fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation and a liveryman of the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators. Squadron Leader Anthony Wright BA joined the RAF in 1960. After navigator training he entered the V Force as a navigator radar flying Valiants and then Vulcans. After a tour in Singapore and completion of the Staff Navigation Course he was posted to Cranwell. He returned to Vulcans as an instructor, followed by wing weapons and then radar leader on 50 Squadron. After an appointment at MOD he became OC Training Squadron at RAFASUPU thus completing his RAF career. Finally, he served at HQ Air Cadets before retiring in 2003. He lives, with his wife Rosemary, in Rutland.