Customer Reviews

Air Battle Central Europe

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In each chapter, the author profiles a different aircraft in the NATO air forces from the 1980's. Unlike so many other books of this type, there are no pictures. A few maps but no pictures of the aircraft. Instead, the author describes in-depth, exactly what role each aircraft would play in a NATO-Warsaw Pact conflict. He does a superb job of describing each aircraft's design, performance, and weapons systems, but he always focuses on how the aircraft contributes to the battle.

To top it off, each chapter has lengthy interviews with aircrew. The pilots and backseaters provide extensive detail on tactics, aircraft performance, and combat scenarios. There are many insightful details about weapon strenths and limitations and how aircrew use "workarounds" to get the job done.

Much of the material in this book is still relevant today. Most of the tactics, strategy, and weapons are still in use today (albeit in improved form). If there's anything missing, it is that the book pre-dates the first Gulf War and thus lacks a discussion of stealth aircraft.