
- 278 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
This book uncovers many hidden facts and untold stories of the Fleet Air Arm (FAA), shedding light on its remarkable history, much of which has not been widely published. It offers a concise yet vivid account of how the Royal Navy's Air Service (RNAS) evolved over the years, shaped by over a century of political manoeuvring and its long-standing rivalry with the Royal Air Force. Even today, the FAA continues to operate in the shadow of the RAF, as seen in the ongoing developments surrounding the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers and the F-35B aircraft they now carry, frequent subjects in the media. Few know that the last serviceman to die in the Second World War was an FAA pilot, shot down over Japan at the very end of the Pacific conflict. While FAA victories such as Taranto and the Falklands are well known, it may surprise readers to learn that the FAA briefly flew Lancasters in 1946. And in the Gulf War, FAA Westland Lynx helicopters made history by virtually wiping out Iraq's navy using Sea Skua missiles, the first time seaborne helicopters achieved such a feat. This book also features the most comprehensive post-1945 timeline of the FAA, a reflection of the decline of Britain's maritime power over recent decades. Enriching the narrative are personal anecdotes from FAA personnel, highlighting their bravery, dedication, and sacrifice in the line of duty.
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Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- About the Author
- Dedication
- Copyright Information ©
- Acknowledgement
- Fleet Air Arm Battle Honours
- Ex Quaestione Veritas
- Preface
- Chapter 1 Introduction
- Chapter 2 The Interwar Years (1918–1939)
- Chapter 3 Sinking of the Graf Spee and Bismarck, 1939
- Chapter 4 FAA in the Mediterranean 1940–41
- Chapter 5 FAA’s Pacific War – January 1945 to August 1945
- Chapter 6 Korean War 1950–1953
- Chapter 7 SUEZ – 1956
- Chapter 8 The Middle East – 1958 to 1960
- Chapter 9 The 1960s – The Defining Decade for the FAA’s Future
- Chapter 10 Fleet Air Arm – Success May 1969 (With Help from the RAF)
- Chapter 11 Falklands Naval Air War 1982
- Chapter 12 The Joint Force Harrier Fiasco
- Chapter 13 The Lockheed Lightning II F35B Saga
- Chapter 14 The FAA’s Unsung Helicopter Boys
- Chapter 15 Very Different Animals – FAA vs RAF culture
- Chapter 16 Brave Exploits, Service and Sacrifices
- Chapter 17 Fleet Air Arm Squadrons – Numbering
- Chapter 19 Summary
- Bibliography
- Glossary