Professional reading. - book review

0 Comments | Naval Aviation News, Jan, 2002 | by Peter B. Mersky

Cdr. Peter B. Mersky

Goodspeed, M. Hill, Editor-in-chief, U.S. Naval Aviation. Naval Aviation Museum Foundation with Hugh Lauter Levin Associates, Inc., 1750 Radford Blvd., NAS Pensacola, FL 32508, 2001. 352pp. iii. $75.

The latest in an ambitious, attractive series of oversize books, this volume is perhaps one of the finest treatments of the subject I have seen. It shows what can result from combining a knowledgeable editor with access to experienced writer and an almost inexhuastible source if quality photos and art. The price, which can be bettered by various associations offers and book outlets, is still not too high for a work of this caliber. (While I wrote the chapter dealing with U.S. Marine Corps. Aviation. I will address other authors' efforts and let another reviewer discuss my work. I was pleased to participate in the project after seeing the earlier volumes on the Marines and the Navy. A fourth book on the Army has also appeared.)

The layout is good, with outstanding color and black-and-white photography-a large portion of which I have never seen. The layout artist took advantage of the book's large format in combining the text and graphics, along with many fine examples of past and present aviation art.

All the writers have done excellent jobs describing their areas of interest. Editor-in-Chief Hill Goodspeed, a historian at the National Museum of Naval Aviation, coordinated the chapters, as well as writing or co-writing two of them. The Editor, retired LCdr. Rick Burgress, a past editor of this magazine and now managing editor of the Navy League's Sea Power did fine work in pulling things together besides writing or co-writing tow chapters. NA News Associate Editor Wendy Leland provided copyediting on this volume.

Article range from overall views of Navy Marine Corps. And Coast Guard aviation past, present and future to specific essays on topics such as flight gear. One of the book's most unusual chapters chronicles the life-expanding experience of a tour with the Blue Angels. While author Capt. (Radm. Select) Pat Walsh tells the history and rigors of flying with the team, he also includes a personal take on what the experience meant to him. He describes not just the glamour of flying with the Blues, but also meeting people, including an unexpected, moving encounter with veterans at a VA hospital in Fargo, N.D.

Another fine account is Thomas C. Hone's scholarly treatment of aircraft carrier development. Beginning with Langley (CV 1), he writes a succinct, cogent biography of history's most powerful warships. The book is slanted toward tatical carrier aviation, but other communities are not ignored.

The essay by Hill Goodspeed and Rick Burgess on the flight deck and Barrett Tillman's article on the type of person who becomes a Naval Aviator complete a nice "trilogy" on this vibrant, dangerous and highly rewarding carrier. Retired Coast Guard aviator Tom Beard gives a fine account of the development of the rescue service's aircraft and the people who fly them. NANews Art Director Morgan Wilbur describes "A Day in Naval Aviation," showcasting the different communities by fine photos and art. Former fighter pilot Vadm John Nathman, Commander Naval Air Forces, tops off this tour de force with a look at what's ahead.

A terrific example of today's publishing capabilities and what can be presented with expert writes and great photos and illustrations the latest volume of this well-received series is the best. Of course, I'm prejudiced!

Miller, Jerry, Vice Admiral, USN (Ret). Nuclear Weapons and Aircraft Carriers: How the Bomb Saved Naval Aviation. Smithsonian Institution Press, 750 Ninth St. NW, Suite 4300, Washington, DC 20560-0950. 2001, 296 pp. III. $32.95.

This book is an important treatise on Naval Aviation's nuclear delivery role and its struggle to retain that mission for nearly 50 years. The author is a retired senior aviator, who was well placed to experience and observe many of the situations and strategic developments he describes, and he does so with easy-going authority.

VAdm. Miller begins with a lengthy introduction of prominent Navy "gun clubbers," considered opponents of Naval Aviation. His descriptions from a Navy viewpoint of the two atomic bombings of Japan in August 1945 are informative and precise. He writes, "It made sense to assign the mission of delivering the bomb to the Air Force." Noting the demonstrated long-range capability of the B-29, and the large size of the first A-weapons, it was "logical to concentrate the mission in a proven military force. Unfortunately, the Air Force chose not to settle for that mission along." And therein is the main theme of the book: Naval Aviation's fight to secure its future and a piece of the budget pie.

Directly following the above comment, the author quotes Brig. Gen. Frank Armstrong, who took the postwar fight directly to members of the naval base at Norfolk saying. "You gentlemen had better understand that the Army Air Force is tired of being a subordinate outfit. It was a predominant force during the war and it is going to be a predominant force during the peace ... and we do not care whether you like it or not...."