San Diego's North Island is one of the most significant venues of aviation in the world. Starting in 1911, it was the home to one of the nation's first aviation schools, founded by Glenn Curtiss, who pioneered seaplane flight. He trained the nucleus of America's future air forces there, including Lt. Theodore Ellyson, the first naval aviator. When the United States entered World War I, the government took over the island with plans to build a training center for the nation's armed forces. The new army base was named Rockwell Field, and the navy portion was named Naval Air Station San Diego. By 1937, the army had moved out, and the navy became the sole tenant. Today NAS North Island is part of the largest aerospace-industrial complex in the navy and is headquarters for the Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
A survey of aviation in San Diego's North Island, this volume offers a collection of photos drawn from the San Diego Air and Space Museum. Pescador, an archivist at the San Diego Air and Space Museum, and Aldrich, a historian, provide descriptions for b&w photos from 1911, when one of the country's first aviation schools was opened there, to 1941, when the navy prepared for the war and new aircrafts and tactics were used. Chapters also cover the naval airfield and civilian visitors to the island, such as Charles Lindbergh. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
