Books by United States Navy

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS VOLUME 1 OF 2. YOU MUST PURCHASE BOTH BOOKS TO HAVE A COMPLETE SET. Developed as both an air superiority fighter and a long-range naval interceptor, Grumman's F-14 Tomcat was the U.S. Navy's primary fighter from 1974 until 2006. Over 700 were built. The F-14 flew its first combat missions shortly after its initial deployment in late 1974, flying in support of the American withdrawal from Saigon. In 1981 it drew first blood, as two F-14s from VF-41 downed two Libyan Su-22s. The plane compiled a notable combat record for the United States in both Gulf Wars and NATO actions in Bosnia. Planes sold to the Shah of Iran prior to his ouster remain the last F-14s in active service, as the U.S. Navy retired it in October 2006. This F-14 pilot's flight operating handbook was originally produced by the U.S. Navy. It has been slightly reformatted but is reproduced here in its entirety. It provides a fascinating view inside the cockpit of one of history's great planes.

Stearman's Kaydet biplane first flew in 1934, and in 1935 the U.S. Navy acquired the aircraft for use as trainers. Within a year the U.S. Army Air Corps followed suit, buying 26 of the airplanes from Boeing (which had acquired Stearman in 1934). Designated the "Model 75", the Army dubbed the two-seat plane the PT-13 and the Navy the NS. With war looming on the horizon, the need for trainers became pronounced; orders in 1940 topped 3500 airframes. By conflict's end in 1945, over 10,000 were built. The Kaydets were simple, rugged aircraft equipped with a radial engine, fabric-covered wooden wings, and single-leg landing gear. The fuselage, which was also fabric-covered, was built of steel. Most models were equipped with either the Lycoming R-680 (PT-13) or Continental R-670 (PT-17) engine, producing a top speed of 124 mph with a 505-mile range. A 255-hp model received the designation PT-18. The Kaydet continued to fly in the post-WWII era as a trainer and cropduster. Approximately 1,000 "Stearmans" are still in service in the present day. Originally created during WWII by the U.S. Navy and Army Air Forces, this pilot manual was standard issue to all cadets. It is reproduced here in its entirety.

The primary goal of the Navy Career Information Program is to ensure each Sailor is provided with a sufficient quantity and quality of career information, in a timely manner, to allow them to make sound career decisions. The foundation of a successful program is the commitment of the chain of command to ensuring every Sailor is provided the guidance and opportunity to succeed.

A redesign of the U.S. Navy's successful Mark 14 torpedo, the Mark 16 was developed during WWII but not available until early 1945 and never saw combat. The Mark 16's design incorporated the best aspects of the Mark 14, and some features of German torpedoes. During twenty years of the Cold War, the Mark 16 served as the Silent Service's standard anti-ship weapon. The Mark 16 was powered by a Navol hydrogen-peroxide and alcohol engine. The warhead carried 732 pounds of HBX-3 Torpex explosive, making it the most powerful non-nuclear torpedo in the U.S. arsenal. Launched from a depth between 10 and 200 feet, the torpedo had a running depth between 10 and 50 feet. It weighed 3782 poundsin war-shot configuration, and was 246 inches in length and 21 inches in diameter. This handbook was created to train torpedomen about the use, maintenance, and handling of the Mark 16. It provides anunprecedented look at the most deadly conventional weapon in the submarine's arsenal. Originally confidential, this handbook is now consideredobsolete, and no longer classified.

Grumman's A-6 Intruder served as the Navy's pre-eminent all-weather, medium attack aircraft from 1963 to 1997. Nearly 700 were built. The Intruder was aptly named, as the A-6 quickly proved it could perform its mission -- flying low and alone in any weather - better than any aircraft of its era. Known for its versatility, the subsonic Intruder also gained a workhorse reputation due to its range, ability to carry vast quantities of ordnance and fuel, and its day and night striking capability.The A-6 served with distinction in Vietnam, where it dropped more ordnance than the B-52. Flying low-level raids, the aircraft was susceptible to ground fire. 84 Intruders were lost, but the toughness of the planes and their pilots made them legendary, and inspired the book and film The Flight of the Intruder. In the years after Vietnam, the aircraft built on its reputation. It served in the skies over Lebanon in support of United Nations actions and flew punitive raids on Libya in 1986, neatly evading over 100 guided missiles in the process. During Operation Desert Storm, the plane logged more than 4,700 combat sorties. The A-6 was retired by the Marine Corps. in 1993, and by the U.S. Navy in 1997. A variant, the EA-6B electronic warfare platform continues to fly. This pilot's manual for the A-6 was originally printed by Grumman and the U.S. Navy. Originally classified "restricted", it has now been declassified and is here reprinted in book form.

Designed as a replacement for the U.S. Navy's F2H Banshee, the McDonnell F3H Demon fighter served with the fleet for nearly a decade, including during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Although it could not fly at supersonic speeds, the Demon served admirably as an all-weather interceptor and flew alongside the F8U Crusader and F11F Tiger. Armed with up to four 20mm cannons, the aircraft could also fire Sidewinder and Sparrow missiles. Over 500 Demons were built. The planes were dubbed "The Chair" by pilots due to its high-visibility cockpit, but it was also called the "lead sled" due to its poor power to weight ratio. The Demon was replaced by the F-4 Phantom in 1964.Originally printed by McDonnell and the U.S. Navy, this F3H Demon Pilot's Flight Operating Instruction manual taught pilots everything they needed to know before entering the cockpit. Originally classified "Restricted", the manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form.

