Reviews (1)

Production Line to Frontline, the story of the P-51 Mustang
A book for WWII aircraft and modeling enthusiasts. Great little softcover which starts with the circumstances and people leading into the design, developement and prototype testing of the P-51, argueably the mostsuccessfull allied fighter plane of that war. Not a page without a topquality black and white photograph or funky color prints of war propagandaposters. Lots of close up shots of technical details as well as factorylayouts, assembly line photographs,windtunnel testing info, and gossip onthe people involved in this machine's inseption. Well balanced writing,mixing engineering info, historical snaps and human anecdote,ending in ashort chapter featuring a number of fighter aces who flew the Mustang.Madefor three satisfyingevenings of reading.Give us more Michael O'Leary! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Military    4. Military - Aviation    5. Military - General    6. Military - Pictorial    7. Military - World War II    8. Military Aircraft - World War II    9. Military Science    10. Air forces & warfare    11. Aircraft: general interest    12. Aviation manufacturing industry    13. History / Military / Aviation    14. History of engineering & technology    15. Military vehicles    16. Second World War, 1939-1945    17. USA   

Subjects:  1. Aerial operations    2. Campaigns    3. History    4. History - Military / War    5. Military    6. Military - Aviation    7. Military - Strategy    8. Military - World War II    9. Pacific Area    10. World War, 1939-1945    11. Battles & campaigns    12. Second World War, 1939-1945    13. World history: Second World War   

Reviews (6)

Another outstanding contribution
Another outstanding contribution to 20th Century military history by the Univ. of Kansas Press. God bless them, they publish some great monographs. Proessors Corum and Muller of the School of Advanced Airpower Studies at Mawell A.F.B. know more about the Luftwaffe than any people in the world, except maybe Horst Boog in Germany. And since all you can get by Boog is the incredibly expensive volume he worked on in the WWII history they are writing in Germany, I am very happy with Profs. Corum & Muller. I wonder if they are happy at Maxwell A.F.B. or would rather be at some Big 10 school writing their stuff? Anyway, Corum's book is an excellent look at how the German operational air war was created. Quite readable, it has flat out some of the best general discussion on the Spanish Civil War I have ever read, going beyond just air operations. Corum understands that air operations necessarily include strategic, tactical, and naval operations, and goes into German naval air operations even while the Kriegsmarine itself put so little effort into a fleet air arm. Good discussions of all of the key characters, and this is another book that makes it clear that someone has to get around to writing a book on Manfred von Richtofen. This book is not for the casual WWII reader, and coming to it with some knowledge of German air types is helpful. All in all I enjoyed the book, and would recommend it to students of the Luftwaffe or WWII air operations in general.

THE MAKING OF THE LUFTWAFFE
James S. Corum has written a scholarly study of German air power ideas and operational doctrine in a well-researched history of the German air power from 1918-1940. In addition, the text provides an understanding of the human dimension in the development of the Luftwaffe beyond the usual stories of Herman Goring and the Nazis. A Thorough Analysis of Luftwaffe Doctrinal Development
The focus of this book is on the interwar development of German air operational doctrine.Corum demonstrates that the Luftwaffe was not just a ground support air force but capable of strategic operations, including air transport (Franco's troops in 1936) and airborne assaults.In fact, he points out that Anglo-American obsession with strategic bombardment hindered their operational doctrines until 1942-3.Corum points out the biggest German deficiencies as lack of a true naval air arm that could have been decisive in fighting Britain, Udet's obsession with dive-bombers that delayed the deployment of the He-177 and the Ju-88 and strategic misdirection from Goering/Hitler.There are two interesting chapters on lessons from the First World War and the Spanish Civil War.Also interesting is discussion of how the Germans were able to develop not only doctrine, but new fighter and bomber designs under the noses of the Allied occupation forces.The one area in which the Allies succeeded in inhibiting the Luftwaffe was in limiting the German civil aviation industry's engine development programs; when the Luftwaffe went public there were very few engines to choose from and these were less-advanced than Allied models.Weak engines plagued a number of German aircraft designs.There are no maps. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Aeronautics, Military    3. Air Forces    4. Air power    5. Europe - Germany    6. Germany    7. History    8. History - Military / War    9. History: World    10. Luftwaffe    11. Maneuver warfare    12. Military - Aviation    13. Military - World War I    14. Military - World War II    15. Air forces & warfare    16. Defence strategy, planning & research    17. European history: from c 1900 -    18. Inter-war period, 1918-1939    19. Second World War, 1939-1945   

