It is now almost exactly a hundred years since a heavier-than-air craft took off and landed on a warship, and from the very beginning flying at sea made unique demands on men and machines. As warplanes grew larger, faster and heavier, air operations from ships were only possible at all through constant development in technology, techniques and tactics. This book charts the progress and growing effectiveness of naval air power, concentrating on the advances and inventions ? most of them British ? that allowed shipborne aircraft to match their land-based counterparts, and looking at their contribution to 20th century warfare. Written by a retired Fleet air Arm pilot and award-winning historian of naval flying, this is a masterly overview of the history of aviation in the world's navies down to the present day. Heavily illustrated from the author's comprehensive collection of photographs, the book will be essential reading to anyone with an interest in navies or air power. AUTHOR: David Hobbs retired after a Royal Navy flying career and worked fro some years as the curator of the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton. He is the author of a number of books on naval aviation, including a comprehensive encyclopaedia of the world's aircraft carriers. 200 illustrations
