Tony Blackman - NIMROD RISE AND FALL

Writing this book has given me great pleasure as it has provided the opportunity for contacting many interesting people and recording their stories. In addition lots of people have got in touch with me on hearing that I was writing this book. However first and foremost this book could not have been written without the help given to me by Justin Morris. He has worked tirelessly, telling me where to look for information, writing personal accounts and putting me in touch with scores of retired Nimrod aircrew. It was a delight to work with him and I consider myself very fortunate. Incidentally, it only happened because David Gordon of Knock News put an advert in the paper and Justin contacted me.

It is impossible for me to list all the many people who have helped me with anecdotes, details and, sometimes, just encouragement. However, some deserve special mention: Ian Marshall who sent me verbatim accounts of his flying as did Andy Collins, Terry Earl, Jim Lawrence, Joe Kennedy, Wils Metcalfe, Colin Pomeroy, Roxy Roxborough, and Paul Warrener. I have also been greatly helped by Brian Cushion, David Emmerson, Ian Hampton, Chris Herbert, Sir Win Harris, Al Mackie, Sir Charles Masefield, Garry Porter, Robbie Robinson, Peter Rosie, Bill Speight, Drew Steel, Doug Torrance and John Turner, to name but a few! I must apologise for not listing everyone with whom I have been in contact, but I am so very grateful for all the help I have received.

As mentioned in the Introduction there is an enormous amount of information on the web but I would like to acknowledge in particular that I constructed nearly all the maps using Google Earth with some help from www.gcmap.com for distances. I also used some details from Aeroflight and Target Lock.

With regard to photos, the majority of which have come from retired Nimrod crew, I have tried to acknowledge copyright where it is known but inevitably there will be some omissions. Indeed it is probable that a few photos could be crown copyright but I have found it impossible to ascertain which ones and I can only apologise if I have inadvertently used those pictures without acknowledgement. As usual the Avro Heritage Centre (AHC) have helped me, this time by supplying some pictures of early Nimrods.

I would like to thank my publisher for all the support he has given me, with his suggestions and superb editing. Furthermore he has managed to turn my manuscript into hard copy in record time which is very much appreciated.

And finally, last but definitely not least, thanks to my wife, Margaret, who has supported me, given me lots of ideas and encouragement and edited the chapters again and again. Inevitably there will be some errors for which I can only apologise and take full responsibility.