The Fleet Air Arm Handbook 1939-45 is the only comprehensive review available of the Royal Navy's air power during the war years. Starting with a brief history of British naval aviation before the Second World War, the book progresses with a full war diary of all of the major operations, the carriers and aircraft, and the amazing crews involved. Biographical accounts of the major commanders give an insight into what it was like to work as part of the Fleet Air Arm during the war, and a glimpse of their characters. Many airmen were trained by the Navy to save money; other costs were cut by building the essentially strong and needed carriers to much weaker merchant shipping standards. But these light carriers were to become a success; and the rapid expansion of the Fleet Air Arm was one of the major achievements of the war. The author provides a detailed look at the aircraft, squadrons, naval air stations and aircraft carriers, battleships and cruisers. The enthusiast will find excitement in knowing what uniforms were worn by the men, their insignia and examples of flying kit. And how did the carrier force fit in with the rest of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, what was the relationship like at sea between aircrew and their shipmates aboard the RN's carriers? The book ends with a review of what is available at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton.