Xtended

XTP Media

Aerospace Radio

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20 episodes
Updated July 14

Episodes20

Newest first

July 14 · 1 hr 4 min
Ep.228 - Jonathan McNee BEM and Aviation Archaeology
Jonathan “Jonny” McNee BEM is an aviation historian and military aviation archaeologist from Northern Ireland whose work has literally brought lost Second World War aircraft (and their stories) back into the light. Drawing on years of research and licensed excavations, he has helped uncover wartime aircraft that came down over Northern Ireland and along the Irish border. His aviation work is voluntary and fits around a demanding day job as a Senior Marine Officer. In this episode, we talk with Jonny about what aviationarchaeology looks like. He explains how licensed digs are planned and carried out, the care that must go into preserving recovered artefacts to museum standards. We explore some of his best‑known projects, including the “Donegal” and “Monaghan” Spitfires and his work on a Coastal Command Bristol Beaufort. We also talk about the Fairey Barracuda DP872 restoration in the Fleet Air Arm Museum and Jonny’s role in the project and how this whole aviation circle is always connected amongst us all (somehow)! Contact Us: GetInvolved@aviation-Xtended.co.uk Please leave us a review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your podcast playing app. Aviation Xtended Partners · Royal Aeronautical Society · Global Aviation Resource · XTPMedia · Ellie Carter Show Supporters · TheAviation Historian http://www.theaviationhistorian.com/ · AviationEnthusiasts Book Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/359410134220076 · Aircrew Book Review https://aircrewbookreview.blogspot.com/ Xtended Podcast family · AeroSociety https://www.aerosociety.com/events/catch-up-on-events/video-audio-archive/ · Airplane Geeks http://www.airplanegeeks.com/ · PCDU https://www.planecrazydownunder.com/ · Wings Over New Zealand Show http://cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZ_Show.html You can shop through this Amazon link (No cost to you but a small benefit to us: https://www.amazon.co.uk/?tag=xtenaeroradi-21&linkCode=ur1
July 2 · 10 min
Ep.227 – ‘Constant Endeavour - RAF Coastal Command' – The Book
In this episode Pieter steps away from our usual format to introduce Constant Endeavour – RAF Coastal Command, the first ebook and audiobook to emerge from the podcast. He reflects on why the team has been quieter on the main feed, and how turning episodic content into a complete story offers a different way to explore the air war at sea. He also explains how the long-running Coastal Command series developed into a full narrative, drawing on years of conversations with historians, authors, and researchers who followed Coastal Command from the Battle of the Atlantic through the Cold War. This short update shares what the project has meant: keeping Coastal Command stories alive, working with a wide range of contributors and turning detailed research into something people can enjoy listening to. It also includes a 3½‑minute clip from the audiobook introduction, so you can hear the tone and scope of Constant Endeavour and how it grew directly out of Aviation Xtended. The audiobook is completely reengineered and edited to suit an audio book listen The ebook is a standalone read (not a transcript) but a full account of each episode in Pieter’s own words Audio Book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Constant-Endeavour-Operations-Overlooked-Command/dp/B0H51CK479/ E Book LINK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Constant-Endeavour-Operations-Overlooked-Command/dp/B0H51CK479/ _____________________________________________________________ Contact Us: ⁠GetInvolved@aviation-Xtended.co.uk⁠ Xtended Link Tree https://linktr.ee/aviationxtended Contact Xtended: GetInvolved@aviation-Xtended.co.uk Also from XTPMedia – The Partnership Edge Podcast https://xtpmedia.co.uk/podcast/ _____________________________________________________________ Aviation Xtended Partners Royal Aeronautical Society Global Aviation Resource XTPMedia Ellie Carter Show Supporters The Aviation Historian http://www.theaviationhistorian.com/ Aviation Enthusiasts Book Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/359410134220076 Xtended Podcast family AeroSociety https://www.aerosociety.com/events/catch-up-on-events/video-audio-archive/ AirplaneGeeks http://www.airplanegeeks.com/ PCDU https://www.planecrazydownunder.com/ Wings Over New Zealand Show http://cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZ_Show.html You can shop through this Amazon link (No cost to you but a small benefit to us): • https://www.amazon.co.uk/?tag=xtenaeroradi-21&linkCode=ur1
February 16 · 53 min
Ep.226 - Warbirds to Warhorses
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/
February 2 · 1 hr 4 min
Ep.225 - The Invisible Campaign, with Jane Gulliford Lowes
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/
Nov 3, 2025 · 18 min
Ep.224 - Fifty Years of Flying Fun
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
Oct 4, 2025 · 28 min
Ep.223 - Riding Rockets, with astronaut Mike Mullane
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.
