Since the end of World War 2 the primary role of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm has been airborne power projection; the ability rapidly to respond to any trouble spot across the globe and to protect the interests of the United Kingdom and its partner nations. The principal tools in that response were the strike aircraft which took the offensive to the aggressor. Although from 2010 to 2020 fixed-wing carrier aviation was not part of the Fleet Air Arm, with the advent of the navys two new aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, that capability has been restored. This renewed focus has not only seen the return of flying high performance aircraft from a carrier, but also the regeneration of the necessary skills, and courage, needed to cope with the extremes of weather and the nature of air operations in a very high-risk environment. However the lessons of the past have not been forgotten, and so many of those previous experiences are related within these pages true stories of the last 76 years from aircrew, maintainers, aircraft handlers and many other supporting staff both men and women. Following on from the success of volume one, this second volume covers every fixed-wing aircraft type flown from carriers in the strike, anti-submarine warfare and the vital airborne early warning roles; from Scimitars to Hunters, Buccaneers to Skyraider's & many more, plus an extensive fleet of land-based aircraft. As with the first volume, involvement in operations such as Suez, the Beira Patrol, the Falklands, Belize, Bosnia and elsewhere is included. Despite the intensity and all-to-frequent tragedy of operations, the esprit de corps, and the ability to find the necessary release through laughter, shine through. Here are the words of the men and women themselves, profusely illustrated in black and white and colour. 

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.

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

A Swordfish marked with circled stars was not a common or expected sight, but those markings were to avoid confusion during Operation Torch - the invasion of North Africa in 1942.

This is a highly detailed, 1/72 scale, diecast model of Fairey Swordfish MKI V444B of 833 Squadron. Once again, an example of the Fleet Air Arm getting stuck into an action where many people are unaware of their involvement. 

A rare livery and a rare model.

These models are part of a Limited Edition of just 1000 of these models available worldwide.

Reflecting centuries of tradition of wooden ships in the Royal Navy, ships which helped to create the world's biggest empire, these coasters allude to the modern position where aircraft, rotary and fixed wing, form an integral part of our modern maritime fighting force.

Made from finest oak.

Felt reverse for surface protection.

... From the First World War to the Present Day

Airborne Anti-Submarine Warfare unlocks the history and theory behind the shadowy art of how aircraft hunt for submarines. Written by a veteran US Navy submarine hunting pilot, this book will take aviators, naval enthusiasts, and military scholars behind the scenes to understand how technical breakthroughs, the evolution of weapons, and advances in sensors have shaped this high-risk game of cat and mouse. On 15 September 1916, the French submarine Foucault was spotted and attacked by a pair of Austro-Hungarian flying boats in the Adriatic. During the bombing that followed, Foucault was so badly damaged that she was eventually abandoned by her crew – all of whom survived. This was the first time in history that a submarine had been sunk by an aircraft. It was an engagement which set in motion a constantly evolving aspect of underwater warfare. In this book, Michael Glynn explores a journey through the history of more than 100 years of aerial sub hunting. From the Great War, through the Battle of the Atlantic in the Second World War and on to the secret confrontations of the Cold War, the reader will witness the parallel evolution of both aircraft and submarine as each side tries to gain supremacy over the other. In so doing, he distils complicated oceanography, operations analysis, and technical theory into easily digested concepts, helping the reader understand how complex weapons and sensors function. By reviewing the steps of a submarine hunting flight, the reader can quickly understand how theory and practice fit together and how aviators set out to achieve their goal of detecting their submarine targets. Airborne Anti-Submarine Warfare is a thrilling read for those seeking a glimpse into an arcane and high-stakes world.

• Publisher: ‎  Frontline Books (30 Mar. 2022)
• Language‏:  ‎English
• Hardcover‏: ‎345 pages
• ISBN: ‎         9781399092739

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.

Neptune and the Pollywogs is an in-depth study of the most traditional of seafaring initiation ceremonies, Crossing of the Line, which is performed when one of Her Majesty’s Ships crosses the equator.

Neptune and the Pollywogs examine the rites historical roots, follows its chronological evolution, formalities and observances, the parts and origin of the characters used in the ceremonies historic and modern-day practice.

Furthermore, this book reveals the Admiralties pamphlet, issued in September 1946, which outline the ceremonies procedure and its conduct following H.M.S. Renown's crossing, when the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, was a willing Pollywog.

The crossings of HMS Deer Sound and HMS Perseus are recorded using original documentation.
Included, primarily for entertainment, is the anecdotal story of the SS Warrimoo.

Published in conjunction with the Royal Navy Research Archives.com

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

This smart holdall is very versatile and could be used as easily as an overnight bag or to take your kit to the gym.

With a 45 litre capacity, you'll be surprised how much it can carry.

Quality materials and construction mean that it will last for years.

• Padded hand grip.
• Detachable adjustable shoulder strap with pad.
• Two tone webbing details.
• Antique brass effect fittings.
• Internal valuables pocket.
• Front zip pocket.
• Padded base.
• Capacity 45 litres.

NB shoes not included!

This range was Inspired by an overheard remark made by an ex Fleet Air Arm pilot. 

