The Golden Era of Naval Aviation: An Aviator's Journey, 1939-1959 [Paperback]

Lieutenant Commander A.M. Granat United States Navy (Retired) (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 6, 2006

The Golden Era of Naval Aviation: An Aviator's Journey, 1939-1959 is a personalized account of an aviator's journey through twenty years of Naval Aviation. Author Lieutenant Commander A.M. "Mike" Granat, United States Navy (Retired) takes you into a world little-known or experienced by the average individual. Those early days of flight training will carry you along on apprehensive days of reaching for those coveted "Wings of Gold". Laced with humor, suspense and a bit of romance, the years span oceans and continents, East and West, North and South. From the vast expanse of the South Pacific flying Patrol Bombers during World War II, to the Far East in Military Transports; Alaska operations as an Air/Sea Rescue pilot, to carrier duty in a Fighter Squadron. Duties as a Flight Deck Officer will have you shivering on icy decks off the coast of Greenland while sweltering in the steamy Mediterranean and Caribbean. Reliving the days as a Flight Instructor leaves one with the taste of the interaction between student aviator and the instructor. The author depicts an age in Naval History that will never be repeated - the story of the early propellor aircraft to the coming of the jets. A transition, fueled by WWII that was remarkable. No time in Naval Aviation saw such extraordinary changes in so short a period. He relives it all in his own words and shares with the reader a saga of progress and achievement unmatched in aviation history.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

From a land of "Hot Rods" and surfboards, this Southern California youth of the 1930s is suddenly thrust into the fiery cauldron of World War II. Surviving the tumultuous skies of the South Pacific conflict, he continues to pursue a post-war career as a Naval Officer and Aviator.

Fulfilling the Navy Recruiter's theme, "Join the Navy and see the World", his travels take him and his family on many diverse and interesting assignments. His retirement from the Naval Service is followed by a second career as an Aeronautical/Astronautical engineer in the Aerospace industry.

He now resides with his wife of sixty years in Poulsbo, Washington - both enjoying varied creative interests together.

Product Details

• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing (July 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1553695593
• ISBN-13: 978-1553695592
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,867,761 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Golden Career in a Goden Age, December 20, 2006

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Golden Era of Naval Aviation: An Aviator's Journey, 1939-1959 (Paperback)

First I want to talk a little bit about the way this book is published. I suspect that Mike Granat sent the manuscript of this book to several mainstream publishers and got a series of rejection slips for his effort. In the old days that would have been the end of this book. Undeterred, he then turned to a so called 'on-demand' publisher that has newer sophisticated equipment that allows them to publish books in very low volumes, and just in time to meet the demand from customers. This type of publishing, combined with the power of Amazon and the internet allows this book to see the light of day when it otherwise probably wouldn't.

And this is good, because this is an excellent book. Mike enlisted in the Navy in November of 1939. Because of the long waiting list he went into the Aviation Machinist School, and over the next couple of years alternated various technical schools with squadron duty in a flying boat squadron.

Nine days after the attack he was at Pearl Harbour and soon thereafter was in the South Pacific in a PBY 'Catalina' unit. These were the lean times when aircraft were hard to get. Their squadron flew endless patrols, and began to take the fight to the Japanese using bombs and torpedoes. This became the famous 'Black Cats' that attacked at night coasting in at very low engine power to reduce the noise.

In 1943 Flight Training finally opened up and he became a pilot, an officer and a gentleman. This began a career in Naval Aviation unlike many others. He flew in over 30 different types of aircraft from a 150 HP Culver Cadet to the Lockheed Super Constellation with four 3200 HP engines. Included were fighters (Hellcat, Bearcat, Tigercat, early jets), flying boats (PBY, Albatross) and more transports than I could count.

I was reminded again and again of the old saying that flying is 99+% boredom, and moments of sheer terror.

Mike is correct that this was indeed the Golden Era of Naval Aviation. Never again will there be such rapid advances in technology, so massive efforts at putting out a Navy of this size. This is a most interesting book showing a side of the Naval service not seen by outsiders.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great story, September 4, 2010

By 

Robert Bogash "rbogash2" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Golden Era of Naval Aviation: An Aviator's Journey, 1939-1959 (Paperback)

What a great book! I maintain a large and quite popular website, mainly devoted to aviation. It generates lots of emails from strangers, many of whom become friends. Mike, the author of this book, falls into that category. I had just restored a Lockheed Constellation for the Museum of Flight in Seattle, and the four+ year endeavor, is covered in detail on my website ([...]). Mike flew Super Connies, found my website, and sent me an email. When we found we lived close to each other, we got together to swap stories. He presented me with an autographed copy of his book. It's excellent - very easy reading and fast-paced, and I finished it in 2 evenings. I learned quite a bit - including the story of the NAPs - enlisted men trained as pilots in the Navy - something I didn't know before. In many ways, our stories, while completely different, share much in common - flying many different airplanes, living and working in far-flung places. Having worked and flown in the Arctic for some years, I especially liked his Adak experiences. All in all, the Navy provides amazing job opportunities and varying responsibilities that create a superb officer and well-rounded individual - a real asset to our country. His story is not unique - but most do not write down their memories - and this gives us a window into the lives of many other people.

Thanks, Mike - for a fine book, and for your years of service. And now, -- for your friendship.

3.0 out of 5 stars The Golden Era of Naval Aviation: An Aviator's Journey, 1939-1959, July 25, 2011

By 

chris maggio (Skagway, AK United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Golden Era of Naval Aviation: An Aviator's Journey, 1939-1959 (Paperback)

The fact that this is a very poor publication (quality of photos very poor) shouldn't keep readers from thoroughly enjoying this fine read.