Search Results for: General Interest

What is sewn into a pilot’s uniform when they receive their wings? In what year did the first female jet pilot join the RAF? Why were former Lightning pilots called WIWOLS? For the answers to all these questions and more, take off into this fascinating miscellany and become a true RAF aficionado.
With its famous Supermarine Spitfire and the legendary Red Arrows, the RAF has been a pillar of British military operations since its beginnings in 1918. This new miscellany brings together the origins of the RAF, the people who make it tick and the technology that lets it take to the skies, as well as the aviation lingo and time-honoured traditions that characterise the force we know today. Whether you have first-hand RAF experience or you’re an enthusiastic supporter from the ground, this remarkable volume will be your guide to the oldest independent air force in the world. Chocks away! 

Have you ever wondered…
How the Navy and the Marines came to be ‘royal’? How Samuel Pepys helped professionalise the Navy while at the same time penning his famous diary. What the origins of everyday expressions like ‘toeing the line’, ‘showing
your true colours’ and ‘piping-hot food’ are? Marvel at the magnificent vessels that have always been the backbone of the force, from the Tudor warship Mary Rose to the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, the largest warship ever built for the Royal Navy. Pay homage to the acclaimed naval heroes and the impressive battles that make up its illustrious history, from the Battle of Gravelines which saw off the Spanish Armada to the two world wars of the twentieth century and beyond, via the sea battles of the Napoleonic Wars. And learn about the remarkable people who serve in the Navy’s ranks today as its beating heart, in roles as widespread as conflict-prevention, counternarcotics, counter-piracy and humanitarian and disaster relief, ensuring that the Senior Service will retain its reputation for excellence for generations to come.