• Publication Date: 4 Feb 2021
• ISBN: 9781472848512
• Format: Paperback
• Number of Pages: A whopping 288!
• Reprint 2 Dec 2022

The RAF's continuing role in the projection of air power in the defence of the United Kingdom and its overseas interests since the end of the Second World War is well known. However, the same cannot always be said about the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm (FAA), in part due to the ten-year gap between the retirement of the Harrier and the arrival of the F-35B and the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers. Flying high performance aircraft off a carrier demands not only a high level of skill, but also a considerable amount of courage and determination, not least to land back on a very small piece of real estate bobbing about in a rough sea, often at night, with no possibility of diversion. The nature of these operations has meant that the accident rate and aircrew losses were very high - and accepted as part of the job. With the arrival of the Queen Elizabeth and the Prince of Wales, it is time to redress the balance and bring the FAA's extraordinary story to the audience it so richly deserves through the words of those air and ground crews who have been part of it since 1945. What emerges is an amazing close-knit esprit de corps, often accompanied by a long-standing and still simmering rivalry between the RAF and the Royal Navy over who should project air power overseas. Enormous respect is shown by the aviators and ships' senior officers for the aircraft handlers and maintainers, who work long hours in a highly dangerous environment on the flight deck. This first volume looks chronologically at every aircraft type flown in an air defence role since 1945. Involvement in conflicts including Korea, Suez, the Falklands, Bosnia and elsewhere is included, and perforce the cost in human lives, even in everyday operations, frequently emerges. Balancing this are the everyday grind, the good times, the humour, the 'runs ashore' and the sense of pride in a job well done. All delivered in the words of the men themselves.

We also have a number of copies of Volume 1 signed by FAA Aircrew and Engineers.

Lt Cdr Paul Chaplin - Pilot - Sea Vixen and Phantom
Lt Adrian Tuite - Observer - Gannet, Sea Vixen and Phantom
Lt Kim Sharman - Pilot - Sea Vixen
Cdr Tim Gedge AFC- Pilot - Sea Vixen, Phantom, Sea Harrier
Cdre Duncan Reid MBE FRaeS BA RN - Air Engineering Officer, Task Force Chief                                                                                                                  Aircraft Engineer

About the author

Steve Bond has spent nearly 50 years in aviation. He served in the RAF as an aircraft propulsion technician and was part of the Eurofighter Typhoon project team. He later joined City University London where he developed and ran the world’s first MSc Air Safety Management (ASM) programme, lecturing on the subject all over the world. He has a PhD in ASM, is a chartered engineer, and a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Now a full-time author he was recently elected Freeman of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots in recognition of his contribution to aviation.

Hardback
ISBN: 9781911621980
Publisher: Grub Street Publishing

N.B. Only sales here contribute to keeping heritage aircraft flying

Buccaneer Boys 2: More True Tales by Those Who Flew the 'Last All-British Bomber' - Hardback

Following the critically acclaimed publication eight years ago of Buccaneer Boys, long-serving Buccaneer navigator Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork has now followed up the great success of the book with more true tales from those who flew the last all-British bomber. Thirty 'Buccaneer Boys', drawn from the Fleet Air Arm, the Royal Air Force and the South African Air Force, outline their experiences in the maritime role, operations overland, including the first Gulf War, and operations by the South Africans in the Border Wars. In addition to the aircrew, air engineer officers and ground crew have also contributed. The reader is left in no doubt that the 'Buccaneer Boys' knew how to work hard and play hard. The skill, professionalism and excitement of operating and servicing this iconic British aircraft shines throughout every page. This book is lavishly illustrated with 100 black and white photographs and two-colour plate sections of 40 photographs, many never previously published.

Publisher: Grub Street Publishing 
ISBN: 9781911667186
Number of pages: 224
Dimensions: 156 x 234mm
Published: 30 July 2021

Author's biography:

Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork spent 36 years in the RAF, as a navigator. He was director of Air Warfare and, before retiring in 1995, was a director of Military Intelligence at the MoD. Now living in Gloucestershire, Graham is the author of several aviation books, including Buccaneer Boys and Beaufighter Boys (Grub Street). In 2012 Graham received both the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators Award for Aviation Journalism and the Air Power Association Award of the CP Robertson Memorial Trophy for his services to aviation writing. He has written over 600 Air Force obituaries for the Daily Telegraph in the last 16 years.

