F-8 Crusader Units of the Vietnam War

F-8 Crusader Units of the Vietnam War PDF

Author: Peter Mersky

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-11-20

Total Pages: 254

ISBN-13: 1782006524

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Known to its pilots as the 'last of the gunfighters' due to its quartet of Colt-Browning Mk 12 20 mm cannon, the F-8 Crusader was numerically the most populous fighter in the US Navy at the start of America's involvement in the Vietnam conflict in 1964 – some 482 F-8C/D/Es equipped 17 frontline units. It enjoyed great success against North Vietnamese Mig-17s and Mig-21s during the Rolling Thunder campaign of 1965-68, officially downing 18 jets, which represented 53 per cent of all Mig claims lodged by Navy squadrons during this period.

F-8 Crusader Units of the Vietnam War

F-8 Crusader Units of the Vietnam War PDF

Author: Peter Mersky

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-11-20

Total Pages: 116

ISBN-13: 1782007164

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Known to its pilots as the 'last of the gunfighters' due to its quartet of Colt-Browning Mk 12 20 mm cannon, the F-8 Crusader was numerically the most populous fighter in the US Navy at the start of America's involvement in the Vietnam conflict in 1964 – some 482 F-8C/D/Es equipped 17 frontline units. It enjoyed great success against North Vietnamese Mig-17s and Mig-21s during the Rolling Thunder campaign of 1965-68, officially downing 18 jets, which represented 53 per cent of all Mig claims lodged by Navy squadrons during this period.

RF-8 Crusader Units over Cuba and Vietnam

RF-8 Crusader Units over Cuba and Vietnam PDF

Author: Peter Mersky

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-11-20

Total Pages: 205

ISBN-13: 1782006532

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Although the Crusader was built first and foremost as a Navy interceptor, as has often been the tradition with US fighters, a photo-reconnaissance variant was also produced by Vought. The photo-bird's first operational test came in the autumn of 1962 when its overflights of Cuba alerted the world to the likely presence of medium-range ballistic missiles on the Caribbean island. The recce Crusader's next action came during the long years of the Vietnam War. This volume is the second of two in the Combat Aircraft series devoted to the Crusader, the first title (again by Peter Mersky) having covered the F-8 fighter variants, and their MiG-killing exploits, during the Vietnam War.

F-100 Super Sabre Units of the Vietnam War

F-100 Super Sabre Units of the Vietnam War PDF

Author: Peter E. Davies

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-11-20

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13: 1782006990

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The F-100 Super Sabre may have been superseded by the superior technology of the F-105 Thunderchief and the F-4 Phantom by the Vietnam War it remained in service. The Super Sabre was deployed as an air defence fighter, and was later given nuclear capability. The F-100's toughness, adaptability and reliability made it ideal for the incessant missions that were demanded by close support and counter-insurgency missions. 242 Super Sabres and 87 aircrew were lost during the war but their role, particularly in developing the tactics used for discovering and destroying SAM sites, was invaluable. This book describes some of the most important actions that the F-100 took part in, looks at the pilots who flew it and analyses the impact of the aircraft on the war.

US Navy and Marine Corps A-4 Skyhawk Units of the Vietnam War 1963–1973

US Navy and Marine Corps A-4 Skyhawk Units of the Vietnam War 1963–1973 PDF

Author: Peter Mersky

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-11-20

Total Pages: 193

ISBN-13: 1782006540

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The Skyhawk was involved in Vietnam from the very beginning, including the first offensive operations in 1963 into Laos, and the Pierce Arrow operations immediately following the Tonkin Gulf Incident of August 1964. Navy and Marine Corps A-4s quickly established a presence in south-east Asia participating in thousands of sorties against the entrenched communist forces in the South and the heavily defended targets in North Vietnam. A-4 pilots also struck targets along the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail, working with ground-based and airborne forward air controllers to interdict the flood of supplies to communist forces in the south. This book will include many first-hand accounts from the pilots who flew one of the greatest attack aircraft ever built and will provide an insightful account of some of the most thrilling aerial combats that took place during Vietnam.

