Vol 1: Air Defence Fighter Aircraft Since 1945.
Vol 2: Strike, Anti Submarine, Early warning & Support Aircraft since 1945.
Vol 3: Helicopters. TO BE RELEASED JUNE 2022
N.B. ONLY SALES HERE CONTRIBUTE TO KEEPING HERITAGE AIRCRAFT FLYING
Fleet Air Arm Boys Vol Two – (Abridged) review for FAAOA January 2022
Most other ‘narrative’ books about the FAA deal with either one aircraft type, or one individual’s life and experiences, which is where Steve’s books differ. The feeling is more of being in a bar, listening to stories from a range of individuals (dits, or ‘lantern-swinging’), from 1945 onwards. All give a tantalising sense of what it means to serve in the FAA – and what set’s it apart from other forms of aviation.
Light-hearted and mischievous tales mix with descriptions of tense action, and sometimes tragedy, but all combine to give a sense of the remarkable nature of Naval Aviation, and the people who conduct it.
Sections of the book give a true sense of the awesome – and fearsome – nature of such operations - what it was like to live and work in sometimes scarcely believable conditions. Yet despite the hardships and difficulties, operations were conducted at a high-tempo and sortie-rate, with (mainly!) good humour, and great camaraderie.
Overall, FAAB2 is a great canter through the previous 75 years of FAA operations, told through the voice of those who were there, and who experienced so much of what it means to be a part of the FAA family.
The signatories in Vol 2 include:
WO Keith Abnett. Artificer. 766 NAS Sea Vixen RNAS Yeovilton, 700P Phantom Intensive Flying Trials Unit, 892 NAS Phantom & Sea Harrier. 5 Carriers inc. HMS Ark Royal & Illustrious: HRH Prince Charles' Chief 'Tiff' - Wessex training on 'Dragon Flight'.
Wing Commander Robert Crane Observer. 893 NAS Sea Vixen, HMS Hermes,
Cdr John Ford. Pilot. 802 NAS Sea Hawk HMS Albion inc. Suez campaign; 800 NAS Scimitar HMS Ark Royal inc. aerobatic team; Aden campaign; Commander (Air) HMS Ark Royal
Flt Lt Brian Grant. Pilot. Exchange with FAA, 766 and 890 NAS Sea Vixen HMS Ark Royal. Hunter, Sea Vixen, Canberra & Hawk FRADU 1970-1994, and 1995-1997.
Leading Wren Bev McDermott Radio Operator. RNAS Yeovilton Comm Centre, also HMS Drake and Daedalus.
PO Terry McDonald Radio/Radar Technician. Hunter, Sea Vampire, Sea Venom, Sea Hawk; 899 NAS Sea Vixen HMS Eagle; 848 NAS Whirlwind HMS Bulwark
Lt Kim Sharman. Pilot. Two tours 899 NAS Sea Vixen, last launch & landing of the type (HMS Eagle 1972). Martel missile trials 'C' Sqn A&AEE. 750 NAS Sea Prince.
Lt Cdr Digby Stephenson Observer. 824 NAS Sea King; 800 NAS HMS Eagle and 809 NAS HMS Ark Royal Buccaneer;
Leading Airman John Stevens Aircraft handler. 1962-71 HMS Ark Royal, Hermes & Eagle.
Vice Admiral Sir Jonathan Tod KCB CBE. Pilot. Two tours 800 NAS Scimitar HMS Ark Royal; Sea Venom 750 NAS Hal Far; 738 NAS & 800 NAS HMS Eagle, 801 NAS HMS Hermes, 803 NAS Buccaneer; O in C HMS Illustrious; Deputy C-in-C Fleet
Steve Bond - Author
Please note: Not all the listed signatories were present during the signing sessions We have captured as many as possible.
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.
Dits
The Royal Navy has always been a good source of stories (or dits as they are known in RN/FAA parlance). The maritime environment, worldwide locations, complicated equipment operated in a small space or in harsh weather, great characters within a strongly bonded team and centuries old naval tradition all add up to a recipe for some cracking tales. These books are terrific reads for anyone interested in British sea based aviation.
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
Hardback
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