Korean War Aces (Aircraft of the Aces) [Paperback]

Robert F. Dorr (Author), Chris Davey (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Aircraft of the Aces | Publication Date: April 10, 1995

The first virtually all-jet war, the conflict in Korea saw F-86 Sabres of the USAF take on MiG-15s of the North Korean and Chinese air forces. Although the Allied pilots were initially taken aback by the ability of the communist fighter in combat, sound training and skilful leadership soon enabled Sabre pilots to dominate the dogfights over the Yalu River. In all 39 F-86 pilots achieved ace status, and a number of these are profiled in this volume, as are notable pilots from the US Navy, Marine Corps and Royal Navy and, for the first time, the handful of MiG-15 aces.

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

Robert F Dorr is a well respected author of long-standing reputation - he has written over a dozen books for Osprey over the years. His histories on modern American combat aircraft like the F-101 Voodoo and A-6 Intruder have set the standard for works of this type. His ability to combine 'crew speak' with concise editorial comment gives his books a unique and revealing style of their own. Warren Thompson has written three books on the Korean War for Osprey in the past, including the best-selling Korean War Aces in the Aircraft of the Aces series. He is also an official historian of the P-61 aircrew association.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (April 10, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855325012
• ISBN-13: 978-1855325012
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,026,005 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but missing info, January 6, 2001

By 

Ryan Haas (Tipp City, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Korean War Aces (Aircraft of the Aces) (Paperback)

This is a book Osprey needed to make and Robert Dorr did a great job. It has information on American and Soviet Aces. The book talks about famous aircraft, like the Mustang, Corsair, Mig 15, and Sabre. The info on Soviet aces was a nice surprise. The facts about British, South African, and Australian aces were an extra bonus. I only wish the book had given info on North Korean and Chinese aces.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Just the Facts and Little More, September 8, 2005

By 

Marco Antonio Abarca (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Korean War Aces (Aircraft of the Aces) (Paperback)

The Korean War is a very interesting time period for the military aviation enthusiast. It was a period where propeller driven P-51's and Corsairs battled with Mig 15's and Sabre aces shot down Yak 9's. And of course, the huge jet battles that took place over the skies of Mig Alley. A technological revolution took place during the four years of the conflict.

"Korean War Aces" by Robert Dorr is a plodding account of Korean Air War. All the key phases of the war are covered. Dorr dutifully documents all of the key facts. Every ace gets his due. However, if you are interested in the human story of Korean Air War, this is not the book for you. It is a pity that such dramatic story is rendered in such lifeless manner. The only reason to purchase the book is for the photographs and the color aircraft plates.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crucial and tragic "Dogfighting" History between F-86 vs MIG-15 during Korean War !, April 21, 2009

By 

Woong B. Lee - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Korean War Aces (Aircraft of the Aces) (Paperback)

Crucial and tragic "dog fighting" History between F-86 vs MIG-15
during Koreai

Ifound this book provided the overview of detailed history of combat hisyory
oflong term period,1950-1953, during Korean WAR: US first swept wing fighter,F-86
vs Soviet first swept wing fighter,MIG-15 !
This is a Review on this book from Korean Military Aviation Reasearcher,Young Ki Moon.
I like emphasize as following:
Soviet MIG-15 pilot, Col. Orlov dicclosed episode his shooting down a F-86E with
small damage which sent to Moskow for it's resyoration for Anamy,power of F-86E
including western Technology.on oct,i951(quoted from "Red Wings over the Yalu" by Xiaming Zhang(2002)
US desparately wanted MIG-15 same as Sovit wanted !
In Sept,1953, immediately after Armistice,a North Korean, Senoor Lt.Kum Suk No fled to
Souyh Korea with his a MIG-15 bis, improved version.immediate all tests of this was performed
by Capt. Collins and Maj. Check Yeager AT Okinawa Air Base.
Compairing Power of MIG-15 vs F-86 :
MIG-15 ; slightly faster speed,fly higher, faster rate of climbing, better maneuberbility
including better tightcircle,heavier armament(1-37mm cannon, 2-23mm cannon) aiming
destruction of heavy, strategic B-29 bombers. Soviet air ace, Yevgeni Pepelyaev
pointed weak destructive power of routie american figher's 6-browning 12.7mm machine guns.
it's unstablemaeuverbility at lower level resulted to engine failere !(early MIG-15 had
mechanical problems of elevaodrs)
MIG-15bis : improved version of original MIG-15. increased jet trust powerd engine.with new designed wing.
faster,shdrter range of take off.
F-86A : faster dive speed. good maneuverbility at liw altitude. armament does not mach to MIG-15.
F-86E ; manuverbility and saftyness increased after "All flyihg tail".
F-86F; improved engine power,increased speed, high flying increased maneuverbility.
Become superior fighter than MIG-15bis in evry aspect !!

killing Ratio between F-86 vs MIG-15 :
Killing Ratio is very difficult matters according to diffreent reporters and country.
somedne said different rate ranging from 50%~100% !!
US side: 18;i->10:1, corrected after war favoured to F-86.
anoteher repotre--MIG-15 vs F-86 killing Ratio 3.5:1 if F-80 and F-84 included !:1.
in B-29, Total 34 losted in combat( 16 to fighter, 4 to AAA, 14 to other causes.
B-29 gunners had credited destroying 27 fighters including 16 MIG-15.(quoted from
B-29 SUPERFORTRESS UNITS OF THE KOREAN WAR.2003)
Soviet side :F-86vs MIG-15-2.2:1,.(1952), 1.9:1(1953).Soviet favour.
on the basis of kills attributable to individual pilots,after all cinfirmation,
total shot down-1025.( B-29 66,B-26 7,RB-45 2, RB-50 1, F-47 2 F-51 28,F-80 123,
F-84 181,F-86 574, F-94 11, F4U 1, F6F 3, Metere F.8 26) during this period,
their MIG-15 loss were 307.(quoted from "Soviet Mig-15 Aces of the Korean War,2008);:
Chinese side: lost 224 MIG-15 vs F-86 211. but overall air-to -air kills 1:1.42 in Chinese favour !