F-8 Crusader vs MiG-17

F-8 Crusader vs MiG-17 PDF

Author: Peter Mersky

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2014-11-20

Total Pages: 174

ISBN-13: 1782008128

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Revered by Naval Aviators as the 'last of the gunfighters' due to its quartet of Colt-Browning Mk 12 20 mm cannon, the F-8 Crusader enjoyed great success against VPAF MiG-17s during the Rolling Thunder campaign of 1966–68. But, the MiG-17's unequalled low-speed manoeuvrability, small size and powerful cannon armament meant that the American forces didn't have it all their own way. This fully illustrated book, featuring photographs, maps and battlescene artwork, reveals the tactics that were developed by pilots on both sides to give themselves the edge in air-to-air dogfights, allowing the reader to understand how the differing design and development doctrines played a part in combat.

B-57 Canberra Units of the Vietnam War

B-57 Canberra Units of the Vietnam War PDF

Author: T. E. Bell

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2013-01-20

Total Pages: 236

ISBN-13: 1472800273

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The B-57 Canberra was the first jet-powered American attack aircraft committed to the Vietnam War. Involved in day-to-day interdiction missions as well as in classified “black” missions and a starring role in Operation Rolling Thunder; the B-57 evolved to become one of the most valuable weapons in the USAF inventory. The B-57E was involved in the Patricia Lynn missions, parts of which remain classified. This book also fully documents the role of the Australian Canberra B-20 in working alongside the B-57. Featuring scores of previously unpublished photographs; the story of the B-57 is the story of the Vietnam War.

RA-5C Vigilante Units in Combat

RA-5C Vigilante Units in Combat PDF

Author: Robert R Powell

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-10-20

Total Pages: 161

ISBN-13: 1782005420

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Developed from the A-5 nuclear bomber and used in a reconnaissance role, the RA-5C Vigilante was the largest and fastest aeroplane ever to operate from the deck of an aircraft carrier. During the Vietnam War it sustained the highest loss ratio of any American aircraft in that conflict. This volume includes compelling accounts of combat missions over key communist targets, where crews dodged Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) and anti-aircraft fire to secure all-important mission photographs. Written by a Vigilante combat veteran this book is crammed full of action-packed first-hand accounts.

F-104 Starfighter Units in Combat

F-104 Starfighter Units in Combat PDF

Author: Peter E. Davies

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2014-11-20

Total Pages: 213

ISBN-13: 1780963157

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This title covers the technical characteristics of the F-104 Starfighter, one of the most widely-used and popular aircraft in history. Although built in small numbers for the USAF, the F-104C fought and survived for almost three years in Vietnam. There, it was engaged in some of the war's most famous battles including the legendary operation Bolo, where seven North Vietnamese MiGs were destroyed without the loss of a single US fighter. This small, tough and very fast fighter, dubbed 'The Missile with a Man in It', was called upon to do things it was not specifically designed for, and did them admirably. Featuring illustrations and photographs detailing the variety of nose-paint schemes and weapons configurations, this comprehensive appraisal of the F-104 Starfighter is ideal for modelling and aviation enthusiasts alike.

US Navy F-4 Phantom II Units of the Vietnam War 1964-68

US Navy F-4 Phantom II Units of the Vietnam War 1964-68 PDF

Author: Peter E. Davies

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2016-08-25

Total Pages: 99

ISBN-13: 1472814533

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The F-4 Phantom II is perhaps the most famous post-war fighter. Primarily used as a land-based fighter-bomber and reconnaissance platform, its naval origins and the immense contribution made to the US war effort in Vietnam by its original carrier-based versions began its legend. This title examines the unique aspects of the Phantom that made it so crucial to US Navy pilots during the Vietnam War – its massive engine power, long range, speed, the most powerful airborne search and fire-control radar installed in a fighter at the time, and of course its versatility as a ground attack and air-to-air platform. Packed with first hand accounts, unique profile artwork and rare photographs this is the history of one of the most important aircraft to be stationed on carriers off Southeast Asia during the war.