The Chopper Boys: Helicopter Warfare in Africa [Hardcover]

Al J. Venter (Author), Neall Ellis (Author), Richard Wood (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books (January 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1853671770
• ISBN-13: 978-1853671777
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #321,307 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Professional & Technical > Transportation > Aviation > Helicopters

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good study, March 27, 2011

By 

James D. Crabtree "Doc Crabtree" (Fort Leavenworth, Kansas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Chopper Boys: Helicopter Warfare in Africa (Hardcover)

The Chopper Boys is a unique book, looking at the subject of helicopters used in various wars in Africa in the second half of the 20th Century. The employment of helos by the French in Algeria (in itself a pioneering effort), the Portuguese in Angola and Mozambique, the South Africans and the Rhodesians are all studied. Lavishly illustrated with photos Chopper Boys discusses various airframes, weapons and tactics developed in the African Wars. The only real drawback I find with this book is the organization, which sometimes makes the book read like a bunch of magazine articles strung together. There is no chronological order to the material. However, there's no denying that this is a fascinating book and one of the few available on this subject.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book, July 9, 2003

By 

J. G Scott (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Chopper Boys: Helicopter Warfare in Africa (Hardcover)

I acquired this gem from my favorite used bookstore in Denver and am sure glad I stumbled on it! For anyone out there interested in the history of conflict in modern day Africa this has to be on your bookshelf. A great set of photographs from the beginning of the helicopter era coupled with good background from organized military sources and Mr. Venters own hand makes for a great read. The Rhodesian and South West African sections were eye-openers for me. The writing style is unique - a set of "articles" strung loosely together - and easy to read. I can't wait for Mr. Venters' next book.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Get, May 21, 2001

By 

PJ Dovey "BoonDock" (Durban, South Africa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Chopper Boys: Helicopter Warfare in Africa (Hardcover)

This is, like most of Al J. Venter's stuff, a _MUST GET_ book.