When the navy took to the air : the experimental seaplane stations of the Royal Naval Air Service /Philip MacDougall.

"During the years leading up to the First World War, the Royal Navy was at the forefront of change in the field of aviation. When conflict broke out, military aircraft were now needed to defend the fleet, participate in tactical air strikes in enemy territory, and secure Britain against Zeppelin raiders. Presented with a totally new and revolutionary weapon in the aeroplane, the work of several experiemntal airfields and seaplane stations became crucial to the success of these operations. Flexistowe and the Isle of Grain took the lead role in developing new aircraft and aerial weaponry, as well as making ground-breaking advances in navigational systems, air-to-ground radio communication, and deck-board ship landings. Having assembled an elite group of aviation experts and hotshot pilots, these air stations made a vital contribution to the outcome of the war as theyw itnessed the enormous cost, both economic and human, to complete this necessary advance in the fight against enemy forces. This book examines the importance of the Royal Naval Air Service, with first-hand quotes from the pilots and technical pioneers who made such bold leaps forward in thise xperimental era of naval aviation, and detailed coverage of the various successes and failures that these brave and ambitious servicemen faced. When the Navy Took to the Air is the untold story of how, under the pressure of war, the British Navy pushed aviation to the limit."--Provided by the publisher.