Fleet Air arm classic aircraft -  View From The Cockpit series is now discontinued ONLY Firebrand left !

An extraordinary collection of facts, illustrations and narrative. Packed with technical detail and commentary from those who flew and maintained these classic aircraft. A must for aircraft enthusiasts.

Paperback.

The Channel Dash is famous for the extraordinary bravery shown by Swordfish Crews as they attempted to sink elements of the German Fleet as they sped up the channel.

This commemorative image captures the frantic efforts of aircraft and ships against overwhelming odds.

The German Admiral, Otto Ciliax, who viewed the attack from the bridge of the Scharnhorst, observed that the “handful of ancient planes” had been “piloted by men whose bravery surpasses any other action by either side that day”.

The artist, RJ Mitchell, was a young 18 year old telegraphist serving on MTB 48 during the Channel Dash and is shown standing on the deck to starboard of the bridge with a rifle.

(600mm x 480mm)

 ...True Tales From Royal Navy Men and Women Air and Ground Crew

Helicopters have been going to sea with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm for over 70 years. Initially used for search and rescue (SAR) duties from aircraft carriers, the rapid development of both the helicopters and service experience resulted in them taking on the vital anti-submarine (and later anti-ship) attack roles.

The 1956 Suez campaign saw the first operational use of Whirlwind helicopters for the insertion of troops by air into a battle zone, a capability which was expanded with more helicopters such as the Wessex, Sea King and today’s Merlin. Through their vital role in the 1960s Indonesian Confrontation, the Commando helicopter force became universally referred to as the ‘Junglies’, by which name they are still known today.

It is often said that if either of the 1982 Task Force aircraft carriers had been lost the Falklands War could not have been won. The same would surely have been true without helicopters. Their vital tasks, including inserting Special Forces behind enemy lines, protecting the Task Force from Exocet missile attack and recovering wounded troops whilst under enemy fire, are rightly hailed as being instrumental.  At home, the essential SAR effort by both the Royal Navy and their RAF counterparts has resulted in incredible stories of saving lives against the odds.

Royal Navy destroyers and frigates have also long since benefitted from having their own helicopter Flight aboard. Frequently operating in extremes of weather, flying a Wasp, Lynx or today’s Wildcat from and back to a heaving deck is every bit as risky as flying fixed-wing aircraft off the carriers of old using the cat and trap system.

Once dismissed as a novelty, the helicopter has more than proved itself. Indeed, for ten years until the arrival of the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, the Fleet Air Arm’s operational force was entirely rotary-wing. Today’s Merlins and Wildcats, with their dedicated aircrew, maintenance and support staff continue to demonstrate just how vital an asset the helicopter has become.

Here are the words of the men and women themselves, skilfully brought to life by Steve Bond and profusely illustrated in colour and b/w.

About the author:

Steve Bond has spent nearly 50 years in aviation. He served in the RAF as an aircraft propulsion technician and was part of the Eurofighter Typhoon project team. He later joined City University London where he developed and ran the world’s first MSc Air Safety Management (ASM) programme, lecturing on the subject all over the world. He has a PhD in ASM, is a chartered engineer, and a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Now a full-time author he was recently elected Freeman of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots in recognition of his contribution to aviation.

Hardback
ISBN: 9781911667278
Publisher: Grub Street Publishing

N.B. Only sales here contribute to keeping heritage aircraft flying

Volume One: Cold War Through The Falklands 1969-1990

Volume Two: New Threats, New Technology, New Tactics, 1990 - 2010

In Harrier Boys, Volume One: Cold War Through the Falklands 1969-1990, Bob Marston, who flew Harriers for many years, draws together accounts from others who worked with this unique jet through its history. The excitement, camaraderie and pride of Harrier operators shine through in the personal stories of those whose lives were changed by their experience of this iconic aircraft, both on land and at sea. In this first volume, events of the Cold War years are brought to life by contributors including Graham Williams, who flew the Transatlantic Air Race, Peter Dodworth, a member of the original Harrier Conversion Team, Peter Harris, a participant in the early defence of Belize, Sir Peter Squire, OC 1 (F) Squadron during the Falklands conflict, and Australian Dave Baddams, who commanded the Royal Navy Sea Harriers of 800 Squadron.

