High Hulls

For a time, the flying boat was seen as the way of the future. These aircraft, so strange and foreign to the modern mind, once criss-crossed the world and fulfilled essential military roles. In his latest book for Fonthill, Charles Bain looks at the golden age of the flying boat, when these sometimes strange and often beautiful vessels spanned the globe. These vessels-a combination of ship and airplane-found themselves working as patrol aircraft, passenger aircraft, transports, and even as combat aircraft.

This volume contains their stories, from memorable aircraft such as the Short Sunderland and Boeing 314 Clipper, to the craft that roamed the Pacific Theatre of the Second World War, to forgotten giants from Saunders-Roe and even strange jet fighters that once landed like ducks. It even includes the flying boat that has not let time get in the way of doing its job-the Martin Mars. Each of these aircraft has a story worthy of the telling, and often a memorable role to play in the history of aviation. High Hulls delves deeply into a long-vanished part of aviation's golden age.

About the Author

Charles Bain is a long-time student of history and teacher, residing in Canada. He attained a Master's of History and a Bachelor's of Education at the University of Windsor, to share his passion for history. Though he finds all history to be fascinating, the history of aviation, in particular the period between 1903-1953, has always been his first historical love. He enjoys interacting with students and audiences of all ages on a variety of topics. This is his second book for Fonthill, the first being Rare Birds on lesser-known World War II aircraft.