A complete illustrated history, from Zeppelins and seaplane carriers to V/STOL and nuclear-powered warships, by Bernard Ireland with Francis Crosby

This impressive, newly-updated encyclopedia is both a fascinating history of aircraft carrier development, and its increasingly important role in both naval and land-base warfare, and a well documented visual directory of more than 150 of the world’s aviation ships spanning a period of almost 120 years.

The book’s coverage assumes an aircraft carrier is ‘a ship whose primary function is to operate aircraft’ and includes, at one end of the chronological scale kite balloon ships and airships, and at the other, the many types of modern warships that carry aircraft such as variable-geometry jets, V/STOL aircraft and helicopters.

Each directory entry includes a specification panel detailing date of commission, displacement, dimensions, types of aircraft carried, armament, machinery, performance and complement.

Illustrated throughout, the book provides a wealth of information for anyone interested in naval aviation history.

About the Authors

Bernard Ireland spent 30 years in ship research for the Admiralty in the Royal Navy Scientific Service. He is the author of over 25 specialist naval books.

Francis Crosby is a well-respected author of military books and military advisor to the media industry.