Martin Bowman’s considerable experience as a military historian has spanned over forty years, during which time he has spent hundreds of hours interviewing and corresponding with numerous men and women and their relatives, in Britain, America and beyond, resulting in a wealth of material on the war at sea from World War One to the Falklands and the wars on terror.

All these narratives have been woven into a highly readable and emotional outpouring of life and death in action in all his titles, as here, in World War Two, where the men of the Fleet Air Arm and the US Navy fighter (operating bomber and torpedo carrying aircraft) describe the compelling, gripping and thought-provoking narrative of the air war in the freezing Atlantic wastes to the waters of the mighty Pacific.

The Bagger community are rightly proud of their role and service as well as their 'cab', the Sea King that served us so well.

 A quality navy blue T shirt you can wear for many years.

Taken from an original painting by Peter Hogan, this dramatic print shows a Fairey Swordfish MkII patrolling over an Atlantic convoy as it forges its way through a forbidding sea. Another Swordfish is about to fly over a tiny MAC ship. 

A MAC (Merchant Aircraft Carrier) ship was a converted merchant ship and many, as illustrated, didn't have an internal hangar so the technicians and aircraft were constantly exposed to the elements.

This painting clearly illustrates the tiny decks from which the aircraft had to operate - barely wider than the aircraft and very short!

Overall size 59.5cm x 42cm.

Supplied as print only. (Frame shown is purely for illustration purposes.)

Like Achilles, the story of the Bismarck is of a light that shone like the brightest star, but was quickly extinguished. Story of the hunt for Bismarck is fascinating as Britain mustered all available resources to counter the threat to her vital shipping lanes. Well researched and illustrated this book is a great read about a great adventure.

Paperback.

The story of the transformation from what was a severely neglected element of the British armed forces at the beginning of WWII into a fine fighting force with an outstanding and influential operational history. From obsolete equipment and 4 aircraft carriers to state of the art aircraft and 59 aircraft carriers. A wealth of information, photographs and diagrams. Essential reading for anyone with an interest in the Fleet Air Arm.

Paperback.

In August 1944 the British Pacific Fleet did not exist. Six months later it was strong enough to launch air attacks on Japanese territory, and by the end of the war it constituted the most powerful force in the history of the Royal Navy, fighting as professional equals alongside the U.S. Navy. How this was achieved by a nation nearing exhaustion after five years of conflict is a story of epic proportions in which ingenuity, diplomacy, and dogged persistence all played a part. This ground-breaking new work by David Hobbs describes the background, creation, and expansion of the British Pacific Fleet from its first tentative strikes, through operations off the coast of Japan, to its impact on the immediate post-war period. It includes the opinions of U.S. Navy liaison officers attached to the British flagships. A fascinating read.

 Highly recommended.

• Publisher: ‎Seaforth Publishing; First Edition (16 Jun. 2011)
• Language: ‎English
• ISBN: 9781526702838
• Dimensions: ‎15.6 x 23.4 cm
• Paperback

An idea inspired by Winston Churchill in 1912 who was aware of the shortage of Lieutenants to man the burgeoning RN Fleets. The scheme was large both in vision and organisation with many establishments both ashore and afloat and it later expanded to provide training for the navies of Britain's dominions.

The book holds an incredible amount of detail and is something of a snap shot of Britain's Navy and what was expected of it at that time.

Paperback

The Commandos were created by Winston Churchill in 1940 as a 'butcher and bolt' raiding unit to destroy vital targets in German occupied Europe. Recruits for this 'special service' were all volunteers, drawn from the British Army, and later from the Royal Marines and other Allied armies. Commando training was extremely demanding - men had to be physically fit and show initiative, mental toughness and adaptability. The training courses were designed to cultivate these qualities and to simulate real battle experiences, which included the use of live ammunition. Commandos learned a diverse range of skills at dedicated training centres in the remote Scottish Highlands.

This pocket-book draws on authentic training manuals, lecture notes, course literature and other material from the commando schools to give a real insight into this highly specialised fighting unit - demonstrating how commandos were taught to live, fight and move on offensive operations, initially as raiding parties, and later as skilled assault infantry. Sections of the book cover survival and fieldcraft skills; night operations; assaulting obstacles; use of equipment - such as the COPPS canoe for beach reconnaissance and sabotage; and weapons training, including the Thompson submachine gun, the Bren gun, and the famous emblem of the commandos - the Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife.

 Hardback‏: ‎ 128 pages

In 1918 Britain was pre-eminent in the technology and tactics of deploying aircraft at sea. That lead was lost to Japan and the USA during the inter-war years as, subject to the will of the RAF, meagre resources were committed elsewhere. Where we hadn't languished during those wilderness years was in carrier strike doctrine. After regaining control of its flying assets in 1937, the Royal Navy had so much to prepare and so little time. 

A fascinating insight into a service doing the best with the least for almost two decades and yet a service that acquitted itself with distinction from the first day of WWII. Much is seen through the eyes of distinguished pilot Lt WP Lucy DSO RN. 