In the second volume of Harrier Boys, as with the first, the history of this remarkable aircraft in service with UK armed forces is illustrated through personal reminiscences of the people who worked with it. The book begins with explanations of the mature concept of operations with the Harrier GR3 in the Cold War. It then progresses through the evolution of Harrier II, starting with the GR5, and updates to the Sea Harrier, while the potential battles to be fought necessitated ever-changing tactics and technology. The new Harriers used digital developments for airframe, engine and weapons control. Conflicts in Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan saw ground-attack missions move towards the delivery of smart weapons from medium level, rather than the dumb bombs and low level of the Cold War era meaning that the Harrier had once more to demonstrate its legendary versatility. The introduction of the Sea Harrier FA2, with its beyond visual range air-to-air missiles and improved radar, gave much improved air defence. The UK Harrier story ends with the closer integration of the RN and RAF forces, before the aircraft's all-too-early retirement in 2010, possibly decades before other countries forsake this unique capability.

The artist is David Gibbings MBE. Founder member of the Guild of Aviation Artists and Senior Engineer on numerous projects at Westlands including the Lynx World Speed Record.

This exceptional picture commemorates the event when, on the evening of August 11th 1986, a Westland Lynx helicopter flew at 400.87 kph (249.1mph) over a 15km course at Sedgemoor, near Glastonbury, Somerset, breaking the existing world speed for any helicopter.

A record it still holds in its class.

Signed by

Limited Edition of 850

Essentially a development of the Avro Lancaster via the later Lincoln, the Avro Shackleton was the RAF’s first line of defence in the maritime role from 1951 for twenty years, thereafter continuing to serve as an airborne early warning aircraft for another twenty, until 1991. The ‘Old Grey Lady’, the ‘Growler’, ‘20,000 rivets in loose formation’, but mostly known simply as the ‘Shack’, it is viewed with great affection by those who flew and maintained it. In addition to its traditional sub-hunting role, it was also used extensively for search and rescue operations, and even as a conventional bomber in the Aden theatre. Operating around the world with squadrons based in the UK, the Mediterranean, Middle East and Far East, ‘Shacks’ were also used to support the blockade of oil supplies to Rhodesia during the UDI crisis in the ’60s and ’70s, and searching for gun-running boats during the Indonesian Confrontation.

All of the Boys’ stories are from air and ground crew veterans.

Volume One:

Covers UK-based units flying from Ballykelly (including Aldergrove), Farnborough, Honington, Kinloss, Lossiemouth, St Eval and St Mawgan, plus many overseas detachments including Christmas Island and Majunga. To complement the detailed personal accounts and anecdotes are hundreds of original photographs and extensive appendices. A feast for any ‘Shack’ or military aviation aficionado.

Format: Hardback

Extent: 256 pages
Dimensions: 234 x 156 mm
ISBN: 9781911621126. 
Publication Date: 28 September 2018

Volume 2: 

Steve Bond has garnered another exceptional group of Shack operators who delight in giving the reader their tales of derring-do. Another one for the Boys’ kitbag!

Volume Two covers those units based overseas at Changi, Gan, Gibraltar, Khormaksar, Luqa (and Hal Far), and Sharjah, plus the South African Air Force operations from Ysterplaat/Malan.

HMS Hermes, the flagship of the Falkland War 1982. This is my personal account of my own experience throughout this campaign from leaving Portsmouth Royal Naval Dockyard in April 1982  to the triumphant return and magnificent welcome home in July 1982.

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

The Air War in the Falklands was another classic example of the importance of aerial superiority. How was that achieved? The numbers, the weapons, the equipment, the tactics and the people are all looked at in detail in this authoratitive book.

Paperback.

Written by the man whose torpedo attack assisted in the sinking of the Bismarck. The story of a young pilot facing the gritty reality of war in the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Indian Ocean. Not so much a ripping yarn as a sobering narrative. A fascinating insight.

Paperback.

The artist is David Gibbings MBE. Founder member of the Guild of Aviation Artists and Senior Engineer on numerous projects at Westlands including the Lynx World Speed Record.

Sea King helicopters over Falkland Sound, May. 1982.

A tribute to the part played by Yeovil in the Falklands Crisis. Nearly 200 Westland Helicopters supported the Task Force, without them success would have been unlikely.

The artist, David Gibbings MBE concluded his illustrious career as Chief Flight Test Engineer at Westlands in 1993.

