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 

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.

• 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
• 80 pages plus covers

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.

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

This is the true story of Commander R 'Mike' Crosley, a Seafire pilot during WW II. 

An amazing account of a Fleet Air Arm fighter pilot who began serving on HMS Eagle on the Malta convoy run. He graduated to flying the Supermarine Seafire & by the end of the war he had command of his own squadron. The author describes in vivid detail his experiences, both the excitement and the terror of flying a superb aircraft in combat. 

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 moat

Fabric adjustment

Sandwich peak to maintain shape

Just what you would expect to find in an Admiral's study, this elegant solid teak ruler is inlaid with a brass panel depicting numeral pennants from the International Code of Signals - engraved and picked out in coloured enamel infill.

There is also a brass strip inlaid into one edge to ensure a dead straight line for drawing or cutting.

A beautifully-made premium product that should last a lifetime.

Pennants   - Brass and Teak Ruler - 15cm

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

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

Velcro reverse.

The Fleet Air Arm action at Taranto was a ground breaking initiative. Beyond being very successful in damaging the Italian Fleet it turned the balance of power in the Mediterranean in favour of the British and thus changed the course of the war in North Africa. As the blueprint for the attack on Pearl Harbour, it ultimately changed the course of global history. The book is copiously illustrated with illustrations and photographs and details of the plans and there execution.

Softback.

After the rapid developments in tactics and technology of WWI, the Fleet Air Arm languished during the inter-war years. Immediately upon commencement of hostilities in WWII, they immediately rose to the new challenges. These two famous actions encapsulate the remarkable spirit and endeavour of a military arm that has so often been a world leader.

Hardback.

Stay warm when the weather closes in. An autumn and winter staple, the classic woven scarf is made from a luxury soft-touch yarn fabric with oversized styling and tassel trim to provide the perfect wrap-around option for cold weather excursions. Better still, it features The Great British Take Off motif.

Washing Instructions
Hand wash only, do not iron or dry clean

• 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

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.”

Drawing on rare, historical photography and specially commissioned artwork, Matthew Willis explores the heroic feats of the few Royal Navy’s obsolescent biplanes that stood between the state-of-the-art Axis warships and their objectives.

Focusing on the technical specifications of both opponents, using original records, and detailed armament and cockpit views, this book explores the key attributes and drawbacks of the disadvantaged Royal Navy torpedo-bombers against the mighty Regia Marina and Kriegsmarine destroyers and raiders, covering a wide range of sea battles, from the more famous attacks such as the strike on the Bismarck, the tragic events of the Channel Dash or the clash with the Italian battle fleet at Taranto, to less covered sea battles such as the Battle of Matapan.

Despite their powerful weaponry and heavy armour protection, the Axis warships proved vulnerable to a skillfully and audaciously flown torpedo-bomber, thanks to innovative commanders exploiting every possible advantage. Including rare personal recollections from the airmen who flew the torpedo-bombers and historical accounts from the Axis warship crews, this book describes each and every facet of this dramatic duel.

From cooks and clerks to weapons analysts and air mechanics, generations of women have served in the Wrens (Women's Royal Naval Service or WRNS). The Royal Navy was the first of the UK armed services to admit women during the First World War with the purpose of freeing up a man to go to sea by giving his job to a trained female worker. Disbanded in 1919, the Wrens were reinstated on the outbreak of the Second World War. This book focuses on the work and experiences of Wrens during the two world wars, introducing the kinds of jobs they performed and the places where they served. It contains poignant accounts from the women themselves, along with contemporary images of the Wrens in action and modern photographs of their uniforms, badges and insignia.

Few aircraft encompass as many contradictions as the Fairey Swordfish.

The legendary 'Stringbag' naval torpedo bomber was approaching antiquation at the start of the war yet struck mortal blows against some of the most powerful battleships in the Axis fleets. Naval Aviation historian Matthew Willis explores how modern technology such as radar kept the Swordfish effective in the early years of the war and enabled it to find and hit the Italian fleet at Taranto, and the Bismarck in the Atlantic, in circumstances where no other aircraft could have succeeded.

When it was finally superseded in its main role with the Fleet, the Swordfish fulfilled vital roles protecting convoys from the U-boat menace. The story of the Swordfish's service across the majority of theaters in WW2, from the hunt for the Graf Spee to the beaches of Normandy, is told here with never-before-published accounts from veteran aircrews. Includes 100+ historic photographs and unique images of the Royal Navy Historic Flight's preserved aircraft.

• Format Paperback: 116 pages
• Dimensions: 184 x 248mm
• Publication date 31 Aug 2022
• ISBN: 9781911658498

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.

Last chance to buy these bespoke propeller cufflinks.

Made from nickel-coated and come neatly presented in a chrome display box. Perfect for gifting, whether that be to friends or to yourself.

The display box is decorated with our Navy Wings 'Great British Take Off' design.