Please note: this is volume two of a two volume set. You must purchase both books to have a complete manual.The U.S. Navy's front line, land-based maritime patrol aircraft, the LockheedP-3 Orion is a highly capable anti-submarine warfare platform. Conceived as a replacement for the P-2 Neptune and P-5 Marlin, the P-3 first flew in 1961. It was loosely based on the design of the L-188 Electra passenger aircraft. Equipped with four Allison T56 turbo-prop engines, the P-3 has the speed of a fast propeller-powered fighter and a range of nearly 2,400 nautical miles. It can remain on station at 1500 feet for three hours with a range of 1,300 nm. The aircraft typically carries three pilots and a crew of eight. Armament capacity is up to 20,000 pounds and can include the AGM-84 Harpoon, AGM-84E SLAM, AGM-84H/K and AGM-65F Maverick.The P-3 has provided reliable service to the U.S. and its allies. In addition to Cold War submarine tracking, its missions have included enforcing the blockade of Cuba during the 1962 crisis, coastal patrols in the VietnamWar, and targeting of Iraqi naval elements during the Gulf War. Over the decades the P-3 has received several major up-dates, and more than forty variants have been developed. It is expected to remain in service for the U.S. Navy until at least 2013 when the P-8 Poseidon begins deployment. This pilot's manual was originally created by Lockheed and the U.S. Navy. It has been declassified and is here made available in book form.

The Douglas SBD Dauntless served as the U.S. Navy's front line dive bomber from the outbreak of WWII thru 1943. Dauntless' proved their mettle at the battles of Coral Sea and Midway, where crews accounted for four Japanese carriers. The plane also saw action in support of the Marines at Guadalcanal. Their last combat stint was at the Battle of the Phillipine Sea in 1944. Originally printed by Douglas and the U.S. Navy during WWII, this Flight Operating Handbook taught pilots everything they needed to know before entering the cockpit. Classified "Restricted", the manual was recently declassified and is here reprinted in book form. This affordable facsimile has been slightly reformatted. Care has been taken however to preserve the integrity of the text.

The definitive technical guide to the submarines of World War II, "The Fleet Type Submarine" was originally published in 1946. Originally classified secret, this legendary book has never been available to the public until now. The Fleet Type Submarine uses the Balao-class USS Perch SS313 to explain submarine operating principles, technologies, and systems. It contains numerous diagrams and photos and offers definitions of components and terminology. It provides descriptions of various systems such as ballast tanks, trim, ventilation and steering. It also contains a brief history of the submarine and a discussion of patrol routines. This book is the most complete technical guide to the boats that won WWII in the Pacific. Nothing close to it was ever assembled before, or since. This affordable reprint comes in a soft bound edition with attractive covers. Although some of the book has been reformatted, and color images are reproduced in black and white, all of the original content is preserved. (A color supplement is also available). This is a must-have for anyone interested in submarines and an important reference for any historian, docent, or modeler.

One of the most widely-used multi-role aircraft of WWII, the Consolidated PBY Catalina was a flying boat to be reckoned with. They were used as anti- submarine warfare platforms in the Atlantic, and gained notoriety in the Pacific as rescue and reconnaisance platforms, and as bombers. With their distinctive fuselages painted the shade of midnight, the "Black Cats" undertook daring raids of Japanese shipping and shore installations. Originally printed by the U.S. Navy during World War 2, this Flight Operating Handbook taught pilots everything they needed to know before entering the cockpit. Classified "Restricted", the manual was recently declassified and is here reprinted in book form. This affordable facsimile has been slightly reformatted. Care has been taken however to preserve the integrity of the text.

Most of the early settlers came by way of the sea, embarking at Mobile and New Orleans. Because of their innocence, or because of a certain love of independence, they entered through whatever ports on the Gulf seemed most expedient. The ports of entry which Mexico attempted to establish for the collection of customs duties were an early cause of friction which contributed to the Texas Revolution. And during the Revolution, the tiny Texas Navy, built around three sloops of war under Commodore Hawkins, was able to establish control of the Gulf of Mexico. These ships were the Independence, the Invincible, and the Brutus. With them Hawkins controlled the sea approaches to Texas, blocked reinforcements to Santa Anna, and contributed in large part to the many difficulties which beset the Mexican Army in its long overland march to the Alamo, Goliad, and San Jacinto Battles of 1836. So it was that Texas established a Naval tradition to stand alongside the brilliant military record achieved on land.- Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz

This study is a dramatic example of how the U.S. Navy's multipurpose ships and aircraft, flexible task organization, and great mobility enabled President Kennedy to protect national interests in one of the most serious confrontations of the Cold War.Curtis A. Utz is currently a historian in the Naval Historical Center's Contemporary History Branch.