This is the good, the bad and the ugly of the history of RNAS/RAF/FAA.  Set during a period across two world wars, the book highlights a series of triumphs and tragedies which shape the history of British Naval Aviation.  Adlam presents a highly entertaining and controversial study which is sure to appeal to a wide variety of aviation enthusiasts.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pen & Sword Aviation (24 Sept. 2014)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 16.51 x 2.54 x 24.13 cm

Duke Hawkins books are renowned for their level of detail and fantastic photography. Each book is a comprehensive study of an iconic aircraft packed with detailed information, superb images and knowledgeable commentary about its history and use by air forces around the globe.

Essential reads for any aircraft enthusiast.

'The Royal Navy called them auxiliary carriers. To the crews of endangered merchantmen in the Atlantic and Arctic they were heaven sent protection. To the men who manned them they were Combustible, Vulnerable and Expendable.'

David Wragg reveals the full story of these ships' crucial role and contribution.

 Hardback.

Airframe Album No.19

The Fairey Barracuda contains:

• A wealth of historical and walkaround photographs and detail images of the type including data from flight manuals and spare parts catalogues
• Period detail images & diagrams during production and service use
• Isometric views by Juraj Jankovic of all prototype, production and test airframes
• Concise camouflage and marking notes
• Colour profiles by Richard J. Caruana
• Lists of all Barracuda kits, accessories, decals & masks produced in all scales
• Detailed build of the Special Hobby 1/72nd Barracuda Mk I by Libor Jekl
•  Front cover artwork by Arkadiusz Wrobel
•  At least 128 pages

• Period detail images during production and service use
• Period diagrams and data from flight manuals and spare parts catalogues
• Fully detailed 3D isometric views by Juraj Jankovic of all prototype, production and test airframes
• Full colour profiles by Richard J. Caruana and concise camouflage and marking notes
• Lists of all Firefly kits,  accessories, decals & masks produced in all scales
• Detailed build of the Trumpeter 1/48 Firefly Mk I by Steve Evans
• At least 128 pages in total
• Publisher: ‎ Valiant Wings Publishing (26 May 2022)
• Language: ‎ English
• Paperback: ‎ 128 pages
• ISBN‏: ‎ 9781912932283
• Dimensions: ‎ 29 x 21 x 1 cm

On 3 April 1982 British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher announced that Argentine armed forces had landed on British sovereign territory; had captured the men of Royal Marine detachment NP8901; had run up the Argentine flag; and had declared the islands and their population to be Argentine. An immediate response was required and a task force was rapidly assembled to retake the islands. From this point until the Argentine surrender on 14 June, the British forces fought what was in many ways a 19th-century style colonial campaign at the end of extended supply lines some 8,000 miles from home. This volume will detail the major stages of the land campaign to retake the islands, focusing on the San Carlos landings, the battle for Darwin and Goose Green, and the final battles for Mt Longdon, Tumbledown and Wireless Ridge, the mountains that surrounded the island's capital, Stanley.

Biographical note:

Gregory Fremont-Barnes holds a doctorate in Modern History from the University of Oxford and serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of War Studies at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. A prolific author, his books include Waterloo 1815: The British Army's Day of Destiny and many others on military and naval subjects covering the 18th to the 21st centuries. Holding a particular interest in insurgency and counterinsurgency, his wider work for the UK Ministry of Defence on these subjects regularly takes him to Africa, the Middle East and South America. As an academic advisor, Dr Fremont-Barnes has accompanied many groups of British Army officers and senior NCOs in their visits to numerous battlefields of the Peninsular War, the Waterloo campaign, Normandy and the Falklands.

Format: paperback
Number of pages: 96
ISBN: 9781849086073
Published: 20 May 2012

Airframe Extra No.11: The Falklands War– 2nd April to 14th June 1982 covers the historical aspects of the battles in the air and at sea in and above The Falklands between the 2nd April and 14th June 1982.

This book cover's the historical aspects of the battles in the air and at sea in and above The Falklands between the 2nd April and 14th June 1982.

Details are as follows:
• Historical narrative by Patrick Branly.
• Numerous period images
• Colour profiles by Richard J Caruana
• Specially commissioned kit builds:
- 1/72nd Douglas A-4B/P Skyhawk (Airfix) by Libor Jekl
- 1/72nd Westland Wessex HU.5 (Italeri) by Libor Jekl
- 1/72nd Dassault Mirage IIIEA (Modelsvit) by Libor Jekl
- 1/48th Royal Navy Sea Harrier FRS.1 (Tamiya) by Steve A Evans
- 1/48th IA-58 Pucará (Kinetic) by Steve A Evans
- 1/48th Mirage IIIEBR/IIIEA/IAI M5 Dagger (Kinetic) by Steve A Evans

The Royal Navy saw the potential of taking aircraft to sea just 6 years after man's first controlled powered flight. Ultimately, the aircraft carrier became a game changer in how wars were fought and won and often not just at sea. Dave Morris' fascinating book picks out so many things to illustrate how flying from ships at sea involves, and conquers, a completely different set of challenges to those faced by land based aircraft.. Excellent read.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Amberley Publishing (15 Aug. 2019)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 96 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 9781445689029
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 16.26 x 1.02 x 23.11 cm