These designs are exclusive to Navy Wings and feature nine iconic aircraft that have played critical roles in the history of the Fleet Air Arm.

It's the very special combination of the aircraft, the aircrew and everyone involved in operating them that makes the Fleet Air Arm ROCK!

We recommend washing at 40 degrees or below.

220gsm

Sit back and enjoy your favourite brew in your new favourite mug. It's never been easier to show your affiliation with the Fleet Air Arm with this snazzy zigzag design.

All profits go towards repairing and maintaining our historic naval aircraft.

Hand wash recommended.

Microwave safe for longevity.

330ml

A high quality t-shirt with the ever popular Great British Take Off logo. 

Now your child can display both your and their passion for British Naval Aviation Heritage.

 We recommend washing and ironing inside out. This garment is machine washable.

Sliding out of the shadows of World War Two, the de Havilland Vampire – accompanied by the distinctive whine of its Goblin engine – quickly proved itself an effective alternative to piston-powered fighters. After entering operational service with the RAF (as the service’s first single-engined jet) in 1946, the Vampire – sought by air forces the world over – held a number of notable records: the first fighter to exceed 500 mph, the first to set a world altitude record of almost 60,000 ft, the first jet to take off and land from an aircraft carrier, and the first jet to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Not bad for something built partly of wood. Throughout these pages, the “Vampire Boys” bring to life the trials and tribulations of operating a first-generation jet across the globe. Through their insightful anecdotes and exceptional experiences, the reader can follow squadrons across the dusty deserts of Iraq to exercises in West Germany. First-hand tales of training, aerial handling, incidents and accidents (including the much-maligned spin characteristics) and squadron life – accompanied by unique images – bring together a portrait of a pioneering time in aviation advancement, right up to the present day with the T.11 still flying from Coventry Airport.

Smart, durable and very good at keeping things hot or cold....

Each tumbler has a wide opening for comfortable filling and pouring with an easy sipping push-on lid with slide closure.

Top quality, these are solidly built and will last for years.

This item is not dishwasher safe.

Capacity 350ml.

The war in the Mediterranean was always about so much more than the Mediterranean itself. O'Hara illuminates the complexity and far reaching ramifications of this critical conflict and avoids the trap of rehashing the myths by introducing research from British, Italian, German, French and US sources - all sides of a gritty and hard fought story.

Hardback

The de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk (or Chippie) is a tandem, two-seat, single-engine primary trainer aircraft designed and developed by de Havilland (Canada). It was developed shortly after WWII and sold in large numbers during the immediate post-war years, often used as a replacement for the de Havilland Tiger Moth biplane. Introduced in 1946 it was finally retired in the UK in 1996.

It was much loved by the generations of trainee pilots who cut their teeth on this very capable, reliable and pilot friendly aircraft.

This specific aircraft, WK608, beautifully rendered here by Joe Roberts, currently resides in the Navy Wings hangar. It is part of the Navy Wings 'tail dragger' training process and makes regular appearances at airshows around the UK.

Poster: A3

A beautiful print showing the glorious curves of one of the most elegant aircraft to grace the skies. A perfect example of 'if it looks right, it'll fly right'.

A limited edition of 150 signed by:

Captain Alan John 'Spiv' Leahy CBE DSC RN (CO of the 'Red Devils' Seahawk display team) and Lt Cdr Russ Eatwell (display pilot RNHF).

Overall size: 59.5cms x 42cms

 N.B. Supplied as print only. The frame in the image is for illustration purposes only.

...True Tales from the Operator's of Britain's First Jet Fighter - From 1944 to Date

By interviewing over forty veterans, author Steve Bond has written an incredibly detailed insight into this iconic aircraft, which is supported by anecdotes and accounts from those who knew it best.

The full visual history of the special forces combat diver from World War II to the present day.

Combat divers are an elite within an elite. Every special forces combat diver is required to pass selection twice – first into the elite military unit and then a combat diving qualification. The combat dive units themselves are tiny and the operations highly classified. The role of a military diver is inevitably a lonely and a dangerous one, whether clearing mines or striking from the sea against enemy-held targets. Fully illustrated with rare and unusual images, Combat Divers reveals their little-known yet fascinating operations, from Dutch Special Forces combat divers covertly operating against Somali pirates to the actions of Soviet Spetsnaz divers in Swedish territorial waters during the Cold War. It also examines how the most famous units, such as the US Navy SEALs and the Royal Navy's SBS, are currently operating and adapting to threats in a multitude of theatres.

Combat Divers gives an insight into specialist kit and vehicles presently used and equipment that is being developed and trialed throughout the world. Covering a variety of kit, from dry deck shelters to mini-submarines and swimmer delivery vehicles, former Royal Marines Commando Michael G. Welham draws on his own extensive diving experience to reveal exactly how this equipment is used by special forces dive teams. As their kit and equipment constantly evolve, so does the nature of their work and even the team element. Combat Divers also details the first female combat divers and includes their own first-hand accounts about their groundbreaking roles within their respective units to create a fascinating history of these elite special forces operatives.

Hardcopy