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Military    4. Military - Aviation    5. Air forces & warfare    6. History / Military / Aviation    7. Naval forces & warfare    8. USA    9. World history: Second World War   

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Military    4. Military - Aviation    5. Military - World War II    6. Military Aircraft - World War II    7. Photoessays & Documentaries    8. Photography Of Specific Subjects    9. Air forces & warfare    10. Aircraft: general interest    11. Second World War, 1939-1945    12. Transportation / Aviation / History   

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Military    4. Military - Aviation    5. Military - World War I    6. Air forces & warfare    7. European history: First World War    8. First World War, 1914-1918    9. Germany    10. History / Military / Aviation   

Reviews (1)

Definitive History of the first Dora-9 Pilots in Action!
Wow!! This magnificent book by author Axel Urbanke chronicles the life and times of the Focke Wulf pilots of III/JG 54 and two associated gruppen of JG 26 in the 1944-45 timeframe. III/JG 54 was the first Luftwaffe unit to be supplied with the newly introducedFocke Wulf D-9 model, the long-nosed "Dora." III/JG 54 saw heavy action in the last years of the war, ceaselessly opposing Allied bomber raids. Their story, as such, is representative of all Luftwaffe pilots in the West.
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Subjects:  1. History - Military / War    2. Military    3. Military - World War II    4. Air forces & warfare    5. Aircraft: general interest    6. Biography: general    7. European history: Second World War    8. Germany    9. History    10. Second World War, 1939-1945   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Airplane factories    3. Equipment and supplies    4. History    5. History - Military / War    6. Military    7. Military - Aviation    8. Military - World War II    9. Military Science    10. Pictorial works    11. Sources    12. United States    13. World War, 1939-1945    14. American history: Second World War    15. History / Military / World War II    16. The Americas   

Subjects:  1. Aviation - History    2. History    3. Military    4. Military - Aviation    5. Military History - Post 1945    6. Transportation    7. Aeronautics - History    8. Air forces & warfare    9. Aircraft: general interest    10. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000    11. Transportation / Aviation / History   

Reviews (4)

Yes, indeed Corky Meyer flew in company with angels!
I first met Corky a year ago when composing a free lance article for a local New York Times magazine publication.Without a doubt, he is an interesting individual, with unique talents and adventures so vividly expressed throughout this book.He dramatically lays out his life's love of flying and, the reader will capiture the essence of just how his personality and manner of expression undoubtedly guided Grumman throughout its hayday years.Anyone possessing the least interest in aviation and such an important phase of American history, should reward themselves by reading Corky's Flight Journal

great story of Corky's life.
My father flew with Corky as a crew chief checking out TBFs for navy acceptance. He said he was a great guy and the book shows how true that is.

Miracle
This book is a miracle. The miracle is that the author lived to write it.
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Subjects:  1. Airplanes, Military    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. General    5. History    6. Military    7. Military - Aviation    8. Test pilots    9. Testing    10. United States    11. History / Military / Aviation   

Subjects:  1. Europe - Great Britain - General    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. Military    5. Military - Aviation    6. Military - World War II    7. Military Science    8. Aerospace & aviation technology    9. History / Military / Aviation   

Reviews (35)

War in South Pacific
I bought this book, and the companion book, Fire in the Sky by the same author. I bought them becasue my father spent from May 1942 until near the end of the war in the South Pacific. These books are NOT cronological history books, but rather an IN DEPTH discussion of why the US won and why the Japanese lost. Most of the book is taken up with quotes from the veterans who fought the war. Fire in the Sky had a few pages of quote from one of my Dad's friends from the 17th Weather Squadron.

