Guy Warner – författare

Nutts Corner airfield was conceived and built during the Second World War, constructed for military use before evolving into a new civil airport for Northern Ireland in December 1946.  Written by well-known aviation historians Guy Warner and the late Ernie Cromie, this is the first book to reveal the full story of Nutts Corner. It shares the history of the airfield, involving the RAF, RN and USAAF and many early, long-gone airlines such as BEA, Silver City and BKS. Fully-illustrated, it covers the wide range of aircraft and incidents seen over the years, through military and civil use, and the important impact on local people. This is the fascinating story of the vital and diverse roles played by Nutts Corner during and after the war, opening up Northern Ireland’s economy and laying the foundations for later expansion.

Formed in wartime Belfast in 1941, Queen’s University Air Squadron became a vital link between university life and the Royal Air Force. From its early days at Sydenham, training young men for wartime service, through decades of flying Tiger Moths, Chipmunks and Bulldogs over Northern Ireland, QUAS built a remarkable record of achievement, service and camaraderie.Drawing on official records, photographs, personal memories and contemporary accounts, Guy Warner tells the story of a squadron that was shaped by war, post-war renewal, the coming of jet-age aviation, and the difficult years of the Troubles. Along the way are tales of first solos, summer camps, air displays, visiting dignitaries, sporting triumphs, mishaps, close calls and the everyday humour of squadron life.Richly illustrated and carefully researched, Queen’s University Air Squadron: A History is both an aviation history and a tribute to the generations of students, instructors, ground staff and supporters who made the Squadron what it was. It will appeal to former members, aviation enthusiasts, Queen’s alumni and anyone interested in Northern Ireland’s military and flying heritage.

British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS) is situated in Alberta, amidst the dry, semi-barren, rugged and undulating Canadian prairie, where the Blackfoot, Cree and Sioux tribes once hunted buffalo and engaged in combat. The training area measures 39 miles west to east and 32 miles north to south, with a total area of 1038 square miles. It is slightly larger than Luxembourg and seven times the size of Salisbury Plain. The prime purpose of BATUS is to provide realistic all-arms, battle group manoeuvre training with live firing. Four major `Prairie Storm' exercises are held every year between April and October, involving infantry, armour, artillery, aviation and support arms. Up to 2500-3000 personnel may be on the ground, along with as many as 1200 vehicles of all types from Main Battle Tanks to 4x4s. BATUS was formally established in 1972; making up for the loss of training areas in Libya in 1969. Right from the start it was envisaged that there would be an Army Air Corps element. The original aircraft were replaced by Westland AH1 Gazelles in 1977, they continue in service 40 years later with 29 (BATUS) Flight, which is now part of 5 Regiment Army Air Corps.