Sep 8, 2025 · 29 min
Ep.222 - Flight 540: 'Wake up, it's a crash'
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
May 25, 2025 · 1 hr 20 min
Ep.221 - Eagle Days with Victoria Taylor
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/
May 18, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
Ep.220 - Over Cold War Seas with Mike Napier
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/
Mar 16, 2025 · 55 min
Ep.219 - Aviation furniture with Stu Art
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: GetInvolved@aviation-Xtended.co.uk For show notes and images visit www.aviation-xtended.co.uk
Mar 9, 2025 · 1 hr 18 min
Ep.218 - Scott Bateman: ‘Hercules – First in, Last Out’
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/
Jan 4, 2025 · 1 hr
Ep.217 - Ops Normal: The Army Air Corps 1957-2017
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/
Oct 27, 2024 · 51 min
Ep.216 - Flying Through the Ranks, from Cold War to the Gulf
Air Marshal ‘Black’ Robertson CBE BA FRAeS FRSA flew all the RAF’s front-line fast jets and also qualified as a helicopter pilot. Now retired, he also completed five tours in Whitehall, which he describes as his time as a ‘Whitehall Warrior’. He is a well published author, including ’Fighters in the Blood’, ‘A Spitfire Named Connie’ and ‘From Spitfires to Vampires and Beyond’. Today ‘Black’ joins us to talk about his latest book, ‘Flying through the Ranks: The Extraordinary Experiences of Airmen to Air Marshals from the Cold War to the Gulf’, his own flying experiences and how he discovered the real story behind his father’s World War 2 flying career. You can get a signed copy directly from ‘Black’ through his website. Recorded 24th September 2024
Oct 13, 2024 · 49 min
Ep.215 - Bomber Command OTUs
Garth Barnard joins us to talk about his work cataloguing Bomber Command OTUs during WWII around central England. Aerodromes such as RAF Barford St John, RAF Bicester, RAF Chipping Warden, RAF Croughton, RAF Finmere, RAF Hinton-in-the-Hedges, RAF Silverstone, RAF Turweston and RAF Upper Heyford. Training crews flew aircraft such as the Hampden, Blenheim, Wellington, Mosquito and Boston. Sadly, there were over 400 aircraft losses within a 15-mile radius of Brackley. Recorded 3rd September 2024 For full show notes please visit: https://aviation-xtended.co.uk/
Sep 29, 2024 · 51 min
Ep.214 - Claude Grahame-White
A new biography is being written on Claude Grahame-White. One that this will give more depth to the story behind the man who was a British aviation legend in his time and one who was sadly downtrodden and outcast by the government of the day. Joining us is Alison White who has taken on the task of correcting the historical record and resetting our perception of the man Recorded 7th August 2024 Contact Us: GetInvolved@aviation-Xtended.co.uk For full show notes please visit www.aviation-xtended.co.uk
Sep 22, 2024 · 49 min
Ep.213 - Cold War Coastal Command Chapter 16: Buying a Nimrod
Although we finished the main content of the Cold War Coastal Command series in the last chapter, a story emerged that we just couldn’t resist. Stephen Bridgewater, Deputy Editor for Aerospace Magazine and good friend of the show mentioned that he had in fact purchased an RAF Nimrod directly from the RAF back in 2010. After Steve’s story, Gareth joins the feature as he was there the day XV232 arrived in Coventry. Recorded 29th July 2024 Contact Us: GetInvolved@aviation-Xtended.co.uk For full show notes please visit aviation-xtended.co.uk
Sep 15, 2024 · 48 min
Ep.212 - Cold War Coastal Command Chapter 15: Flying the Nimrod