A well-written and highly detailed review of the Pacific air war
"Fire in the Sky" is an extraordinarily detailed yet highly readable account of the air war in the South Pacific. Whilelengthier than its predecessor--"Touched With Fire," a chronicle of the land war in that godforsaken portion of the Pacific theatre of operations--Dr. Bergerud's book is an excellent companion volume and is a must-read for anyone who has read "Touched With Fire" or who is a student either of the South Pacific battles of World War II or of airpower. The impact of both Allied and Japanese airpower--bombers, fighters, and the all-important but unsung transport services--are analyzed in keen detail, along with the effects of radar and antiaircraft units. Interspersed throughout, as in Dr. Bergerud's prior works, are compelling and captivating first-person interviews and vignettes with veterans. The book also provides full justice to the other "half" of the Allied airpower team whose story is somewhat less well known in the U.S., the Royal Australian and Royal New Zealand Air Forces, but whose contributions were most impressive and served as another critical tool for Allied victories over Japan in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. It is hard for this reader to imagine any future book that would be the last word on this topic or excel over Dr. Bergerud's well-written (and incredibly well-researched) text.

My favorite history on the Pacific airwar
I just re-read this entire volume after purchasing it when it was first released.A thorough examination of the South Pacific campaign, specifically the Solomon Islands airwar.Excellent first-hand accounts from both sides of the conflict.As one reads the narrative, one can feel the momentum shift as the U.S. begins it's technological and numerical ascendency of aircraft types over the Japanese.Yet, pilot skill was still ultimately paramount as well as combat technique and even culture.Very highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. History: World    4. Military - Aviation    5. Military - World War II    6. Military Aircraft - World War II    7. Military Science    8. Military Tactics And Strategy    9. Air forces & warfare    10. Second World War, 1939-1945    11. South Pacific    12. World history: Second World War   

Reviews (3)

Operation Overflight: A Memoir of the U-2 Incident
This book is certainly a must have for the Cold War, Military Aviation and Spy afficionados out there!While the authors did their best to make the most of what little details Powers did/could provide them - especially about the actual missions he flew for the CIA - they failed to do justice to the historical significance of the event. Powers' actual flights and missions in the U-2 are not discussed in great detail (they never even mention the plane's actual altitude, there are no details about the U-2 except for some hearsay info on its imagined structural integrity (or lack thereof), and they assigned less than a page to discuss the other "special missions"), and there are very few details about the mission the book was actually written about.What you will nevertheless be able to read in detail about are his time spent in Russian prisons, the KGB interrogations, or his kind Latvian roomate Zigurd in Vladimir prison.The final section of the book is spent on the well-justified trashing of the CIA (afterall they gave him the shaft the same way NASA did to the Apollo 13 crew), and Powers provides some great insights into the personal dealings of the Agency.Reading it today, Powers' observations were way ahead of their time! You'll appreciate Powers Jr's epilogue that puts the entire book in perspective.Overall it is a great book, the only first-hand account of the U-2 incident you'll ever have, and as a matter of fact, I'll go and read it again!

The U-2 Incident with Francis Gary Powers:
The Flt of the U-2 is a most inspiring book. I sat on the edge of my seat while reading it and finished it in one sitting wishing there was more to read, but happy that the Russians got their "just day in court" and finally Francis Gary Powers was exchanged for Rudolph Abel. Such a high flying plane, to be shot out of the skies, is unreal to me - what went wrong? No matter what Powers' wrote, we will never know the complete truth, will we? Thank God he came home safe, as he *almost* gave his life forhis country. A well done book and may he rest in peace as his son recounts his father's service to his country. God Bless. Trish Schiesser, whose brother SSGT Phil Noland served in the USAFSecurity Service during the time Powers took off and went missing in Russia.
An espionage reader
Enjoyed it immensely. A hard to put down, revealing look at thishistorical, military, political event of the 1960's. Covering some of Power's CIA training, U2 overflights, downing & capture, Russian trial(farse), imprisonment, possible Oswald & other defectors connection to the U2 shoot down, repatriation through a trade of a pro Russian, US held spy and some of Power's life afterwards. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1929-    2. Aerial Operations    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Cold War    5. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    6. History    7. History: American    8. Intelligence Operations    9. Military    10. Military - Aviation    11. Military - Intelligence/Espionage    12. Military Science    13. Powers, Francis Gary,    14. U-2 Incident, 1960    15. Air forces & warfare    16. American history: postwar, from c 1945 -    17. Biography & Autobiography / Military    18. Biography: historical    19. Military intelligence    20. Powers, Francis Gary    21. USA   

