Northern Exposure is the title of a recently published book which is a unique record in film and word of the work of the modern day Royal Air Force in Scotland. A pictorial essay by Berry Vissers and Mark McEwan, this book was born out of many things – friendships, relationships, but most of all, a passion for aviation. Collectively hundreds of hours have been spent during the making of this book, photographing man and machine at all levels, from the beginnings of training for operational deployments, from the aircrew to the engineers, mountain rescue teams and administrative staff.

In a foreword to the book, which is being sold in aid of the RAF Benevolent Fund, Air commodore CA Bairsto, station Commander RAF Leuchars and Air Office Scotland for the Royal Air Force, congratulated the team from Squadron Prints for their splendid job in producing the book. Something for everyone Air Commodore Bairsto writes: ‘Whether a casual observer or a seasoned ‘spotter’, there is something of interest for all in this book. ‘Northern Exposure’ shows the Royal Air Force in Scotland against the exquisite background of the nation’s countryside and waters, backed up by some very illuminating vignettes by our people based here. It gives the sense of the drama of service life between the extraordinary and the mundane.’ Air Commodore Bairsto also highlights the sheer extent of the air power beside the runways and military airstrips across Scotland, where the aircraft are often an instrument of war operating in a breath from the tactical to the strategic, whether in territorial waters or in intervention operations abroad.

The Air Commodore writes that these aircraft also reinforce peace in our daily lives, bringing help to the vulnerable, location to those lost and opportunity to the young. The great expanse of the work of the RAF in Scotland is beautifully captured in the excellent photography of Berry Vissers and Mark McEwan. Proceeds from the book will go to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. Berry Vissers works as an air-to-air photographer and aviation artist in Arbroath. Born in the Netherlands, he worked as an F-16 Crew Chief in the Royal Netherlands Airforce before he moved to Scotland. Mark McEwan is a freelance photographer and writer with a real passion for aviation He grew up in Carnoustie where aircraft were never far from his thoughts.

FIELDFACTS

All profits of the sale of the book will go to the RAF Benevolent Fund! The book is £24.99 with an additional £5 for post and packing within the UK. Gill Howie, Squadron Prints Ltd. PO Box 1977, Arbroath, Angus, Scotland DD11 2WW tel: +44 (0)1241 437555 fax: +44 (0)1241 437666 gill@squadronprints.com www.squadronprints.com To find out more about about giving to the RAF Benevolent Fund, visit www.rafbf.org