From Vulcan Bases to Communist Bucharest: A Tale of Cold War Intrigue

Ron Mackay further recounts his experiences in Romania, a country teetering between Soviet influence and a desire for independence, offering a fascinating glimpse into a time of uncertainty and intrigue.

Among many stories, Ron visits an RAF base in the UK where his brother was a crew member of a Vulcan bomber, Britain’s nuclear deterrent at the time. The RAF quizzes Ron in detail about the locations he has visited in Romania.

Back in Romania Ron navigates the intricacies of its society and shares stories of friendships forged under the watchful eyes of the Securitate, Romania's feared secret police.

Ron describes his interactions with various characters, each with their own motivations and secrets. From a duck shooting party at a Communist Party hunting lodge to a tense encounter with tanks near the Soviet border, Ron's stories are filled with suspense and unexpected twists.

Buy Ron's book here and support CWC https://amzn.to/3Om8kZt

Episode extras here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode378/

Related episodes:

• Hitchhiking behind the 1960s Iron Curtain https://pod.fo/e/2098ae
• A Childhood under the Eye of the Secret Police https://pod.fo/e/a4730
• My life laid bare through secret police files https://pod.fo/e/12e45f
• A Hungarian Childhood in Cold War Romania https://pod.fo/e/1190aa
• Escaping from Cold War Romania https://pod.fo/e/11ad63
• Emanuela - a Cold War Romanian Childhood https://pod.fo/e/f0376
• Reporting the 1989 Romanian Revolution https://pod.fo/e/1ea8c

The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history.

You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.

Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/

If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link.

Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/

• Follow us on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social
• Follow us on Threads https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations
• Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/
• Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations
• Love history? Join Intohistory https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices