The Fleet Air Arm (FAA) of the Royal Navy served with distinction in every theatre 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. FAA Pilots 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 colour 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.

Author Biography

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.