In our final Chapter of the Cold War Coastal Command series, we are honoured to speak to Air Chief Marshal Sir Brian Burridge, KCB, CBE, ADC, FCMI, FRAeS. Sir Brian takes us not only through flying the Nimrod and Nimrod operations in the Cold War period, but also explains how the Nimrod was used strategically in theatres such as the Falklands War, Operation Telic and the Iraq War, as well as drug running in the Caribbean. This feature is a fitting conclusion to the Cold War Coastal Command series and a real insight to the strategic thinking behind Nimrod operations. Recorded 17th July 2024 Contact Us: GetInvolved@aviation-Xtended.co.uk For full show notes and previous chapters visit https://aviation-xtended.co.uk/
Sep 8, 2024 · 50 min
Ep.211 – Cold War Coastal Command Chapter 14: Nimrod XV250 The Maid of Moray
Nimrod XV250 is based at the Yorkshire Air Museum in Elvington near York. She was dedicated by the Archbishop of York to stand as a permanent tribute to the 14 British servicemen killed in Afghanistan when Nimrod XV230 crashed near Kandahar in September 2006. Her team of volunteers keep her in a ground running condition to remember all Aircrew and Groundcrew who served on "The Kipper Fleet". Ken Bannister joins me today to talk about The Maid of Moray, his RAF career with the Nimrod and to help us better understand the Nimrods capabilities as an Anti-Submarine Warfare, Search and Rescue and surveillance platform. Hear how the crew tracked Soviet ‘Alpha’ Class submarines by listening for the frequency of their fridges! Recorded 10th July 2024 Contact Us: GetInvolved@aviation-Xtended.co.uk XV250 · Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/134129976607085/?locale=en_GB · Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nimrod_xv250/?hl=en-gb · Twitter X https://x.com/nimrodxv250?lang=en · Youtube Video of XV250 Cockpit operation at start up https://youtu.be/DOQ9reOCXT0?si=zhj6ooKRH10lhsqm We are grateful to the Yorkshire Air Museum for the use of this short audio insert Coastal Command Series · EP.210 – COLD WAR COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 13: NIMROD’S GENESIS · EP.209 – COLD WAR COASTAL COMMAND: AVRO SHACKLETON MR2 WR693 · EP.208 – COLD WAR COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 11: THE OLD GREY LADY · EP.207 – COLD WAR COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 10 – THE THREAT · EP.132: COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 9 – RAF THORNEY ISLAND · EP.131: COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 8 – THE FLEET AIR ARM · EP.130: COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 7 – AUSTRALIAN AND ALLIED AIRCREWS · EP.129: COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 6 – THE ADVERSARIES · EP.128: COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 5 – KIWI CREWS · EP.127 – COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 4: STRIKE WINGS · EP.124 – COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 3: BATTLE FOR THE ATLANTIC · EP.123 – COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 2: THE AIRCRAFT · EP.122 – COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 1: ‘CONSTANT ENDEAVOUR (THE OVERVIEW)’ Please leave us a review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your podcast playing app. Here is a link to all the pod players:https://pod.link/1611149544 Aviation Xtended Partners · Royal Aeronautical Society https://www.aerosociety.com/ · GlobalAviation Resource http://www.globalaviationresource.com/v2/ · XTPMedia https://www.xtpmedia.co.uk/ · Ellie Carter https://twitter.com/dragongirl94 Show Supporters · The Aviation Historian http://www.theaviationhistorian.com/ · Aviation Enthusiasts Book Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/359410134220076 · Aircrew Book Review https://aircrewbookreview.blogspot.com/ Xtended Podcast family · AeroSociety https://www.aerosociety.com/events/catch-up-on-events/video-audio-archive/ · Airplane Geeks http://www.airplanegeeks.com/ · PCDU https://www.planecrazydownunder.com/ · Wings Over New Zealand Show http://cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZ_Show.html You can shop through this Amazon link (No cost to you but a small benefit to us: · https://www.amazon.co.uk/?tag=xtenaeroradi-21&linkCode=ur1
