I don't yet own a James Jackson book, but I know that author is held in respect by those on this website. His forthcoming book on the SEPECAT Jaguar, which (checking just now) I see has been retired by its operators except India, is very tempting: I will have to decide whether to buy a copy, or remain content with the eponymous chapters of my Bill Gunston books Attack Aircraft of the West and Jet Bombers (which included the Jaguar's 1990-91 Gulf War experience).
This Hikoki book Wings Over the Fleet: British Naval Aircraft Since 1945 seems like a must-have; thanks for the notice GTX. Mr Jackson, other than the fact it will include the Fleet Air Arm's new F-35s (and not include WW2 and previous), how does the theme and content of your forthcoming book compare and contrast with, for example, Owen Thetford's British Naval Aircraft Since 1912 in the Putnam Aviation Series? Please comment. Best wishes to you for all your books' success.
I think you'll find the Jaguar book far more thorough that Bill Gunston's chapter, though I guess it boils down how much you like Jaguars as to whether you buy the book or not (I tend to only buy single type books on aircraft I particularly like that I don't have much information on).
If you want a modern version of Owen Thetford's
British Naval Aircraft Since 1912 then David Hobb's latest book (released a few months ago)
Aircraft of the Royal Navy since 1908 is probably the closest analogue, its even arranged in alphabetical order I believe (
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Aircraft-of-the-Royal-Navy-Hardback/p/51070).
Wings Over the Fleet is very similar to other titles within the Hikoki
Since 1945 series with thematic chapters in a broadly chronological order. It starts with the Vampire jet trials, moving on the Sea Hawk and Attacker (I'm not covering the late war piston aircraft, Tony Buttler's
Propeller Twilight should cover your needs for sleek, powerful piston jobs). Then the experiments with rubber decks, angled decks and steam catapults before examining the day fighters, all-weather fighters, strike aircraft, ASW, helicopters, Commando helicopters, AEW, V/STOL and all the way to the current day. It obviously covers aircraft carrier technologies etc. to put the aircraft into their context and at its heart it is a projects book as well as looking at the in service types. But its not an operational history - you won't find detailed accounts of Shar combats over the Falklands for example. There is a good deal of procurement politics involved and it covers a lot of ground as the RN carrier fleet fluctuates in size over the post-war decades. It doesn't dwell too heavily on wider defence politics, this is an aircraft book after all. It offers basic info on carrier studies etc., but again this isn't a naval reference book. Hobbs and others have covered this area and Friedman's forthcoming two-volume set will (hopefully) be a fairly definitive work on the subject (
British Carrier Aviation being long overdue a refresh).
Anyone who is familiar with the AH section of the forum knows how emotive this topic is, I don't make any judgements, I leave the reader to do that.
And a shout out to forum member
@CiTrus90 (Luca Landino) for the excellent cover 3D artwork - which features in the Jaguar book as well (hinting at the range of projects covered in that book, there are other CiTrus90 artworks in the Jag book). Although not a member here, a shout out to Luciano Alviani who painted six artworks of a range of the naval projects - they are pretty striking (if anyone wants to see a PD.13 lobbing a Red Beard towards a Soviet task force, here is your chance!), anyone who already owns one of Chris Gibson's
Hikoki's or Blue Envoy
Tech Profiles or my T
each for the Sky will know Luciano's work.
crecy.co.uk
