Skip to main content

Free US delivery on orders $35 or over

Osprey Publishing Home

British Aircraft Carriers 1939–45

British Aircraft Carriers 1939–45 cover

Description

With war against Germany looming, Britain pushed forward its carrier program in the late 1930s.

In 1938, the Royal Navy launched the HMS Ark Royal, its first-ever purpose-built aircraft carrier. This was quickly followed by others, including the highly-successful Illustrious class. Smaller and tougher than their American cousins, the British carriers were designed to fight in the tight confines of the North Sea and the Mediterranean. Over the next six years, these carriers battled the Axis powers in every theatre, attacking Italian naval bases, hunting the Bismarck, and even joining the fight in the Pacific.

This book tells the story of the small, but resilient, carriers and the crucial role they played in the British war effort.

Table of Contents

Introduction
The origins of naval aviation, and the growing importance of aircraft carriers in naval warfare.

Design & Development
The chronological development of these Carriers, and covering modifications made during their operational lives.

Operational History
The service history of 14 Fleet Aircraft Carriers.

Carrier Operation
The way aircraft were handled on a typical British wartime fleet aircraft carrier, including a description the way launching operations were conducted.

Carrier Aircraft
The types of aircraft carried by these carriers, and their relative merits, and touches on the way they were used in action.

Carriers in Action
Three actions involving British aircraft carriers; Taranto (1940), Matapan (1941) and the sinking of the Bismarck (1941)

Bibliography

Product details

Published Dec 20 2012
Format Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition 1st
Extent 48
ISBN 9781782008415
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations Illustrated throughout with 40 photos and 8 pages of colour illustrations
Series New Vanguard
Short code NVG 168
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Angus Konstam

Angus Konstam is a Fellow of the Royal Historical…

Illustrator

Tony Bryan

Tony Bryan is a freelance illustrator of many year…

Resources

Discover More

Visit our exclusive member's website to see artwork, maps, and more from this book.

Resources

Book Vote

Tell us what titles you would like to see published by Osprey, then vote for your favourites in our monthly book vote!

Related Titles

Sign up for Osprey membership for access to thousands of plane profiles, maps, battle scenes and more. Plus up to 30% off website purchases