Hands to Flying Stations: A Recollective History of Canadian Naval Aviation, Volume One 1945-1955, Volume Two 1955-1969

Hands to Flying Stations: A Recollective History of Canadian Naval Aviation: Volume One 1945-1954, Volume Two 1955-1969; Stuart E. Soward; published by Neptune Developments (1984), Victoria BC, 1993 and 1995. Both presentation copies to different people. The first volume is focused to the creation and development of the newly formed Canadian Naval Air Branch at war’s end in 1945. The British carriers Magnificent and Warrior were transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy. It was not the best of times to form a new branch of the service. The Navy was struggling to convert to a post-war environment faced with budget cuts, a lack of organization, and a mass exodus of trained personnel to a civilian life. Over the years the Canadian Naval Air Branch emerged as a highly motivated, and skilful operational force, achieving a level of effectiveness equal to the best that the Royal Navy and the United States Navy could offer. Volume One is dedicated to the fifty-eight officers and men who were killed during the period covered. The second volume focused on the arrival and history of the HMCS Bonaventure. This volume is dedicated to the forty-three all ranks that were killed in the line of duty during the period covered. The following is taken from the end of the blurb in Volume Two – The destructive policy and poorly conceived implementation of unification seriously threatened the very existence of Canadian Naval Aviation. Then new defence cutbacks, coupled with the negative publicity resulting from the cost over-run of the mid-life refit of Bonaventure, sounded the death knell for Canada’s carrier flying. In December 1969, the last fixed-wing carrier operations ceased when Bonaventure was arbitrarily withdrawn from service. So ended, 23 years of RCN carrier aviation, which, over the years had developed into an internationally recognized first class operational force. As unification continued, the Branch subsequently lost all identity, and was systematically dismembered. These volumes, 340 and 498 pages are well illustrated with black and white photographs and graphics. Volume One is in near-fine condition and volume Two is in fine condition. Both dust jackets are in fine condition and are now enclosed in protective mylar wraps. A very attractive set of books that may require additional postage.…