Air Command: Fighters and Bombers of WWII [Hardcover]

Jeffrey L. Ethell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1998

This incredible volume brings together in one book two outstanding titles previously published by MBI: Bomber Command, a history of American bombers in World War II, and Fighter Command, the story of the fighters that escorted them. First-person accounts are accompanied by more than 400 original World War II colour photos.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 356 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks International (May 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760306001
• ISBN-13: 978-0760306000
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 10.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,049,514 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful photos, emotional & realistic desc of WW2 air comb, September 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Air Command: Fighters and Bombers of WWII (Hardcover)

The thing that impresses me most are the beautiful, colour photographs. I have seen colour photos from WWII, but never before 200+ in a single book, and all about air combat. These are high quality, clear as a bell photos. I suspect that they may have been retouched, with colour added later. Even if this is so, the details of the aircrafts, down to the markings, makes and models are all accurate. For modellers wanting to build a diaroma, this is a good reference.

There is no organised narration. The text is made up of excerpts from pilots, gunners etc. 95% American, 5% German. This includes air combat, POW camps, base conditions, cadet training, crew chiefs. Anything to do with air combat in WW2. Particularly good are the descriptions of the emotional states of the combatants. Some are cold, detached and technical (mainly veterans), some are very nervous and only worry about completing the mission in one piece (new pilots).

All in all, and excellent book.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WWII Air Combat in Living Color, September 28, 1999

By 

John Nelson (Connecticut, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Air Command: Fighters and Bombers of WWII (Hardcover)

It's a sunny day in May 1942. America has been at war for only six months. Japan appears unstoppable in the Pacific. The Battle of Midway will commence in less than 30 days. Hitler holds Europe and continues his advance across the Russian steppes. U.S. forces haven't engaged the enemy in the European theater yet as you struggle to survive flight school and get into the burgeoning conflict. Flying your BT-14 trainer out of Randolph Field in Texas, you hear your backseat passenger say something over the drone of the engines and as you glance back he snaps your photo. A moment frozen in time. In color.

As with the many other startlingly clear color photos that this book contains, a moment in history that is long gone is once again brought to life. These are not grainy black and white stills or jerky films that look a hundred years old. Most of the 200 plus color shots in this surprising book look like they could have been taken today. But they weren't. Imagine what it meant to be in this place at this time....You can, with amazing ease, with the exclusively color (did I say color, yet?) photographs of air combat missions, ground crews with their cherished planes, everyday life between missions. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the air war in Europe in WWII.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT COLOR PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE, May 26, 2000

By 

E. de Barcenas Fitz-James - See all my reviews

This review is from: Air Command: Fighters and Bombers of WWII (Hardcover)

The book is incredibly interesting,as it is usually rare to find color pictures of WW II. On the other hand, the text is also quite interesting,with good witnesses points of view. I think it s a book all 2nd WW fans should own and keep on a visible board in the living room...