Originally a pictorial history of the race to get the world's last flying Sea Vixen, XP924, ready for the 2015 flying season, the current editions cover the period up to her 'wheel's up' landing. A comprehensively and lavishly illustrated record of a very special aircraft. 

The moving story of youths turning to young men as they fight a well equipped and determined enemy with outmoded equipment and often in appalling conditions. Perhaps lacking the glamour of flying from the great carriers, those who flew from MAC ships (merchant ships converted to carry aircraft) nonetheless made a huge contribution to winning the Battle of the Atlantic.

Sub Lt Stanley Brand pranged W5856, the world's oldest flying Fairey Swordfish, in 1944 due to an engine failure on take off. We're happy to report that W5856 currently resides in our hangar and is a very popular addition at air displays around the UK.

Paperback.

Written by veteran Fleet Air Arm helicopter pilot Larry Jeram-Croft, these 364 pages tell the story of a very capable, highly respected and much loved naval aircraft. Based primarily on the words of those who flew and maintained it. Essential reading for anyone interested in an aircraft that contributed so much in a wide variety of roles. 

 Hardback.

The story of the FAA in Northern Ireland in war and peace. An interesting social and military history.

Paperback.

Doing justice to the part played by the Royal Navy in WWII was always going to be a tricky task. Drawing on modern scholarship and original sources it retells some familiar sources, but also corrects some myths and fills in some less well-known episodes.

Hardback

What an extraordinary aircraft the Fairey Swordfish turned out to be. Born at the end of the biplane era, this was an aircraft apparently totally unsuited to fight the war in which it became embroiled. Despite being deemed obsolete at the onset of hostilities, it not only outlived aircraft designed to replace it, but it gave sterling service, virtually unchanged, in all theatres throughout the war.

This reliable and manoeuvrable aircraft, much loved by its crews, had it's major honours at Taranto and in the sinking of the Bismarck, but it also played a huge part in the Battle of the Atlantic and with the Arctic convoys as well as campaigns across the globe.

This is the story of the marathon 26 month restoration of the world's oldest flying Fairey Swordfish, W5856, filmed at their Brough factory by British Aerospace in the 90's. 

W5856 is currently hangared with the Navy Wings Heritage Flight at RNAS Yeovilton and is still a regular and popular display aircraft at air shows around the UK.

Format: All regions

Duration: c:60 mins 

This book is just crammed with detail and is an ideal reference book for anyone interested in the superb powerhouse that is the Hawker Sea Fury - the pinnacle of piston engine technology. Packed with illustrations (including those shots you don't normally get of the systems behind the service panels) and informed commentary. Highly recommended both for enthusiasts and model makers.

Paperback.

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.

Commander Charles Lamb was always in the thick of the action from the sinking of Courageous, through attacking E boats at Dunkirk, pathfinding for the raid on Taranto attacking shipping in the Mediterranean and the defence of Malta.

'This is a rare tale of determination, action and spirit by a man who was an inspiration to those around him. There is no finer account of war in the Fleet Air Arm'.

Paperback.

An amazing man who had an amazing life. The two combine to make an amazing read. If it was fiction it would seem too far fetched to be credible. The story of a man whose contribution to aviation in general, and naval aviation in particular, extended far beyond the end of WWII. A man whose world records and numerous 'firsts' will never be challenged and nor will his title of 'The World's Greatest Test Pilot'.

Paperback.

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.

Spitfire Evolution is the first book to identify 73 variants of Supermarine Spitfire and Seafire.

Its commentary follows the evolution of this remarkable aircraft from its earliest forbears to the final marques (and includes Seafang, Spiteful and numerous small production specialist types).

 There are over 80 beautiful illustrations by Jon Freeman with additional diagrams illustrating both the technical differences and also a huge variety of liveries.

 The author, Paul Beaver, is a well-known writer, biographer, pilot and historian.

 This is a very convenient and extremely comprehensive companion/guide and is ideal for the spotter or aircraft enthusiast.

• Publisher‏: Beaver Westminster Limited (5 Mar. 2016)
• Language: English
• Pages: 68 
• ISBN: 9780993554506

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.

'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.

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

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.

Only finally recognised in 2012 with the Arctic Star Medal, this was one of the hardest campaigns in military history. Almost unimaginable hardship, risk and sacrifice. This is the story of the convoys that helped to keep Russia supplied with munitions.

'Drawing on hundreds of oral histories from eyewitnesses and veterans of the convoys, plus original research into the Russian Naval Archives at Murmansk, Walling offers a fresh retelling of one of World War II's pivotal yet largely overlooked campaigns.'

Paperback.

Brian Allen's career began as a naval Aviation Cadet aboard HMS Indefatigable. Starting on the T22 Vampire he moved through Firefly, Gannet, Avenger (yes, Avenger), Whirlwind and Wasp. During this time, in postings around the globe, he was involved in the U.K.'s atomic bomb testing in Operation Grapple and survived several ditchings and forced landings. This book offers an insight into the very different transitional immediate post war years.

• Publisher  : ‎ Pen & Sword Aviation; 1st Edition (18 Mar. 2010)
• Language ‏: ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏: ‎ 9781848841895
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 16.51 x 1.91 x 24.77 cm

Following neglect in the inter war years, the Fleet Air Arm went from less than a handful of carriers in 1939 to 59 in the space of 6 years and battled the Axis powers in every theatre of war. The role they played, both offensive and defensive was significant in the British War effort. This book contains a myriad technical details and illustrations.

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 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.