Reviews (19)

Very nice book
I found this book a must have for every one interested in aircraft recognition. Virtually all aircraft we can spot has info about it. The photographs are small, however don't forget this is a pocket guide, very handy to take with you everywhere you go...

Was this book proofed?
It's my fault I bought this book.I all too briefly flipped through it at the bookstore, quickly noting the lack of some details in the specifications.I thought I could tolerate these omissions.I regret that decision now.
Excellent Book
This is a great book and the title explains it well.My only complaint is the Boing/Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche was omitted even with a picture of it on the back cover. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aviation - General    2. History - Military / War    3. Military - Aviation    4. Military Aircraft    5. Military Science    6. Reference    7. Transportation    8. Transportation / Aviation / History   

Reviews (2)

Very good book, with a lot of details and information
I like books with engineering details, and this one is fairly good on that front.Also has a lot of information on the different deployments, as well as countries that have deployed the A-4.

wonderful monograph on a classic post-WWII warplane
This volume is one of the best and most complete monographs in a single volume on a post-WWII military jet.It is well written and misses no aspect of the Skyhawk's long and varied military career or the details of its engineering and operation with a multitude of air arms.The history starts in in the early 1950s and continues to virtually today.The descriptions of its superb design and build, that made the "Scooter" a favorite with pilots for 50 years, is all here.The book reads well, is informative and I found it free of noticeable mistakes. The artwork of 20 color profiles, in many of its various plumages, by Dave Windle, is amongst the best in this kind of volume anywhere.The many photos, primarily color, are also excellent.I highly recommend this book to all with an interest in post-War military aircraft or just fans of great airplanes. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aviation - General    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. Military    5. Military - Aviation    6. Military Science    7. Air forces & warfare    8. Aircraft: general interest    9. History / Military / Aviation   

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Military    4. Military - Aviation    5. Air forces & warfare    6. European history: First World War    7. Germany    8. History / Military / Aviation   

Subjects:  1. Aerial Operations    2. Aerial operations, British    3. Coastal Command    4. Germany    5. Great Britain    6. History    7. History - Military / War    8. History: World    9. Merchant marine    10. Military - General    11. Military - World War II    12. Military Aircraft - World War II    13. Royal Air Force    14. World War, 1939-1945    15. Air forces & warfare    16. Europe    17. European history: Second World War    18. Political Science / International Security    19. Second World War, 1939-1945    20. United Kingdom, Great Britain    21. World history: Second World War   

Reviews (10)

Good Book.
THis is a wonderful book. So many photographs telling his life story. This is a must book fro any person who likes history.

Mislead
I purchased this book after hearing about Hans Ulrich Rudel some years ago, I actually thought the book was going to be a full story about the man, but the book has mainly photo's so aout five the photo's rate a 5/5 but the biography 2/5

A Great Historical Account Tarnished
I found this book to be both facinating and detailed. Rudel's bravery and skill can not be debated. I came away from the book with a better understanding of how and why the Germans fought. Rudel writes effectively that the German fighting man was fighting for his family and country--not the ideals of the Nazi party and derived his courage from his comrades. Towards the end of the war, he claimed to have known nothing of the Nazi attrocities that were committed upon the Jews and many other ethnic groups.
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Subjects:  1. Air pilots, Military    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. General    5. Germany    6. Germany.    7. History: World    8. Luftwaffe    9. Military Aircraft - World War II    10. Rudel, Hans Ulrich    11. Air forces & warfare    12. Aircraft: general interest    13. History of engineering & technology    14. Second World War, 1939-1945    15. World history: Second World War   

Reviews (4)

Beautifully illustrated
The author of this book has managed to find a lot of great photos of various B-47s in different configurations.It's a nice large format book with high-quality printing.Definitely worth getting if you are interested in this aircraft.