Sep 1, 2024 · 38 min
Ep.210 - Cold War Coastal Command Chapter 13: Nimrod's Genesis
The Shackleton replacement now started to become more urgent. For years the Air Staff and Ministries had argued over what type should replace the Shackleton, including variants of the Vulcan, Britannia, VC10 and Trident, before settling for the Nimrod in 1964 We return to Chris Gibson, author of the brilliant book 'Nimrod’s Genesis' to learn how the process unfolded. Recorded 19th June 2024 Contact Us: GetInvolved@aviation-Xtended.co.uk You can buy a copy of 'Nimrod's Genesis' and help both Xtended and local UK Bookshopsthrough this link https://uk.bookshop.org/a/11161/9781902109473 Chris Gibson Nimrod's Genesis: RAF Maritime Patrol Projects and Weapons Since 1945 https://www.crecy.co.uk/nimrod-s-genesis For all episodes of our Costal Command series visit www.aviation-xtended.co.uk
Aug 25, 2024 · 52 min
Ep.209 - Cold War Coastal Command Avro Shakleton MR2 WR693
There is a Shackleton that still ‘Growls’ and this chapter features Shackleton MR2 WR963, currently based at Coventry but with a major project underway to move her to Elvington and the Yorkshire Air Museum. We speak to Richard Woods the driving force behind the project all about the aircraft and how to engineer the airframe when very few original engineers are still with us. Recorded 25th July 2024 Contact Us: GetInvolved@aviation-Xtended.co.uk Shackleton WR693 · Facebook https://www.facebook.com/avro.shackleton/ · GoFundMe Shackleton WR963 move to Yorkshire Air Museum https://www.gofundme.com/f/shackleton-wr963-move-to-yorkshire-air-museum · Yorkshire Air Museum https://yorkshireairmuseum.org/ Costal Command Series · EP.208 – COLD WAR COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 11: THE OLD GREY LADY · EP.207 – COLD WAR COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 10 – THE THREAT · EP.132: COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 9 – RAF THORNEY ISLAND · EP.131: COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 8 – THE FLEET AIR ARM · EP.130: COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 7 – AUSTRALIAN AND ALLIED AIRCREWS · EP.129: COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 6 – THE ADVERSARIES · EP.128: COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 5 – KIWI CREWS · EP.127 – COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 4: STRIKE WINGS · EP.124 – COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 3: BATTLE FOR THE ATLANTIC · EP.123 – COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 2: THE AIRCRAFT · EP.122 – COASTAL COMMAND CHAPTER 1: ‘CONSTANT ENDEAVOUR (THE OVERVIEW)’ Please leave us a review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your podcast playing app. Here is a link to all the pod players https://pod.link/1611149544 Aviation Xtended Partners · Royal Aeronautical Society https://www.aerosociety.com/ · GlobalAviation Resource http://www.globalaviationresource.com/v2/ · XTPMedia https://www.xtpmedia.co.uk/ · Ellie Carter https://twitter.com/dragongirl94 Show Supporters · The Aviation Historian http://www.theaviationhistorian.com/ · Aviation Enthusiasts Book Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/359410134220076 · Aircrew Book Review https://aircrewbookreview.blogspot.com/ Xtended Podcast family · AeroSociety https://www.aerosociety.com/events/catch-up-on-events/video-audio-archive/ · Airplane Geeks http://www.airplanegeeks.com/ · PCDU https://www.planecrazydownunder.com/ · Wings Over New Zealand Show http://cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZ_Show.html You can shop through this Amazon link (No cost to you but a small benefit to us: · https://www.amazon.co.uk/?tag=xtenaeroradi-21&linkCode=ur1