In 1941, as the Battle of the Atlantic raged and ship losses mounted, the British Admiralty desperately tried to find ways to defeat the U-Boat threat to Britain's maritime lifeline. Facing a shortage of traditional aircraft carriers and shore-based aircraft, the Royal Navy, as a stopgap measure, converted merchant ships into small `escort carriers'. These were later joined by a growing number of American-built escort carriers, sent as part of the Lend-Lease agreement. The typical Escort Carrier was small, slow and vulnerable, but it could carry about 18 aircraft, which gave the convoys a real chance to detect and sink dangerous U-Boats. Collectively, their contribution to an Allied victory was immense, particularly in the long and gruelling campaigns fought in the Atlantic and Arctic. Illustrated throughout with detailed full-colour artwork and contemporary photographs, this fascinating study explores in detail how these adaptable ships had such an enormous impact on the outcome of World War II's European Theatre.

Battle of the Atlantic 1939-41: RAF Coastal Command's Hardest Fight Against the U-Boats - At the start of World War II, few thought the U-boat would be as devastating as it proved to be. But convoys and sonar-equipped escorts proved inadequate to defend the Allies' merchantmen, and the RAF's only offensive weapon was the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft. For RAF Coastal Command, the first two years of the war were the hardest. Although starved of resources, operating with outdated aircraft and often useless weaponry, they were still the only force that could take the fight to the U-boats.

This is the David-and-Goliath story of how RAF Coastal Command battled with outdated aircraft against the deadly U-boat fleet during the crucial first years of World War II.

Battle of the Atlantic 1942-45: The Climax of WW II'S Greatest Naval Campaign - As 1942 opened, both Nazi Germany and the Allies were ready for the climactic battles of the Atlantic to begin. Germany had 91 operational U-boats, and over 150 in training or trials. Production for 1942-44 was planned to exceed 200 boats annually. Karl Dönitz, running the Kriegsmarine's U-boat arm, would finally have the numbers needed to run the tonnage war he wanted against the Allies. 

This second of these two volumes, explores the climactic events of the Battle of the Atlantic, and reveals how air power, both maritime patrol aircraft and carrier aircraft ultimately proved to be the Allies' most important weapon in one of the most bitterly fought naval campaigns of World War II.

'January 1972: the tiny outpost of British Honduras is threatened with imminent invasion by battle hardened, US trained Guatemalan paratroops. Britain's response must be immediate and decisive. But there is only one deterrent that the government can offer: HMS Ark Royal, once the Navy's most powerful warship, now a white elephant on the verge of being scrapped.'

'Drawing on extensive first-hand accounts and previously unseen, classified documents, Rowland White has pieced together one of the most audacious and thrilling missions of British military history'.

'Combine pulse-pounding tension with riveting detail. If only all military history was written like this' - Andy McNab.

Paperback.

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.

Having wanted to be a pilot for as long as he could remember, Chris Taylor gained his private pilot’s license at the age of 17. He joined the Royal Navy whilst studying for a degree in Electrical Engineering and, after serving as a Navigation Officer on numerous ships, went on to operate Wasp and Lynx helicopters.

After five years instructing, he became a test pilot and flew all manner of experimental aircraft for research and development purposes before returning to the Empire Test Pilot’s School as a tutor. Having served at Boscombe Down for ten years he joined the UK Civil Aviation Authority as an aeroplane and rotorcraft test pilot. With the closure of the CAA’s Flight Test Department, he formed Dovetail Aviation Ltd and has continued to test fly a wide variety of aircraft ever since.

Chris has flown 400 different kinds of aircraft, is a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and is a licensed Category 1 Test Pilot and Flight Test Instructor for both aeroplanes and helicopters, which arguably makes him one of the best qualified and most widely experienced test pilots working today.

Review:

Well, what an excellent read!

Chris Taylor has that rare gift – the ability to write engagingly and in detail about a subject that is alien to most people and yet he invites them warmly onto a comfortable sofa within this unfamiliar world.

A book written about test flying by a test pilot? Surely only a pilot would understand? I’m not a pilot and that was my (soon to be confounded) expectation. This is an excellent book and it takes the reader through a career that has more variety than Heinz and which required more lives than a lucky cat.

