Fleet Air Arm

British Carrier Aviation,
1939-1945

by Ron McKay

color by
Don Greer

"Fleet Air Arm" is available from Squadron.com

Reviewed by Brett Green

Squadron/Signal Publications has a knack for packaging concise and helpful reference books on otherwise overlooked elements of aviation history. Titles such as Squadron's Finnish Air Force, Hungarian Air Force and two-part Regia Aeronautica series are amongst the most-thumbed books in my library.

Squadron has adopted another neglected subject with "Fleet Air Arm - British Carrier Aviation, 1939-1945" by Ron McKay.

The book is presented in portrait format with 64 glossy pages between soft cardboard covers.

The rear page is one of the highlights of the book, with five small but beautifully reproduced colour photographs of wartime FAA aircraft. These pictures perfectly illustrate the FAA shades of Dark Slate Grey (actually more like a medium drab olive shade) and Extra Dark Sea Grey. These colour photos also include an Ocean Grey and Dark Green camouflaged Spitfire I. This provides a useful comparison between the standard day-fighter colours and the over-water shades.

Although the title limits the scope of the book to WWII, the text commences with the introduction of the first British aircraft carrier in 1918. The narrative continues with major operational engagements including the Battle of the Atlantic, Russian convoys, Mediterranean operations, the Far East and Pacific Fleets and, of course, descriptions of the sinking of the Bismarck and the Tirpitz.

In common with most Squadron publications, "Fleet Air Arm" is packed with contemporary, helpfully captioned photos. More than 100 black-and-white photos are included in this title.

The colour artwork is another highlight. Don Greer supplies 40 colour profiles across 8 pages in addition to the attractive cover artwork. These profiles cover aircraft types including Seafire, Hurricane, Wildcat, Hellcat, Corsair, Avenger, Barracuda, Walrus, Fulmar, Firefly, Kingfisher, Sea Gladiator, Skua, Seafox, Roc, Flycatcher, Nimrod, Swordfish, Albacore and even the bulbous and unimaginatively-named "Blackburn Blackburn"! 

Squadron's "Fleet Air Arm" is an excellent primer for the history, operations and aircraft of the British FAA in World War Two. There are undoubtedly specific unit histories and other books with more detail on individual aircraft types, but this book provides an authentic impression of British aircraft operating under these most challenging conditions in a single, concise and affordable package.

The 40 colour profiles will provide abundant inspiration for modellers, and the five colour photos on the back cover will settle many arguments about the true nature of the colours Dark Slate Grey and Extra Dark Sea Grey!

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Squadron/Signal Publications for the review sample.

Review Copyright © 2001 by Brett Green
This Page Created on 23 October, 2001
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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