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During five years of research for the four volumes of the Fleet Air
Arm Boys book series covering the post-war FAA, former personnel
not only contributed a huge quantity of stories but also sent many
thousands of photographs, largely taken by themselves, and mostly
never previously seen. It soon became clear that what was needed
was a stand-alone photograph-heavy book, showing off many of these
superb photos to best effect by giving them up to a full page or
more with high quality reproduction. Â Whereas the âBoysâ
books are all about fascinating stories supported by photos, here
you have fascinating photos supported by some explanation and the
occasional short supporting story. The opportunity has also been
taken to expand the coverage to cover the whole history from the
start of the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) before the First World
War to today, illustrating the changing equipment and roles of the
service. Coverage is not limited to just a large representative
group of aircraft, but also includes many ships and air stations.
Most importantly, air and ground crew are highlighted throughout,
both at work and at play, and those who lost their lives are
suitably remembered. Flying with the Navy is a once-in-a-lifetime
publication and a must-have for all devotees of this truly
astounding branch of the armed forces.
Steve Bond is back with the final volume in this popular series.
Unlike his previous three tomes, with their focus on
air/rotorcraft, this book is uniquely dedicated to the personnel of
the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) themselves. Each chapter will concentrate
on the memories of contributors who served in a range of roles,
including those below the flight deck. Accounts will focus on the
everyday life upon an aircraft carrier as well as the extraordinary
challenges faced during operations. There is a fascinating chapter
covering exchange services with the RAF and other navies including
the French and US; and also insight into the Indian navyâs
experience with the Sea Hawk and Sea Harrier. Within the previous
volumes, we met some remarkable characters and there is a chapter
devoted to peopleâs memories of them. The closing section
entitled âThoughtsâ sees contributors reflect on their FAA
career with many deeply moving responses and discourses on the
future of the service. The book is heavily illustrated throughout
in colour and black and white with personal photographs from the
contributors, artwork and tongue-in-cheek cartoons for which the
FAA is famous. Volume Four is the perfect conclusion to the ongoing
post-war story of a truly astounding branch of the armed forces.
To date there has been a paucity of books on this remarkable
aircraft. Among its claims to fame are the following: the only RAF
bomber to serve in its original role from first day of war to last,
and in every theatre; the first type to bomb Germany; the first
type to bomb Berlin; the first type to drop the 4,000lb 'Cookie'
bomb; and so on. A serious study is well overdue, drawing not just
on official documentation but relying greatly on personal accounts
and anecdotes from the veterans who were there, both air and ground
crew. And here it is. Through his diligent research over many
years, author Steve Bond has produced an outstanding work. His
coverage of operations will include, inter alia, the early bombing
campaigns, the switch to main force activity, the use of OTU
aircraft and crews on operations, the protection of Atlantic and
Mediterranean convoys, service with the FAA and the French and the
Wellington's continued use as bomber and transport aircraft.
Since the end of World War 2 the primary role of the Royal Navyâs
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 navyâs 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 â 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 Skyraiders and 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.
Grub Street is proud to present Meteor Boys, the latest title in
its ever-popular Boys series. As Britain's first jet fighter, the
Gloster Meteor has had a remarkably varied and lengthy life. But
whilst many books have focused on its development and service
history, the time has come to hear the personal experiences of its
air and ground crews. 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. One example is Alan McDonald who described
the Meteor as 'a bit unforgiving if you got it wrong, as many
pilots found out to their cost, especially on one engine, but I
must admit I got to like it very much it was a great adrenalin
rush.' Alongside these entertaining anecdotes are details of the
Meteor's origins and developments. Starting with the first
deliveries in 1944 working through to the present day, Steve Bond
documents the diverse role which the Meteor has had. From use in
operations against the V1, photo-reconnaissance missions, as a
training machine and later a display aircraft particular attention
is given to its major service period of the 1950s through to the
early 1960s. The book will also feature photographs never seen
before in print. This detailed history of this iconic and much
loved jet fighter will appeal to all aviation fans.
Helicopters have been going to sea with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air
Arm for over 70 years. Initially used for search and rescue (SAR)
duties from aircraft carriers, the rapid development of both the
helicopters and service experience resulted in them taking on the
vital anti-submarine (and later anti-ship) attack roles. The 1956
Suez campaign saw the first operational use of Whirlwind
helicopters for the insertion of troops by air into a battle zone,
a capability which was expanded with more helicopters such as the
Wessex, Sea King and today's Merlin. Through their vital role in
the 1960s Indonesian Confrontation, the Commando helicopter force
became universally referred to as the 'Junglies', by which name
they are still known today. It is often said that if either of the
1982 Task Force aircraft carriers had been lost the Falklands War
could not have been won. The same would surely have been true
without helicopters. Their vital tasks, including inserting Special
Forces behind enemy lines, protecting the Task Force from Exocet
missile attack and recovering wounded troops whilst under enemy
fire, are rightly hailed as being instrumental. At home, the
essential SAR effort by both the Royal Navy and their RAF
counterparts has resulted in incredible stories of saving lives
against the odds. Royal Navy destroyers and frigates have also long
since benefitted from having their own helicopter Flight aboard.
