Keith Abnett served in the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) from 1961 until 1985, initially as an artificer apprentice reaching the rank of Aircraft Engineering Warrant Officer. He was predominately part of the ‘fixed wing’ element (Sea Vixens, Phantoms and Sea Harriers) maintaining and managing in a variety of engineering capacities. He led the team that maintained the helicopters flown by HRH Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, whilst in the RN. Keith served on five different aircraft carrier types: HMS Ark Royal, Bulwark, Hermes, Illustrious and the mighty ‘Sara’, the USS Saratoga. From a young age and following retirement from the FAA, he has keenly studied both the historical and future developments of the UK’s Naval Air Service.
This book uncovers many hidden facts and untold stories of the Fleet Air Arm (FAA), shedding light on its remarkable history, much of which has not been widely published. It offers a concise yet vivid account of how the Royal Navy’s Air Service (RNAS) evolved over the years, shaped by over a centu...