The RAF strategic nuclear deterrent forces : their origins, roles and deployment, 1946-1969 : a documentary history / Humphrey Wynn.

Spine title: RAF nuclear deterrent forces.

This massive volume chronicles the years from 1945 until 1969 when the Royal Air Force (RAF) Bomber Command was in charge of Britain{u2019}s deterrence capability. Beginning with the decision to form an independent nuclear force, the book covers, among other topics, the development of atomic bombs and thermonuclear weapons, development of the Valiant, Vulcan, Victor, and Canberra aircraft, the Suez Crisis, the Blue Steel bomb, American Thor missiles in Britain, and the handover of the deterrence capability to the Royal Navy and its submarines. The book has an extensive appendix which includes a detailed chronology of events. The author was on the staff of the Air Historical Branch (RAF) and had full access to official records. This major work was first published as a classified in-house history in 1991.