This title is an illustrated guide to the development of the aircraft as an instrument of naval power from its inception in the early 20th century to the modern day. Naval warfare was transformed by airpower, but it was a hit and miss process. The Royal Navy pioneered the use of aircraft carriers during World War I, but famously lost Prince of Wales and Repulse to land based Japanese bombers in 1941. From the early days of airships and bi-planes, the carrier planes of the Pacific to the very latest in carrier based strike aircraft, and anti-submarine helicopters, Bernard Ireland reveals how airpower has revolutionized naval warfare. This authoritative book combines detailed development histories, specifications and stories of successes and failures with Tony Gibbon's illustrations of ships and aircraft that dominated the seas. Computer-generated artwork shows how each weapon system functioned alongside dramatic photos from the 1920s to the present day showing the range of naval aircraft in use around the world.