In this episode of Aviation Xtended, host Pieter Johnson is joined by Bob Davy and Keith Wilson, authors of 'Warbirds to Workhorses'.Together, they explore aviation beyond the headlines, following the journey of the book from iconic warbirds to the quieter, often overlooked aircraft that shape everyday flying. The conversation looks at judgement, workload, and the human realities of operating and photographing aircraft across very different eras.Rather than chasing heroics, Bob and Keith reflect on what these aeroplanes really teach you once the romance fades and why honest storytelling matters in aviation today.For full notes and links please visit:https://aviation-xtended.co.uk/

The Xtended team welcomes back historian and author Jane Gulliford Lowes to discuss her latest book, The Invisible Campaign: Bomber Command Gardening Operations 1940–1945, with host Pieter Johnson. Drawing on Air Ministry and Admiralty archives, squadron records and veteran testimony, Jane reveals how RAF Bomber Command’s aerial minelaying campaign (codenamed“gardening”) quietly sank or damaged hundreds of Axis ships and in fact destroyed more tonnage of enemy shipping than direct air attack. Yet it remains one of the least understood aspects of the air war.​In this episode, Pieter and Jane explore why mining operations were developed from 1940 onwards, how Bomber Command integrated them into its wider strategy, and the evolving technology, aircraft and tactics used to plant“vegetables” from Hampden, Wellington, Stirling, Manchester, Lancaster and Halifax, in some of the most heavily defended waters in Europe. They look at the human experience of low‑level, night‑time sorties over ports, estuaries and sea lanes from Norway tothe Bay of Biscay and deep into the Baltic, the real risk and loss rates behind the so‑called “milk run”, and why manyskilled specialist crews received little recognition during or after the war.Jane also reassesses Arthur Harris’s view of minelaying, thesometimes tense relationship between Bomber Command and Coastal Command over anti‑shipping roles, and what this “invisible” campaign tells us about how we remember Bomber Command’s legacy today.If you are interested in RAF history, maritime warfare or under‑told stories of the Second World War in the air, this conversation will change how you think about Bomber Command and the power of aerial mining.For full show notes, links and images, please visit:https://aviation-xtended.co.uk/

We talk to Rod Dean about ‘Fifty Years of Flying Fun’ which covers his half-century career in the air, from joining the RAF in 1962 to his work as a general aviation and airshow pilot. Over his career Rod logged more than 7,000 hours on 59 different types of aircraft, including military jets like the Hunter and Jaguar, as well as vintage planes such as the Spitfire. This is a fascinating reflection from flying fast jets through to warbirds.For full show notes visits www.aviation-xtended.co.uk

Colonel Mike Mullane flew three Space Shuttle missions as a Mission Specialist and is a retired US Air Force weapon systems operator, flying 134 combat missions in Vietnam. He wrote the award-winning children's book Liftoff and the outrageously amusing and often times tragic “Riding Rockets”. He is a speaker on leadership, teamwork, and safety. He uses his experiences to explain the "normalisation of deviance," the tendency to take shortcuts and accept lower standards under pressure. Listen to Gareth’s interview with Mike, on the best and sadly some of the tragic elements of being a Space Shuttle astronaut.

This is a moving interview with Earl Moorhouse, crash survivor and author.‘Wake Up, It’s A Crash – The Survivors’ Stories’ is his account of the world’s first Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet disaster, in November 1974.For full show notes, visit:www.xtended.co.uk

In this episode, Tim talks to Award-winning aviation historian Victoria Taylor about her new book ‘Eagle Days: Life and Death for the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain’. Recorded 9th April 2025 For full show notes and imagery please visit https://aviation-xtended.co.uk/

In this episode we have Mike Napier back to talk about his latest book ‘Over Cold War Seas - NATO and Soviet Naval Aviation, 1949–89’ - a fascinating review of Cold War naval aviation. Mike shares his approach to the topic, explains the evolution of naval technology and how the conflicting cold war scenario’s lead to new evolving aviation developments.And, of course there are aircraft galore. Some new, some well known and some not so well known or successful! predominantly in the northern hemisphere.Recorded 8th May 2025 Buy a copy from the Xtended Bookshop andsupport the podcast and a donation to local book shops in the UK https://uk.bookshop.org/a/11161/9781472865526 For photos and full show notes please visit:https://aviation-xtended.co.uk/

In this episode, we look at how aviation and aerospace items are converted to art and furniture pieces, and we welcome Stuart Abbot, the founder of Stu Art Furniture. Stuart trained as an Airframe Engineer in the RAF working on the Tornado F3. After leaving the RAF he continued as an airframe engineer with several international airlines and started Stu Art Furniture in 2012. His products are all hand-made and original and more affordable than some recent market entrants copying the model.  His pieces are shipped all around the world and Stuart has appeared on TV multiple times, showcasing his pieces from airliner wheel coffee tables to jet fighter tail fin desks.Recorded 10th March 2025 Contact Us: [email protected] For show notes and images visit www.aviation-xtended.co.uk

First flying in 1954, some 71 years ago, the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules has become a iconic aviation legend. Beginning as a military transport, it has evolved into otherroles, including gunship, weather research, special operations, firefighting and more – and it is still in production today. We talk to former RAF C-130 pilot Scott Bateman about ‘Hercules – First in, Last Out’ and the men and womenof the tightly knit Herc Force and its incredible history.   Scott Bateman MBE is an aviation professional, TV producer/presenter and ex-RAF Loadmaster and C-130 captain with 47 Sqn. Hercules will be out in paperback in May, while his next book is 'Jumbo', which will be published in February 2026.You can get a copy of Hercules - First In Last Out directly from the Xtended Bookshop here https://uk.bookshop.org/a/11161/9780241655580  Recorded 4th March 2025 For full show notes and images visit https://aviation-xtended.co.uk/

Since its formation in 1957 the Army Air Corps has played a prominent role in almost every British Army operation. We get to talk to the authors of ‘Ops Normal Volume 1, The Authorised Operational History of the Army Air Corps, 1957-2017’ and they take us through the evolution of the Corps, how it was founded and its theatres of operations during this time. Mike Peters is a former Army Air Corps soldier and officer, serving both as Groundcrew and as an Air Door Gunner. During his 34 years in the Corps, he served in Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Germany, Bosnia, Kosovo, both Gulf Wars, and Afghanistan. John Greenacre is a former Army Air Corps officer and Gazelle pilot with over 23 years of service. He took part in operations in the Gulf, Balkans and Northern Ireland and served in Germany, Canada, the Falkland Islands and Kenya. You can get a copy of Ops Normal directly from the Xtended Bookshop here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/11161/9781804515341 Recorded 3rd January 2025 For full show notes please visit: https://aviation-xtended.co.uk/