Float Planes and Flying Boats : The U.S. Coast Guard and Early Naval Aviation

This unified history of all naval aviators describes the interrelationship and mutual support of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Before 1920, the Marine Corps and Coast Guard did not own aircraft; the three sea service's aviators flew Navy aircraft on Navy missions from Navy ships and Navy Air Stations, commanded by Navy and Coast Guard aviators. It was during this unique time that the bond between them was born. This book was born of the frustration of looking for an answer and not finding it; or finding, after a long search, an answer so elementary as to be inadequate. Few, if any, books are written with balanced coverage about sea service events and people living from the beginning of the twentieth century through the volatile times of World War I and aviation's rapid advancement to 1938. The book is documented with 427 endnotes, and features 281 vintage aviation photographic images and a nautical chart of historical note embedded within its text. This balance of photographs and endnote documentation provides both a visual and written history that will come alive for the reader, who will learn that enormous creativity was involved in the birth, development and advancement of Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard air forces and their aircrew's capabilities. About the Author Capt. Robert B. Workman was born in Long Beach, CA, and is married to Gail P. Young of New London, CT. Bob and Gail have two children, seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Bob is a graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, class of 1959.