Frequently operating in extremes of weather, flying a Wasp, Lynx or
today's Wildcat from and back to a heaving deck is every bit as
risky as flying fixed-wing aircraft off the carriers of old using
the cat and trap system. Once dismissed as a novelty, the
helicopter has more than proved itself. Indeed, for ten years until
the arrival of the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, the
Fleet Air Arm's operational force was entirely rotary-wing. Today's
Merlins and Wildcats, with their dedicated aircrew, maintenance and
support staff continue to demonstrate just how vital an asset the
helicopter has become. Here are the words of the men and women
themselves, skilfully brought to life by Steve Bond and profusely
illustrated in colour and b/w.
After World War II the Royal Air Force went through a considerable
downsizing, but retained an essential maritime reconnaissance role
for the protection of British interests overseas. These areas were
primarily the Mediterranean, Middle East, Far East to Hong Kong and
all associated trade routes linking them to Britain and each other.
With the arrival in service of the Shackleton from 1951,
re-equipment with the new type initially concentrated on the home
fleet of Coastal Command. The first overseas station to get them
was Gibraltar in 1952, followed by Malta, Singapore, Aden and
finally Sharjah. In addition to their daily routine of maritime
patrols, the overseas squadrons took part in a number of
significant operations. From dealing with rebellion in Aden,
Rhodesiaâs Unilateral Declaration of Independence to the
Indonesian Confrontation, the Shackleton played a vital
peacekeeping role. There was even a permanent detachment on the
island of Gan for search-and-rescue cover for aircraft transiting
to and from the Far East.The last overseas RAF Shackletons were
based at Sharjah until late 1971, with a detachment from the UK
remaining in Singapore until 1972. The only other operator of the
type was the South African Air Force, who flew eight examples of
the MR.3 from 1957. The survivors were finally withdrawn from use
in November 1984. Thus, after almost thirty-three years the
Shackletonâs overseas story was essentially over. Following the
outstanding success of Volume 1, published in 2018 and still
available, Steve Bond has garnered another exceptional group of
Shack operators who delight in giving the reader their tales of
derring-do. Another one for the Boysâ kitbag!
Essentially a development of the Avro Lancaster via the later
Lincoln, the Avro Shackleton was the RAF's first line of defence in
the maritime role from 1951 for twenty years, thereafter continuing
to serve as an airborne early warning aircraft for another twenty,
until 1991. The 'Old Grey Lady', the 'Growler', '20,000 rivets in
loose formation', but mostly known simply as the 'Shack', it is
viewed with great affection by those who flew and maintained it. In
addition to its traditional sub-hunting role, it was also used
extensively for search and rescue operations, and even as a
conventional bomber in the Aden theatre. Operating around the world
with squadrons based in the UK, the Mediterranean, Middle East and
Far East, 'Shacks' were also used to support the blockade of oil
supplies to Rhodesia during the UDI crisis in the '60s and '70s,
and searching for gun-running boats during the Indonesian
Confrontation. All of the Boys' stories are from air and ground
crew veterans themselves, and because there are so many vital and
entertaining accounts, Steve Bond has divided his subject into two
volumes. Consequently this volume will cover UK-based units flying
from Ballykelly (including Aldergrove), Farnborough, Honington,
Kinloss, Lossiemouth, St Eval and St Mawgan, plus many overseas
detachments including Christmas Island and Majunga. To complement
the detailed personal accounts and anecdotes are hundreds of
original photographs and extensive appendices. A feast for any
'Shack' or military aviation aficionado. Volume Two (coming in
2019) will cover those units based overseas at Changi, Gan,
Gibraltar, Khormaksar, Luqa (and Hal Far), and Sharjah, plus the
South African Air Force operations from Ysterplaat/Malan.
