Specialty Press

Clear the Deck! Naval Aviation Accidents of World War II

by  Cory Graff

Reviewed By  Rick Bellanger, IPMS# 35520

MSRP: $16.95 ISBN 10: 1580071198 ISBN 13: 9781580071192 www.specialtypress.com This has to be one of the most interesting books I have ever read. I started reading it and couldn't put it down. The subject of this book is about carrier flight operations and the drama of crippled aircraft, trying to make it home. The book relates to one of the most dangerous places on earth, the Carrier Flight Deck. Where there was no time to lose, no alternate airfield and absolutely no room for error. The book Showcases many never-before-published, amazing and dramatic, WWII era, US Navy Aircraft that are either battle damaged, had accidents or thru normal flight operations, the hazards of a carrier flight deck. The book begins with a brief history of Eugene Ely (the first aviator to launch and land on a US Navy Vessel) to the Brewster Buffalo to the ultimate fighters of WWII. It is divided into sections/ chapters each emphasizing on a specific airplane. You have chapters on Wildcats, Avengers, Corsairs, SBD's, Hellcats and many more. Even some on Tigercats and Bearcats! All of this is superbly illustrated with captions that describe each photo. Many were taken just seconds after the incident. To the modeler there are many diorama possibilities that can be made. Overall, a fascinating read on a subject matter that you usually only see in a video mode and then the same ones over and over. If you have any fascination for this sort of subject than this book is a definite got-to-have book This book courtesy of Specialty Press, (www.specialtypress.com) , you can order it on line or at 1-800-895-4585.

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