Even the hairiest of experiences is described in a reassuringly down to earth manner that brings the reader fully into the experience. There are technical details that will fascinate the flying community and yet not baffle or bore those whose only flying experience is sitting in a commercial airliner. By the end of the book it wouldn’t be hard to convince yourself that you could fly any of a number of aircraft.

This book isn’t just a series of tales about flying and close escapes. It’s also about a man who clearly has an instinctive grasp of how the physics of flying works that is beyond mere training. It’s about that tight community of airmen, test pilots or not, who quietly share a mutual understanding of the risks and pleasures of aviation. It’s about the relationship between those who fly and those who make things fly – that intimate interplay between aircrew and engineers. Above all it’s about the pioneering spirit that must reside in every test pilot who pushes the envelope whenever they get into an untried aircraft.

Inevitably in a world where gravity leads to the final frontier, there are emotional highs and lows, but they only add to the richness of this book.

Whether you are a pilot or not, this is a terrific read. Leave yourself some time when you open it. You probably won’t put it down until the final page.

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.

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 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.

The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest and most complex campaign of WWII. Fairey Swordfish, launched from Escort carriers and MAC ships, played a huge part in winning that war. These wonderful aircraft, so well suited to the task, flew in all weathers and proved to be a superb deterrent to the German U boats, reducing allied ship losses to a minimum.

This limited edition print (250) shows Swordfish LS326 setting out on yet another cold patrol and has original signatures of veteran aircrew including those who flew in the Atlantic and one survivor of the Battle of Taranto. 

It's a stunning image that will enhance any home and is an opportunity to own a piece of history. It is also a fitting tribute to the bravery of the pilot's and crew.

Supplied with certificate of authenticity.

MAC Ship Pilot – Stanley Brand

Swordfish pilot Sub Lt Stanley Brand joined 836 NAS and served on MAC ships Alexia and Empire MacColl. He is the author of Achtung! Swordfish! (and also pranged W5856 – another Swordfish in the Navy Wings Heritage flight!).

 MAC Ship Observer – John Treble

Lt John Treble served in 826 NAS operating from Malta and North Africa before joining 836 NAS and serving aboard MAC ships Acavus, Empire McAndrew and Empire Mackay.

 MAC Ship telegraphist air gunner – John McFarling

PO (Air) John McFarling served in 833 NAS and 836 NAS on the MAC Ships Miralda, MacAndrew and Rapana before moving o 758 NAS

 MAC Ship Air Staff Officer – John Neale

Lt Cdr John Neale was awarded his DSC for his part in the attack on Taranto in 1940 while flying with 815 NAS. He then served with 823 NAS on the Malta run with HMS Furious and then 841 NAS where he earned a DFC for operations in the Channel.

Artist – Terrence Lee

Terrence Lee is a highly regarded artist who specialises in marine subjects and worked for a period at RNAS Yeovilton

 MV Rapana.

Rapana was launched in April 1935 and was converted to Merchant Aircraft Carrier (MAC ship) in July 1943.

She displaced only 8000 tons (or 16,000 with a deep load). Almost 483 feet in length, she had a maximum beam of just 62 feet. She was equipped with a single 4inch QF (quick fire) gun, two single 40mm Bofors and six 20mm Oerlikons. She carried 3 Swordfish which were parked on deck as there was no hangar. She was reconverted to a mercantile tanker in 1945, renamed Rotula in 1950 and scrapped in Hong Kong in 1958.

Fairey Swordfish LS326

LS326 is one of the last two flying Fairey Swordfish aircraft in the world and is part of the Navy Wings Heritage Flight. Built by Blackburn in Sherburn in Elmet, she was delivered to the RN in 1943. She saw service in L Flight 836 NAS in MV Rapana between September and November 1943 and later in 836K Flight in MV Empire MacCallum during 1944. In 1959 she was used in the film ‘Sink the Bismarck!’.

Approx 59cm X 42cm

N.B. This item is supplied only as a print. The image with the frame is for illustration purposes only. 

Perhaps contrary to popular belief, the Royal Naval Air Service played a considerable part in actions on the Western front and were ahead of their RFC counterparts in the use of the Sopwith Pup, Triplane and Camel. This book contains a wealth of information and illustrations about the men and the planes that made a mark in the conflict.

Part 2 A fascinating insight into the Naval pilot aces and their aircraft from both sides of the conflict. Unusually, this was a period when flying boats and seaplanes were often in the thick of the action, so this book delves down paths that are not well trodden.

Paperback.