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American Nightfighter Aces of World War 2 (Aircraft of the Aces)

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Manufacturer: Osprey Publishing
List Price: $22.95
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The Americans lagged behind their European contemporaries in military aviation in the late 1930s, and it took the Battle of Britain to awaken an isolated America to the necessity of having aircraft that could defend targets against nighttime attack by bomber aircraft. With the help of the RAF, the importance of creating such a specialized fighter force was given top priority. This book examines the numerous aircraft types that were used by the US in this role, beginning with the early 'stop-gap' conversions like the TBM Avenger, Lockheed Ventura and the A-20 Havoc (P-70).

It goes on to detail the combat history of the newer and radar equipped Hellcats, Corsairs and Black Widows that were designed to seek out enemy aircraft (both German and Japanese) in Europe, the Mediterranean and the Pacific. It was these aircraft that registered most of the kills made by the Navy, Marine Corps and USAAF in 1944-45. Finally there are additional accounts from the American pilots who spent time on the frontline on exchange tours with the RAF in the ETO/MTO, learning the intricacies of flying radar-equipped fighters like the Mosquito and Beaufighter at night, prior to the USAAF taking receipt of the much-delayed P-61. With full color profiles and rare photographs, this is an absorbing account of an often underestimated flying force: the American Nightfighters.


DESCRIPTION:

Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 940.544973
EAN: 9781846033063
ISBN: 1846033063
Label: Osprey Publishing
Manufacturer: Osprey Publishing
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 96
Publication Date: 2008-09-23
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Release Date: 2008-09-23
Studio: Osprey Publishing


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CUSTOMER REVIEWS:

Customer Rating:
Summary: Meticulous Study on History and Evolution from difficult,knotty subject. Pionnier of Classic Night Fighter, P-61 Black Widow !
Comment:

From the beggining WW11,USAF was isolated and out of dated informations from Wesern Country.
They even did not know the existence of light,heavily armed, highly maneuverale,strong
Japanese fighters, like Ki-43 Hayabusa and A6M Zero. from the begining, obsolute, outclassed
F2A Buffalo,P-36 Hawk, P-39 Airacobra,P-40 Warhawk,destryed most of US Fighters.
As the same reasons, US was to late too pay attention on developing Night Fighters,even
experiencing "Battle of Britain".(quoted from [1]JAAF aces 1937-1945.[2]jNANF ace 1937-1945. by Henry Sakaida)

British, already started developing Night Fighters which they had,AIMkIII,early Rader equpied
Blenheim IF
coverted Night Fighter,early nose arrowhead and wing-mounted dipole antennae,Bristol Beau Fighter,
Boulton Paul Defiant Fighter.
Early US experiences were B-25 with night interuding mission, A-20G Havoc Attacker conversed to
Rader installed P-70 as night fighter training. Young Ameican who had joind RAF and RACF, received
night fighter training under guidance and team works, the RAF's"Eagle Squadron" were independently
transferred under US Cmmand in late 1942.
After Mosquito fighter protoyype flew in May,1941, and was immediately developed as the Nighter
equpied with late4st secret Airborne Interception(AI) Raider, armed with 4X20mm cannon beneath the
nose and 4x12.7mm macihine guns in the nose it's self.(quoted from "Fighters & Bombers of the world" by
Francis Crosby,2008)
In US, P-70A fitted with Rader and 20mm cannons, strictly a stop-gap measure pending tjhe arrival of
P-61. P-70B, later 2X 20mm , 2x 12.7mm instead of cannon changed to machine guns for saving lighter for better
interception in higher altitude.temporarlly, P-38 and B-25 also used.
6,June,1944,on D-day,16,,July,1944, Already enterd P-61 Black Widow had 1st kill over V1 flying bomb
which used improved Radert SCR-720 from British AI Rader. with aid of GCI, P-61 become best
night fighter in the world. In Navy, wing tip Raider assisted F4U-5N Night Fighter(6X12.7mm machine gun)
and F6F-5N(2x20mm machine gun,and 2X12.7mm machine gun)played independent roles of Night Fighter for
many Pacific Islands and USN military Ships.




Customer Rating:
Summary: Vipers of the night
Comment: From the Beaufighter to the P-61 and F6F, these American nightfighters fought Bf-110s, Ju-88s, Ju-188s, Ki-45s, and G4Ms in the darkest of nights. These men stalked their prey with deadly accuracy.
The deadly P-61 'Black Widow' was a hard foe to fight. With 4 20-mm and 4 50 cal. machine gun and cannon, the 'Widow' was a venomous plane.
The F6F 'Hellcat' was also a force to be reckoned with, being equipped with 20-mm and 50 cal. machine gun and cannon as well.

These are just two of many nightfighter planes in this book.
I found this book very informative on the American nightfighters and the aircraft they flew. With first hand accounts that make the battles come to life. This book has pilots such as 'Lou' Luma, Eugene Axtell, Paul Smith and many more nightfighter aces.
This book was a pleasure to read. With 88 pages of pictures, information and color plates, this book is a must have for any nightfighter enthusiast!
I have 10 Osprey books and I am waiting for 13 more, and none have disappointed me yet! So if you're looking for a series or just a book or two about aces, then I would recommend Osprey's books highly!

Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent Summary of U. S. Nightfighter Aces in Action!
Comment: Almost two dozen Americans became nightfighter aces in World War II. They served in various commands - Air Force, Navy, Marines, RAF - and flew a grab-bag of aircraft - P-61s, F6Fs, Beaufighters, Mossies, F4Us. Though their scores never approached those of their daytime compatriots, their kills were hard earned and vital to the final Allied victory. Osprey stalwarts Andy Thomas and Warren Thompson relate the fascinating saga of AMERICAN NIGHTFIGHTER ACES OF WORLD WAR 2 in this 2008 Osprey release.

When WWII broke out, America lagged behind other world air forces in terms of nightfighter aircraft, radar and tactics. With RAF help and work by pioneering pilots like USN CDR 'Chick' Harmer, America eventually produced a number of deadly nightfighters like the Black Widow and fielded units that took their toll on Axis aircraft plying the night skies.

Thomas and Thompson's book provide a globe-spanning tour of the development of the American nightfighter efforts and the combats various U.S. pilots and units took part in. So the reader is treated to first-hand accounts of Russ Reiserer in his F6F-3N, P-61 ace Herman Ernst, Mossie ace Archie Harrington and others stalking and downing Bettys, Ju 88s, FW 190s, Zeroes and even V-1s.

The book is illustrated with over 80 black & white photos and 12(!) color pix. The center section of color aircraft profiles by Chris Davey is especially noteworthy. What a smorgasbord of aircraft: Mossies, Black Widows, Hellcats, Havocs, Venturas, Beaufighters, Corsairs and Lightnings!

Given its widespread coverage and pleasing illustrations, AMERICAN NIGHTFIGHTER ACES OF WORLD WAR 2 is a marvelous introduction to some talented pilots that, by war's end, had denied the night skies to Axis aircraft. Recommended.

Customer Rating:
Summary: American Nightfighter Aces WW 2 (Aircraft of the Aces)
Comment: Good read,gave me an insight into the operations of the fighter aircraft used in the night fighter role. Main reason for buying this book was to obtain more information on the role of the "P61 Black Widow", because I am building a model of this aircraft.

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