Nugget On The Flight Deck

Readers are in for a treat as a young nugget prepares for his first hop in a real bird, as well as a complete tour around the Mother ship. They even test their flight skills in a practice dogfight. The lieutenant keeps the jargon flowing during this tour of duty that will have young readers spooled up to use their new vocabulary. Expertly researched and dynamically illustrated, this patriotic adventure is chock full of information for military buffs and aspiring aviators alike.

A novice naval aviator grows into a hero in this gripping and authentic World War II adventure by master storyteller P. T. Deutermann Lieutenant Bobby Steele, USN, is a fresh-faced and eager naval aviator: a "Nugget," who needs to learn the ropes and complex procedures of taking off and returning safely to his aircraft carrier. A blurry night of drinking lands him in an unfamiliar bed aboard the USS Oklahoma; later that day, the Japanese destroy Pearl Harbor. After cheating death and losing his friend in this act of war, the formerly naive Steele vows to avenge the attack. Flying sea battle after battle, Steele survives the most dangerous air combat in World War II, including Midway, is shot down twice, rescued twice, and eventually leads a daring mission to free prisoners from a secluded Japanese POW camp. Packed with authentic military action on land and at sea in the Pacific Theatre of WWII and featuring a memorable protagonist based on a true-life hero, The Nugget is a first-class adventure by a former commander whose family served in the Pacific.

The naval aviation safety review.

In this sequel to Low and Slow, Dario D'Angelo joins up with Pre-Flight buddy Bill Metz in a snake ranch in Coronado--and also in several misadventures in naval aircraft. More of Dario's early life, which molded him into Aviation Officer Candidate material, is covered which explains the surprise inheritance he receives from his father. His college romance with Maria-Rosa Borzillieri is resuscitated, as is another of his former affairs: simultaneously. Deployed aboard the USS GETTYSBURG to the Western Pacific flying AD-5Ns, Dario finds himself, once again, looking down at a senior officer's name plaque. But this time, there's not the ubiquitous mountain--and the officer is an admiral! Dario receives and offer he can't refuse, which results in a thrilling air combat sequence. The Navy was fun! Liberty was great! And--flying from aircraft carriers was life! RADM Roger Box, USN Retired Fighter Pilot and First Commanding Officer of TOPGUN