Product Description

The flying boat is a unique form of aircraft, with the ability to operate from sea or river and, in amphibian form, from land too. Over 100 types of British flying boat and amphibian were built during a 40-year period from the days of the pioneer airmen to the advent of the jet engine. Early attempts at flying from water were sometimes fraught, but during World War I the practical military flying boat was steadily developed, serving with the Royal Naval Air Service as an important component in the campaigns waged against the naval forces of Imperial Germany - particularly her U-Boats. The inter-war period witnessed the growth in prominence of civil flying boats as commercial air routes became established worldwide. Light civilian flying boats were produced for use by private owners and modest operators, while the military flying boats of the RAF were many and varied. During World War II the flying boat defended Britain's sea routes around the globe with great success, and British examples were also employed by many of the Allied nations. Yet after the war, the type faded from widespread use and, despite resistance from enthusiasts, by the mid-1950s they had all but disappeared.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #968551 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

About the Author
Peter London has been a regular contributor to the aviation press for 15 years, his previous books include RNAS Culdrose (Sutton. 1999), U-Boat Hunters , Aviation in Cornwall and Saunders Aircraft Since 1917. He is a member of Air Britain and Cross and Cockade. and works for British Aerospace.

Customer Reviews

Factual, in depth, but rather dryly written!
I lost this book in the post between UK & Australia and whilst I miss it as the ultimate reference I have not yet replaced it. It is more a library reference book than a good end to end read unlike Flying Empires.......So if you want the definitive book on the subject this it it, however if your interest is more like mine I would suggest you acquire it as your interest deepens or not if it wanes. I found Corsairville to be perhaps the best book yet on Flying boats but haven't acquired or read many of the others.

5 Stars for depth etc..........