The RAF's continuing role in the projection of air power in the
defence of the United Kingdom and its overseas interests since the
end of the Second World War is well known. However, the same cannot
always be said about the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm (FAA), in part
due to the ten-year gap between the retirement of the Harrier and
the arrival of the F-35B and the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft
carriers. Flying high performance aircraft off a carrier demands
not only a high level of skill, but also a considerable amount of
courage and determination, not least to land back on a very small
piece of real estate bobbing about in a rough sea, often at night,
with no possibility of diversion. The nature of these operations
has meant that the accident rate and aircrew losses were very high
- and accepted as part of the job. With the arrival of the Queen
Elizabeth and the Prince of Wales, it is time to redress the
balance and bring the FAA's extraordinary story to the audience it
so richly deserves through the words of those air and ground crews
who have been part of it since 1945. What emerges is an amazing
close-knit esprit de corps, often accompanied by a long-standing
and still simmering rivalry between the RAF and the Royal Navy over
who should project air power overseas. Enormous respect is shown by
the aviators and ships' senior officers for the aircraft handlers
and maintainers, who work long hours in a highly dangerous
environment on the flight deck. This first volume looks
chronologically at every aircraft type flown in an air defence role
since 1945. Involvement in conflicts including Korea, Suez, the
Falklands, Bosnia and elsewhere is included, and perforce the cost
in human lives, even in everyday operations, frequently emerges.
Balancing this are the everyday grind, the good times, the humour,
the 'runs ashore' and the sense of pride in a job well done. All
delivered in the words of the men themselves.
The Gloster Javelin was the UK's first line of night and
all-weather air defence both at home and in RAF Germany. In the
1950s, when it replaced the Meteor and Venom, this revolutionary
bomber interceptor became integral to many great stories told here
in terrific detail. With an unorthodox aerodynamic design, the
Javelin initially had major production issues, which included a
tendency for engines to self-destruct under certain conditions.
Despite this and the criticism it faced - its nicknames included
'Flying Flat-Iron' and 'Harmonious Dragmaster' - the aircraft still
receives much affection from its former aircrew. Starting from the
first deliveries of Javelins in 1956 until the final withdrawal
from RAF squadron use in 1968, Javelin Boys describes adventures in
Cyprus, Singapore during the Indonesian Confrontation and Zambia
during the Rhodesian declaration of UDI. In this period a total of
434 Javelins were built, with their use spanning across eighteen
different squadrons. Steve Bond has interviewed a number of
veterans, all with captivating tales of their time on the aircraft.
Alongside their anecdotes is a detailed history of this unusual
aircraft, accompanied by photography. This book is bound to appeal
to all aviation fans.
'Tonight you are going to the Big City. You will have the
opportunity to light a fire in the belly of the enemy that will
burn his black heart out.' The message from Commander-in-Chief of
RAF Bomber Command Sir Arthur Harris was clear. As the Second World
War continued into a fifth year, the airmen of Bomber Command were
to fly deep into hostile airspace and bring the war direct to the
German Nazi capital Berlin. From the autumn of 1943 to the last
days of winter in early 1944, during the hours of extended
darkness, the bomber crews braved the flak, the searchlights, enemy
night fighters and extremes of weather, to bombard the 'black
heart'. Prior to the all-out campaign against the 'Big City' Sir
Arthur Harris firmly believed his bomber force could break the
German will to wage war, but he also prophesied that 'It will cost
us between 400 and 500 aircraft'. Fighting High Publishing brings
together acclaimed Bomber Command historians to tell the story of
some of the thousands of airmen who failed to return from
operations as part of the 1943 and 1944 Bomber Command Battle of
Berlin. The authors, utilising family archives, personal testimony
and records, wartime memoirs, diaries and letters, witness
recollections, logbooks, and official documents, piece together the
remarkable, yet ultimately tragic events surrounding the losses
described. Illustrated throughout with previously unpublished black
and white and colour photographs Bomber Command Battle of Berlin
Failed to Return ensures the memory of those who made the ultimate
sacrifice is kept alive. 'We Will Remember Them'.
The Essentials of Finance for School Leaders: A Practical Handbook
for Problem-Solving and Meeting Challenges is carefully authored to
provide supervisory practitioners at the school building level with
the vital tools of school finance literacy alongside an
understanding of school finance policy that impacts the everyday
operation of todayâs public schools. This book is designed for
candidates in entry-level school building leadership programs as
well as for inexperienced and experienced school principals,
assistant principals, department chairs, dean of students,
financial secretaries, local school bursars, faculty treasurers,
and more.
The Essentials of Finance for School Leaders: A Practical Handbook
for Problem-Solving and Meeting Challenges is carefully authored to
provide supervisory practitioners at the school building level with
the vital tools of school finance literacy alongside an
understanding of school finance policy that impacts the everyday
operation of todayâs public schools. This book is designed for
candidates in entry-level school building leadership programs as
well as for inexperienced and experienced school principals,
assistant principals, department chairs, dean of students,
financial secretaries, local school bursars, faculty treasurers,
and more.
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