Corsair Aces of World War 2 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 8) [Paperback]

Mark Styling (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Aircraft of the Aces | Publication Date: November 13, 1995

The speed with which the Corsair was rushed into service as a land-based fighter obliged the pilots to learn on the job. The aircraft soon proved to be superior to the Japanese Zero and played a major part in the destruction of Japan’s elite air forces in the South Pacific. Later, in an effort to counter the Kamikaze threat, the Corsair was once again hurriedly pressed into service; this time in its originally intended role as a shipboard fighter. This versatile aircraft saw service with the US Navy and Marines, the British Fleet Air Arm and the RNZAF. Most of the 4FU pilots who recount their experiences within these pages considered it to be the best all-round fighter in the Pacific theatre.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces series combines full colour artwork, the best archival contemporary photography, and first hand accounts from aces to bring history's greatest airborne conflicts to life.

About the Author

Mark Styling is better known to readers of the Aircraft of the Aces and Combat Aircraft series as the profile artist for such titles as Hellcat Aces of World War 2, Japanese Army Air Force Aces 1937–45 and P–61 Units of World War 2. A full-time commercial artist, Mark works from his home in the East London suburb of Hackney.

Product Details

• Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing; First Edition edition (November 13, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855325306
• ISBN-13: 978-1855325302
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.3 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #822,525 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book! Lots of information and picutres!, June 30, 2000

By 

Mark Austin Olinger - See all my reviews

This review is from: Corsair Aces of World War 2 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 8) (Paperback)

Mark Styling and Jerry Scutts have given the air enthusiasts, historians, and Corsair buffs another one in Osprey's "Aircraft of the Aces" series. Like the others, Corsair Aces of World War 2 contains a great deal of information and carefully selected photos. It has the usual collection of excellent illustrations, particularly color prints. This book covers a much overlooked area of aviation history dealing with Corsairs in the Pacific Theater and includes our allies. This book gives these outstanding pilots their due. Perfect for US Navy, US Marine Corps, and Allied Corsair enthusiasts. It is a great book and I recommend it highly. Corsair Aces of World War 2 is well worth having for anyone interested in the exploits of Corsair fighter pilots.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Corsair Aces of World War 2, September 5, 2001

By 

Karl Pople (Oldsmar, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Corsair Aces of World War 2 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 8) (Paperback)

Unfortunately, I feel that this volume of this outstanding series is by far the weakest of the set. As of this writing, I own and have read all 37 published volumes, so I have a lot to compare it too. The book focuses mainly on 'I was there' first-hand accounts of flying the Corsair instead of the history of the aircraft and aces that flew it. This is OK, but I was expecting more of an aces/pilots/units approach that is the mainstay of the other books in this series. Often, first-hand accounts are just that, sort of a 'this is what happened to me', while overlooking the big picture. The artwork, as usual, is the saving grace of the book. The color profiles are outstanding as always. I would recommend purchase of this volume to ensure a complete set, but couldn't really recommend it to a military aviation historian.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book about Corsair aces, January 23, 2009

By 

Ira Kepford "Jolly Roger" (Springfield MO) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Corsair Aces of World War 2 (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 8) (Paperback)

Flying the F4F Wildcat early in the Pacific war, pilots were trying to gain the upper hand against the superior Japanese A6M Zero. But their Wildcats lacked speed, rate of climb and maneuverability. But with the new F4U Corsair, pilots found that the F4U was more than a match for Japanese fighters.
Corsairs evolved from the early 'bird cage' F4U-1As, to the later F4U-1Ds, these planes struck fear in Japanese pilots who dared go against the 'whistling death'.

This book is an early book of Ospreys 'Aircraft of the aces' series.
I found the first hand accounts a little heavy in this book. Now, I like first hand accounts from aces, but this book contains 85% first hand accounts and 15% information from the author. The first hand accounts were only from a few aces, so you only get limited variety of information on the aces. I was also a little disappointed that there was not more information on Gregory 'Pappy' Boyington, who is one of the most famous USMC aces of the Pacific. Thus 4 stars instead of my usual 5.
I like the later Osprey books with balanced information from the author and first hand accounts from aces.
I did find that the pictures, color plates of both planes and pilots were well done.
If you want to read about Corsair aces about WWII, then buy the book, but you'll have more first hand accounts than information on aces.