For the first time, this book tells the story of how naval air operations evolved into a vital element of the Royal Navy’s ability to fight a three-dimensional war against both the Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe. An integral part of RN, the Fleet Air Arm was not a large organisation, with only 406 pilots and 232 front-line aircraft available for operations in September 1939. Nevertheless, its impact far outweighed its numbers – it was an RN fighter that shot down the first enemy aircraft of the war, and an RN pilot was the first British fighter 'ace' with 5 or more kills. The Fleet Air Arm’s rollcall of achievements in northern waters went on to include the Norwegian Campaign, the crippling of Bismarck, the gallant sortie against Scharnhorst and Gneisenau as they passed through the Channel, air attacks on enemy E-boats in the narrow seas, air cover for the Russian convoys, air attacks that disabled Tirpitz, and strikes and minelaying operations against German shipping in the Norwegian littoral that continued until May 1945. By the end of the war in Europe the FAA had grown to 3243 pilots and 1336 aircraft. This book sets all these varied actions within their proper naval context and both technical and tactical aspects are explained with 'thumb-nail' descriptions of aircraft, their weapons and avionics. Cross reference with the Fleet Air Arm Roll of Honour has been made for the first time to put names to those aircrew killed in action wherever possible as a mark of respect for their determination against enemy forces on, above and below the sea surface which more often than not outnumbered them. The Fleet Air Arm and the War in Europe completes David Hobbs’ much-praised six-volume series chronicling the operational history of British naval aviation from the earliest days to the present.

• Publisher : ‎ Seaforth Publishing 30 Jan. 2022
• Language ‏: ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏: ‎ 440 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏: ‎ 9781526799791

This book uncovers many hidden facts and untold stories of the Fleet Air Arm (FAA), shedding light on its remarkable history, much of which has not been widely published. It offers a concise yet vivid account of how the Royal Navy’s Air Service (RNAS) evolved over the years, shaped by over a century of political manoeuvring and its long-standing rivalry with the Royal Air Force. Even today, the FAA continues to operate in the shadow of the RAF, as seen in the ongoing developments surrounding the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers and the F-35B aircraft they now carry, frequent subjects in the media.

Few know that the last serviceman to die in the Second World War was an FAA pilot, shot down over Japan at the very end of the Pacific conflict. While FAA victories such as Taranto and the Falklands are well known, it may surprise readers to learn that the FAA briefly flew Lancasters in 1946. And in the Gulf War, FAA Westland Lynx helicopters made history by virtually wiping out Iraq’s navy using Sea Skua missiles, the first time seaborne helicopters achieved such a feat.

This book also features the most comprehensive post-1945 timeline of the FAA, a reflection of the decline of Britain’s maritime power over recent decades. Enriching the narrative are personal anecdotes from FAA personnel, highlighting their bravery, dedication, and sacrifice in the line of duty.

 About the author:

Keith Abnett served in the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) from 1961 until 1985, initially as an artificer apprentice reaching the rank of Aircraft Engineering Warrant Officer. He was predominately part of the ‘fixed wing’ element (Sea Vixens, Phantoms and Sea Harriers) maintaining and managing in a variety of engineering capacities. He led the team that maintained the helicopters flown by HRH Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, whilst in the RN. Keith served on five different aircraft carrier types: HMS Ark Royal, Bulwark, Hermes, Illustrious and the mighty ‘Sara’, the USS Saratoga. From a young age and following retirement from the FAA, he has keenly studied both the historical and future developments of the UK’s Naval Air Service.

The Aerospatiale / Westland Gazelle is one of the longest serving and most successful reconnaissance and light attack helicopters. The Gazelle soon made an impression with its high speed, smooth looks and design innovations such as the Fenestron ducted tail rotor and composite main rotor blades. In this readable book, aviation expert David Oliver tells the full story of the development of the Gazelle as well as its various air force, military and naval roles and deployments.

A fun gift and a great way to celebrate our long tradition of Naval Aviation.

Handwash recommended
330ml capacity

The Wildcat has been a popular aircraft type with modellers and has recently been the subject of several new tooling's in all scales, especially in 1/72nd and 1/48th. This latest book will go some way towards unpicking the different variants and detail differences that apply to the type.

This twenty-second book in this much-acclaimed series has 208 pages packed with vital information that no active modeller and Wildcat enthusiast should be without.

The F4F Wildcat contains:

• 55+ pages of technical information
• 45+ pages of walk-around images and technical diagrams
• 25+ pages of camouflage and markings
• 25+ pages of model builds and modelling information
• 200+ photographs including wartime images
• Colour side views by Richard J. Caruana
• 3D isometric views of all variants by Juraj Jankovic
• Specially commissioned extensive full kit builds by Steve A. Evans & Libor Jekl
• Specially commissioned front cover artwork by Jerry Boucher
• Set of 1/48th scale plans

Jack Thomas flew from MAC ships and his log book includes W5856 - one of the Swordfish that is cared for in the Navy Wings hangar. Jack's poetry captures both the excitement and fear of battle and the peace and tranquility of the ordinary, made not so ordinary, by his observation and combat heightened perception.

Also available signed by the author who sadly passed away this year (2017).

Paperback.