Fleet Air Arm Boys: Volume One: Air Defence Fighter Aircraft Since 1945 True Tales From Royal Navy Aircrew, Maintainers and Handlers

The Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm (FAA) has a long and distinguished history, but it has often been overshadowed by the RAF. With the arrival of the Queen Elizabeth and the Prince of Wales, it is time to tell the FAA's story through the words of the 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. The book looks chronologically at every aircraft type flown in an air defense role since 1945, including involvement in conflicts such as Korea, Suez, the Falklands, Bosnia, and elsewhere.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2022
Publisher: Grub Street Publishing

The Royal Air Force (RAF) has played a pivotal role in projecting air power in the defense of the United Kingdom and its overseas interests since the end of World War II. However, the same cannot be said for the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm (FAA), partly 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 requires not only a high level of skill but also a considerable amount of courage and determination, especially 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 resulted in a high accident rate and aircrew losses, which have been 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. 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 defense role since 1945. Involvement in conflicts such as Korea, Suez, the Falklands, Bosnia, and elsewhere is included, and, of course, the cost in human lives, even in everyday operations, frequently emerges. Balancing this are the everyday grind, the camaraderie, and the sense of purpose that comes with being part of the FAA.

The FAA has a rich history and has played a vital role in the defense of the United Kingdom and its allies. Its aircrews have demonstrated incredible skill and bravery in the air, and their dedication to their craft is evident in the countless missions they have flown. The arrival of the Queen Elizabeth and the Prince of Wales marks a new chapter in the FAA's story, and it is hoped that this first volume will inspire further interest in the organization and its contributions to air power projection.

In conclusion, the RAF's continuing role in projecting air power in the defense of the United Kingdom and its overseas interests is well known. However, the same cannot always be said for the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm (FAA), partly 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. 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. The FAA has 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. The aviators and ships' senior officers show enormous respect 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 defense role since 1945. Involvement in conflicts such as Korea, Suez, the Falklands, Bosnia, and elsewhere is included, and, of course, the cost in human lives, even in everyday operations, frequently emerges. Balancing this are the everyday grind, the camaraderie, and the sense of purpose that comes with being part of the FAA. The FAA has a rich history and has played a vital role in the defense of the United Kingdom and its allies. Its aircrews have demonstrated incredible skill and bravery in the air, and their dedication to their craft is evident in the countless missions they have flown. The arrival of the Queen Elizabeth and the Prince of Wales marks a new chapter in the FAA's story, and it is hoped that this first volume will inspire further interest in the organization and its contributions to air power projection.

Weight: 728g
Dimension: 153 x 233 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781911667315