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.

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

Everyone knows about the Supermarine Spitfire and its part in the Battle of Britain and thereafter in the battle over Europe. However, few are familiar with the part its maritime counterpart, the Seafire, played with the Fleet Air Arm. Despite teething troubles and not being ideal as a carrier based fighter, it nonetheless gave the Navy a superb interceptor at a time when the allies were beginning to go on the offensive. 

Packed with illustrations, photographs and development and operational details, this is a great book set in a period when the Fleet Air Arm was growing into a formidable force on a global scale.

Softback: A4

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.

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

A very nice boatswain whistle or bosuns whistle. Perfect for practising!

Our UK-made nickel-plated Bosun's Calls are supplied in a gift box with full instructions and charts for producing the many official calls. Dimensions (L12.00cm x W2.00cm x H3.00cm

We also have a copper and brass bosun call's keyring. It is 5 inches long with an attached 16 inch long chain.

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 Airco DH4 was a British two seat bomber aircraft of WWI. Designed by the great Geoffrey de Havilland (hence 'DH') it was the first British two-seat light bomber to have an effective defensive armament. It entered service with the RFC in March 1917. 

It had a forward firing 0.303 in Vickers machine gun for the pilot, an 0.303 in Lewis gun for the observer and was capable of carrying over 460lb's of bombs.

Brand: Oxford Diecast

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.

This bespoke design features the famous Fleet Air Arm blue zigzag alternating with the Navy Wings logo.

Just the job!

Dishwasher and microwave safe.

'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 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!

One size fits most

Fabric adjustment

Sandwich peak to maintain shape.

In May 1945, with victory in Europe established, the war was all but over. But on the other side of the world, the Allies were still engaged in a bitter struggle to control the Pacific. And it was then that the Japanese unleashed a terrible new form of warfare: the suicide pilots, or Kamikaze.

Drawing on meticulous research and unique personal access to the remaining survivors, Will Iredale follows a group of young men from the moment they joined up through their initial training to the terrifying reality of fighting against pilots who, in the cruel last summer of the war, chose death rather than risk their country's dishonourable defeat and deliberately flew their planes into Allied aircraft carriers. A story of courage, valour and dogged determination, The Kamikaze Hunters is a gripping account of how a few brave young men helped to ensure lasting peace.

Apple Eau de Vie infused with Somerset Morello cherries. Rich and fragrant with a hint of almonds.

Good after dinner or served with ice cream.

Great Taste Award 3 stars!

 35cl 17.5% abv

Aviation has revolutionised warfare over the last 100 years, and this new pocket guide gives the reader the essential details of 70 iconic aircraft, including the Sopwith Camel, the Spitfire, the Messerschmitt Bf 109, the P-51 Mustang and the F-4 Phantom. Drawing on Osprey's comprehensive aviation archive, the Plane Spotter's Guide uses detailed profile artwork to illustrate and aid recognition, as well as specification boxes to provide all the technical details.

216 pages, lavishly illustrated 

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.

50cl 18% abv

A legend in the apple orchards of the West Country.  A blend of Cider Brandy and the juice of one of the finest and rarest of vintage cider apples.  

Apple, honey and apple blossom with citrus notes. Drink over ice or with tonic.

REVIEWS

Great Taste Awards 2023

“An unusual mix of juice and brandy makes this spirit quite unique. This is a very versatile drink which could be imbibed as an aperitif or digestif, before or after a meal. It could be drunk long with a soda or by itself with ice. Simply delicious.

An exquisite product of the highest order. The apple shines throughout with soft caramel notes which evoke the flavour of tarte tatin. We simply couldn't find fault with this product, or stop going back for more.

The Daily Telegraph

‘Scrumptious’ ‘A gratifyingly versatile blend of apple juice and Somerset Cider Brandy.’

Malt Review

“On the nose: Really clean and fresh. Red apple juice, heather honey, a light touch of caramel. Orange zest and copper pennies. Very nicely married with the spirit – nothing harsh whatsoever.

In the mouth: Pristine again, and what this has that pommeau often tends not to is a lovely fresh brightness of acidity that just pierces the sweetness and lifts everything up. Apple and golden raisin. Mango slices and Dundee cake. Just such a drinkable and fresh take on this style and again the weighting of juice and spirit is delightful.”

Crafty Nectar

“It pours a bright, burnished bronze and whilst still a little swirl reveals some pronounced ‘legs’. The aroma is sweet and aged, toffee apple and Christmas cake, but at the same time the acid in the Kingston Black juice lifts everything to give the impression of a light, freshness. In the mouth it is more of the same, the spices and sultanas from the Christmas cake almost seem to evaporate off the surface of the liquid and fill your nose from within. There’s no harshness or alcoholic note, just velvety, sweet goodness.”

If you're a member of the Fleet Air Arm Squadron, or just want to show your affiliation to it, these quality mugs say it all. Either way it's a statement of pride.

Handwash recommended for longevity
330ml capacity.

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.

Telegraphist Air Gunner – The Last Line of Defiance by artist CPO(A) Horace William ‘Nat’ Gold FAASFX412

This image, the brave TAG prepared to defend his aircraft and crew from, usually better equipped, all comers, is an embodiment of the 'Can do, will do' spirit that defines the Fleet Air Arm. 

Stationed in Malta between January 1941 and January 1942, Telegraphist Air Gunner ‘Nat’ Gold survived nearly 1000 air raids, some of which were taking place as his Fairey Swordfish Mk1 was landing or taking off.

Of his 35 flights from Hal-Far, 24 included torpedo attacks, dive bombing or mine laying while others were for reconnaissance and anti-submarine patrol.

Between May and November 1941, 830 Naval Air Squadron sank 110,000 tons of enemy shipping and damaged 130,000 more – a record unequalled by any other squadron. By the end of 1942, 830 and 828 Naval Air Squadrons had a combined tally of nearly 400,000 tons sunk or damaged.

Many torpedo attacks were carried out at night despite a lack of night flying instruments or even a torpedo sight.

‘Nat’ Gold was mentioned in despatches in 1942.

He subsequently became a gunnery instructor and served with 750 NAS in Trinidad until the end of the war

A commemorative piece to recognise the extreme bravery and sacrifice that occurred on February 12th, 1942, when six Fairey Swordfish were pitted against an overwhelming force of the Kreigsmarine and Luftwaffe.

In this doomed attempt to sink the Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen, all six Swordfish were shot down and only 5 of the 'Gallant Eighteen' aircrew survived. Their flight leader, Lt Cdr Eugene Esmonde, was posthumously awarded the Victoria cross.

A supreme example of courage and duty.

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”.

330ml capacity

(We recommend hand wash only and avoiding use in a microwave oven)

The Battle of the Atlantic (1939-1945) was the longest and most complex battle of WWII. Often referred to as the Battle FOR Britain (as opposed to the Battle of Britain), it was the battle that Britain simply had to win or be strangled out of the conflict. Fairey Swordfish, MAC (Merchant Aircraft Carrier - converted merchantmen) ships and Escort carriers played a vital role in winning the war against the U boat. 

In c.270 convoys accompanied by this redoubtable duo, there was only one successful attack on a convoy.

2023 marks the 80th anniversary of that point in the battle where Grand Admiral Karl Doenitz and the German high command recognised that their war had shifted from successful convoy predation to a point where their own losses were had become unsustainable.

This is a quality item made from soft cotton with a UPF of 50+.

Ideal for air shows, sailing, walking or just falling asleep in the summer sunshine on a hammock in the garden. 

The design shows a Fairey Swordfish, aircraft carrier and U-Boat

Complete with:

Size adjuster