The book, Aeronautics: Sailers In The Sky, published on the anniversary of its 50th year, represents an article excerpted from the August, 1961 National Geographic Magazine issue (Volume 120 Pages 276 - 296).  In this article, the author chronicles the history of naval aviation from its inception in 1911 up through 1961.  He makes the point that at its peak in World War II, there were 60,747 aviators operating in the United States Navy.  Naval aviation evolved from mainly a a scouting force in World War I into an offensive combat weapon by the begining of World War II.  It was during this timeframe that it slowly dawned on the U.S. Navy brass that the days of the battleship as the primary capital ship were gone and replaced forever by the carrier task force.  This in turn facilitated the expansion of Naval aviation.  The original article highlighted the first 50 years of naval aviation in both a narrative and pictorial format.  Included are approximately 5 rare color photographs, 29 vintage black and white photographs and 1 color illustration.  This excerpted publication of the original National Geographic Magazine article was produced with a special "hard-back" cover which was often acquired by schools for their libraries.  This example was purchased through a school book sale in Michigan, U.S.A. and has the original school rubber stamp on the cover.  This book is 40 pages and is in excellent condition.  The author is Vice Admiral Patrick N.L. Bellinger U.S.N. (Ret.).  Edition published in August, 1961.