If any naval aviator, or anyone interested, wants to read a witty, perceptive, colourful, comprehensive hostory of the twentieth century Fleet Air Arm from Inskip to the Phantom F4, from biplanes to heavyweight fast jets, then here it is.

G F Liardet

Complete with a fascinating personal postscript added by his wife, Joan with extracts from a good selection of his letters, illustrating various facets of his character.
The book is nicely illustrated with a very good selection of photographs. Overall it is well produced by Seaforth and strongly recommended.

Scuttlebutt Edition No51

Well-written in a readable style.

Warship World

Thoroughly recommended

Northern Mariner

'They Gave Me a Seafire' charts the service career of Commander R. Mike Crosley, who fought not only in the Second World War, but also in the Korean War, and was a test pilot for the Royal Navy for 20 years. The fascinating publication details Mike's incredible capacity for survival, and sheer skill as a pilot, which were remarked on at the time, securing him a number of decorations. The book looks set to bring the endeavours of Commander Crosley to a whole new generation of enthusiasts, and it should appeal across the board to fans of aviation, naval history and families and friends of Armed Forces, past and present.

Island Life Magazine.

As seen in the Isle of Wight County Press.

Isle of Wight County Press

Overall a very good read and a must for anyone who wants to know what it was really like to take to their air during the war.

Martime Quest

This is a very valuable account by a Fleet Air Arm pilot who served through WWII and it is also a remarkably rare account. Highly recommended.

Firetrench

If you have not already read this superb book, this is the perfect opportunity to right a wrong. If you have read it, introduce a friend or younger type who has not yet had the pleasure! It remains one of the most honest, candid and truly delightful memoirs I have read. This new edition, with the postscript, is the perfect memorial to one of the Fleet Air Arm's greats.

Aircrew Book Review

I write this as a fellow ex Fleet Air Arm pilot: This is simply an awesome book. Mike Crosley became a test pilot after the Second World War and as a result of his expertise he is able to give a very frank account of the Spitfire/Seafire as a flying machine and weapon of war. Evidently the Spitfire was not ideally suited to maritime and carrier operations. It's requirement for wind over the deck was very limiting for the gutless ships it was based on. It was fascinating to read the accounts of operations, particularly off Italy, where whole squadrons of aircraft would be destroyed in landing accidents over a period of 48 hours. For anyone interested in the Spitfire, Seafire, Fleet Air Arm and carrier operations and/or flight test this book is a must have. Highly recommended.

Christopher Taylor