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

Peter Mersky (Author), Tom Tullis (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Combat Aircraft | Publication Date: August 28, 1998

Osprey's study of the role played by F-8 Crusader Units in the Vietnam War (1955-1975). Known to its pilots as the 'last of the gunfighters' due to its quartet of Colt-Browning Mk 12 20 mm cannon, the F-8 Crusader was numerically the most populous fighter in the US Navy at the start of America's involvement in the Vietnam conflict in 1964 – some 482 F-8C/D/Es equipped 17 frontline units. It enjoyed great success against North Vietnamese Mig-17s and Mig-21s during the Rolling Thunder campaign of 1965-68, officially downing 18 jets, which represented 53 per cent of all Mig claims lodged by Navy squadrons during this period.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Osprey's Combat series combines the best archival photography available with specially commissioned artworks and first hand accounts, making these books favourites amongst historians, modellers and aviation enthusiasts everywhere.

About the Author

Peter Mersky is a former US Navy commander who won the highest naval award for journalism following the publication of this book and Combat Aircraft 12: RF-8 Crusader Units over Korea and Vietnam. He was the assistant editor, then editor, of Approach, the Navy and Marine Corps aviation safety magazine, for 16 years, and he has also reviewed more than 400 books on military aviation. Peter has now retired from service and is a full time aviation writer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (August 28, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855327244
• ISBN-13: 978-1855327245
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.2 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #944,808 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars F-8 s forever!!, May 23, 2001

By 

John Brennan (GUNDAROO, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: F-8 Crusader Units of the Vietnam War (Osprey Combat Aircraft 7) (Paperback)

The F-8 Crusader will go down in aviation history as a classic warplane, captured on TV and in print media as the chief aerial protagonist in a number of conflicts in the '60s. From the Cuban crisis, to the Vietnam war, the F-8 was the Navy's last single seat fighter - the 'Gunfighter' - until the F-18 appeared some twenty years later. Mersky is a veteran Crusader fanatic, with other like titles to his credit, and he continues to delve into the details of F-8s, and F-8 service. What makes this book a standout is the focus on the F-8 drivers, as well as the aircraft and units. For anybody who is interested in a unique period of US Naval aviation, this is a must! This book looks good, has great historical anecdotes and good illustrations. In Australia, it is a very expensive paperback, but still - no pay(n), no gain!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gunfighters Unite !!, November 17, 2008

By 

Joe M. Donahoe (salisbury maryland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: F-8 Crusader Units of the Vietnam War (Osprey Combat Aircraft 7) (Paperback)

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 !!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars F-8 Crusader Units of the Vietnam War (Osprey Combat Aircraft 7), March 17, 2006

By 

James Covington "James C" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: F-8 Crusader Units of the Vietnam War (Osprey Combat Aircraft 7) (Paperback)

Book is well written with great photo's and illstrations. Facts are excellent. If you like the Crusader. This is a must!

The last of the gunfighters!