F-8 Crusader Units of the Vietnam War (Osprey Combat Aircraft 7)

The North Vietnamese fighter pilots feared combat with the F-8 Crusader because when our fighter jocks flew the envelope, they could not be beaten. Superior training, and superior planning and execution gave our pilots the edge. Read about the missions and our heroes who flew this magnificent fighter aircraft.

This is a terrific book that covers a magnificent aircraft that seems to get no love in Hollywood. If you're even a remote fan of naval aviation than you should add this book to your collection because it will give you a great understanding of the best fighter of Vietnam.There are A LOT of photos in this book which really help tell the story along with the written text. These rare Vietnam photos of the Crusader are worth the price of the book alone, but in addition to these photos you get Osprey's specially commissioned profile illustrations of some of the most famous F-8's which are fantastic.In the text, just about every well known F-8 pilot from this era gets mentioned, including the MiG Killers, former POW James Stockdale and the notorious Joe Satrapa. The Appendices in the back of the book include a glossary, line drawings, a table of all the F-8 MiG Kills, and a table of all the F-8 Squadron Deployments in Vietnam, which is done in more detail than I've seen in any other book about the F-8.If I were to find fault with anything, it would be the fact that some of the photos tend to be on the dark side and could stand to be a little brighter. Especially the squadron photos where you can hardly see the faces on some of the pilots. According to the copyright page on my copy, this book was first published in 1998 and was then transferred to digital print on demand in 2010. This digitization may have degraded the photo quality and could be the cause of the extra darkness in some of these photos, so an earlier edition might have better quality.Hopefully a new edition or printing will be made where they correct this minor problem. Even with some dark photos, there are many that aren't, and the color illustrations are great. I highly recommend this, it is well worth the money and it is an invaluable reference book.

I was in Japan just before the Vietnam war in a MACS(radar unit.) we worked with a lot of the F-8's that were in the book. I have pictures of several of the planes. All of our officers where pilots in F-8's they where on a tour with our unit. there where a few very interesting storys about the F-8's. yes, the F-8 was not a forgiving aircraft, but it being what it was, it was still an awesome fighter. I love to read how they did in combat and the maintenance on them (I joined the MC with the hope of becoming a jet mechanic) I was a Radar/radio operator for my 4 years. 61-64

Another good book in the Osprey series. Lots of good photos and color photos and color plates. There is also an actual B&W photo of an F-8 pilot ejecting (punchin' out) in flight at altitude. Luckily he was also recovered. Book talks about this "last of the gunfighters" and the F-8 did have gun only victories but the book does state that the majority of the F-8 victories were via sidewinders. But at least the F-8 did have guns....sorry U.S. Navy Phantom. Book covers the F-8 roles as MigCap and escort, and provides info on F-8 in the air to ground role which I was previously unaware of. Photos of F-8 with Zunis on their sidewinder rails and iron bombs under wings took me by surprise as I have usually seens photos of the Crusader outfitted for it's air to air role. (I've always wondered why other USN or other navy aircraft didnt also incorporate the variable incidence wing on the F-8 - variable geometry wing seems so much more complicated and expensive). Book also discusses how the F-8 was deployed on the "smaller" carriers with the Phantoms on the large carriers. Book has lots of good in-person pilot recollections of F-8 missions. Good book.....and...Fly Navy !!

This was an excellent book on the F-8 Crusader and it's pilots. Peter Mersky has a different format than is usual in this series. It is refreshing. You can tell the author is passionate about this plane. I look forward to reading the companion book.

Osprey does it again. These Vietnam era books are as good as the VVS books I have reviewed. Love the illustrations and pilot uniform paintings. Also includes color photo section and 3 view drawings. Very well done, humorous pictures at times. Seems to capture a lot in such a short book. Highly recommend this even at full price...a rarity from me!

I served in Viet war, and this was my plane..the Gator!! Read about it...and find out how the' Air Farce' was so mad the Navy had it, blew the F-100 out of the sky. When you're out of F-8s, you're out of fighters!! When the Crusader was up, the Migs ran and hid!!

Oh yeah! Now THIS is the aircraft you wanted to fly if you were a US naval aviator in the 60s. Whether it's high speed photo runs over Cuban missile sites, blasting North Vietnamese AAA guns with Zuni rockets, or engaging in gut-wrenching dogfights with MiGs and knocking'em down with 'winders OR your quad 20mm cannons...well, you get the picture. This book details the men, the machines and the action, as 'the last of the gunfighters' took it to the skies over North Vietnam, resulting in a 6-1 kill/loss ratio...sierra hotel boys!

Well written and researched, with interesting detail and a suitable array of photos and plates, if you're interested in the subject matter this is a book you should own.

Another great "Vietnam Air War" title by Osprey. A good read and full of well printed photos,profiles and scale (1:72) plans. Recommended to any one interested either in the Vietnam conflict or/and the F-8 Crusader.

very happy

Für alle die sich mit dem Thema beschäftigen und danach such sind die Bücher der Reihe von Osprey wirklich eine gute Investion.Aufschlussreich,gut Bebildert und sehr Informativ.Habe mittlerweile eine große Sammlung und kann es kaum erwarten neues in die Hände zu bekommen.

Bel libro, anzi personalmente lo ritengo stupendo.