Product Description

The Fleet Air Arm (FAA) served with distinction in every theater of war throughout World War II. From its poorly equipped beginnings - it started the war with few suitable, modern, carrier-born fighters - to the final campaigns over the Japanese home islands, the FAA proved an effective fighting force wherever it went.

Desperate action over Malta and the Mediterranean during 1940-42, in the Indian and Pacific Oceans over Sumatra, the Atlantic battles and Artic Convoys, and the invasion of Okinawa, were just some of the famous and terrible actions they took part in.

FAA Pilots, despite the initial poor equipment, had the distinction of being responsible for both the first, and last, enemy aircraft to be shot down during the war.

Featuring first-hand accounts, combat reports, photographs from private collections, and an array of color plates depicting the range of profiles and symbolic markings that were used, this book will detail the history and combat experiences of these forgotten pilots who served with such distinction for the Allied cause.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #751861 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-27
• Released on: 2007-03-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 96 pages

Review
"At last a gap has been filled about Royal Navy (RN) World War II aviation by the author's book in the Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces series... The text is outstanding in describing the exploits of FAA pilots who achieved ace status and some who came very close. First-person accounts of the pilots make the text come alive... I consider this book a must for my library and recommend it for all those interested in the RN's FAA." -CDR Doug Siegfried, USN (Ret), The Hook (Winter 2008)

"A specific, important title military collections will relish." -California Bookwatch (July 2007)

"This book covers [the Fleet Air Arm pilots'] exploits with first hand accounts of the action, a superb choice of photographs and the excellent profiles of Chris Davey. Overall, it is a book that both historians and modelers alike will find to be invaluable and one that I can recommend with confidence." -Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com

About the Author
Andrew Thomas is one of Britain's most pre-eminent RAF researchers, having published numerous squadron histories and is presently a serving officer in the RAF. He is a respected author on British military aviation history having published numerous articles and books on the subject as well as readily assisting other authors. Since his schooldays he has maintained his enthusiastic interest in the history and development of British and Commonwealth aviation history. He has previously published volumes on the Gladiator, Tomahawk/Kittyhawk Hurricane, Beaufighter and Mosquito Aces in the renowned Osprey series. The author lives in Sleaford, UK.

Customer Reviews

Exciting Exploits of Little-Known Royal Navy Fighter Aces!
Considering the aerial duds Royal Navy fighter pilots flew, especially in the early war years, it was an eye-opener to discover that 36 RN pilots made ace in World War II! The aerial exploits of this unique group of men is the subject of Andrew Thomas' latest book for Osprey, #75 in their Aces series. It's a wonderfully interesting story that all air combat fans should enjoy.


The Royal Navy only regained control of its Fleet Air Arm from the Royal Air Force in May 1939. Consequently, at war's outbreak, RN fighter squadrons were equipped with the underpowered Blackburn Skua, Gloster Gladiator biplanes and the gun-turreted abortion, the Blackburn Roc! Despite being saddled with these second-stringers, Fleet Air Arm fliers like Skua pilot Bill Lucy used their mounts effectively, Lucy becoming the first Fleet Air Arm ace of the war.

Lumbering Fairey Fulmars were next on the scene and again, enterprising RN pilots used their aircraft to the fullest. The top Fulmar ace, Graham Hogg, scored 12 kills! The subsequent arrival of first-class fighters such as the Wildcat, Sea Hurricane, Seafire, Corsair and Hellcat enabled later RN pilots to score the magic five kills.

Aside from flying an incredible variety of aircraft, RN fighter pilots served in all theaters. Thomas does an excellent job of relating the far-flung exploits of what were some incredible fighter pilots. This is an especially lively entry in the Osprey Aces series due, in part, to the 'characters' that flew RN fighters and Thomas' engaging writing style.

The book includes over 90 photographs and 12 pages of color profiles by Chris Davey.

In short, a very nice piece of work, well-written and informative.