Air Vice Marshal (retired) Graham Williams - Cold War RAF Fighter & Fast Jet Test Pilot

This edition of the Top Landing Gear podcast has an appropriately seasonal feel as we approach winter, its theme being the Cold War, which lasted from 1947 until 1991. The Cold War saw the rapid development of aviation beginning with concepts such as new wing designs and powerplants and ending with digitalised avionics and stealth technology. All this to gain the upper hand in the event of a hot war. Our guest was an RAF fast jet pilot during the height of the Cold War, and was also a test pilot, as a result of which he has flown almost every western cold war jet imaginable. He is Air Vice Marshal (retired) Graham Williamson, the most senior person by rank that we’ve ever had on the pod. His is a fascinating story, which he reflects on with great humour here and in his wonderfully entertaining and enlightening book ‘Rhapsody In Blue, An RAF Fighter Pilot’s Life During The Cold War’. Graham tells us the aircraft for which he has most affection is the Harrier, which he was one of the first RAF pilots to fly. In fact along with Sqn Ldr Tom Lecky, he flew the brand new Harrier in the 1969 Daily Mail Air Race, linking us to our previous most recent episodes. Again his story of that adventure needs to be heard to be believed. Another legend of aviation to whom we are enormously grateful for gracing our podcast.  His Autobiography is simply brilliant and available HERE   #aviation #avgeek #coldwar #hawkerharrier #hawkerhunter #aviationpodcast #grahamwilliams #dailymailairrace