Boeing's B-47 Stratojet
This book arrived very quickly and was in perfect condition.We are very pleased with your service.

Breakthrough
As a child, my family often drove through Plattsburgh and once stopped at the former SAC base. There sat "The Pride of the Adirondacks", a B-47 on permanent display at a quiet park by Lake Champlain. It was striking. Its sleek, graceful lines and shiney aluminum marked it as thoroughly modern. Decades after its last flight, it was still poised to take-off.
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Subjects:  1. Aviation - History    2. B-47 bomber    3. History - Military / War    4. Military - Aviation    5. Military - United States    6. Military Aircraft    7. Military Science    8. Transportation    9. United States History (Specific Aspects)    10. Air forces & warfare    11. Aircraft: general interest    12. Transportation / Aviation / Piloting & Flight Instruction    13. USA   

Reviews (4)

Going Downtown
I was fortunate that a good friend gave me this book.One of the best damn books I've ever read.It should be part of civics instruction for every high school student because, in real life and dramatic fashion, it teaches us two great lessons.First, in a Republic such as ours, the voting citizen needs to be vigilant of the political use of our military.Vietnam was a tough lesson, costing 60,000 young Americans their life.Second, in times of peace in the military, the flotsam rises to the top.Again, it requires vigilance from the citizen, demanding our politicians provide the civilian leadership that will promote and nurture the warrior class.
Wish it went deeper
Like "Thud Ridge", also by Col. Broughton, "Going Downtown" reflects on the former fighter pilt's experiences driving USAFF-105's through the flack, SAM and MiG infested skies of Vietnam.Readers who missed "Thud Ridge' may remember Broughton's story appearing in the Yeagher biography - a decorated and venerable fighter-pilot, Broughton was loved by the men he led, despite the draconian restrictions placed on them by politicians.During one mission that Broughton didn't even fly on, two of his pilots received fire from a flak gun aboard a Russian freighter, and responded with their own cannon.Jaded by the experience in which his pilots were clearly in the right, Broughton removed the gun camera film from the noses of the involved F-105's, and destroyed them.A board of review composed of such noted officers as Yeager and Robin Olds cleared Broughton's men but did cite Broughton for destruction of the gun camera film, a move that effectively ended his career as a fighter pilot.Broughton hints at the incident - the "Turkestan Affair" in Thud Ridge, but apparently decided against saying any more.Having decided otherwise in "Downtown", Broughton must have decided that he didn't have enough for a new book complimenting the first.Theough "Turkestan" and its consequences take up the latter half of the book, the first part is a mixed gril, offering the USAF's painful transition to the early and crude jets, the complicated underpinnings of the Vietnam war and the cover-up over the Tonkin Gulf incident. Captures the true spirit of a fighter pilot!
This book captures the true spirit of a fighter pilot and why they are such special people.His war on Hanoi, waged with one hand tied behind his back by McNamara and President Johnson needed to be told.And he told itas only a fighter pilot could. You could be reading fiction, but it's real. Where do we get men that court death and face losing friends every day.Colonel Broughton is busy telling us about his fight with Hanoi andWashington.But, what also comes through is the daily struggle of menstrapping on an airplane and doing their duty against great odds.Therules of engagement are discussed and how they affected the lives of thosecharged with enforcing them. Colonel Broughton had over 200 missions.Heis a true American hero. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aerial operations    2. Aerial operations, American    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Espionage/Intrigue    5. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller    6. Personal narratives, American    7. Vietnam War, 1961-1975    8. Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975    9. Air forces & warfare    10. Biography: general    11. History / Military / General    12. USA    13. Vietnam