Mustang Ace: Memoirs of a P-51 Fighter Pilot [Paperback]

Robert J. Goebel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 29, 2004

When Bob Goebel left home to join the Army Air Corps in 1942, he was a nineteen years old and a high school graduate. Cadet Goebel worked his way steadily through the Basic, Primary, and Advanced phases of military flight training, and found in himself an aptitude for flight. After graduation from flight school with his new wings and new commission as a 2d Lieutenant, he and his classmates were posted to a fighter squadron defending the Panama Canal. By the spring of 1944 he was on his way tto Italy and the 31st Fighter Group, one of the top fighter outfits of the war. He was also headed for a new aircraft, the legendary P-51 Mustang. After 61 combat missions now Captain Goebel was offcially credited with 11 victories in his Mustang. Returning home in September 1944 he was not yet 21 years old.Goebel's memoir is a classic of combat aviation, giving the reader a true sense of what it was like to fly and fight as a World War II fighter pilot.- Covers stories about the often overlooked 12th AF in Italy- Tales of flying the classic P-51D, America's ultimate piston engined fighterAbout the AuthorFollowing the war Robert J. Goebel attended college on the GI Bill, earning a degree in physics from the University of Wisconsin. Returning to the air force he served on active duty for almost thirty years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1966 after working on the Gemini launch vehicle for NASA. He then worked in the aerospace industry including the Skylab project. Now fully retired he lives in Torrance, California.

Editorial Reviews

Review

America in WWII, October 2006

“Goebel’s eye for telling detail, descriptive power, and story-telling skills are so strong that if you wish to read only one book on the life of a WWII fighter pilot, this is it…Goebel skillfully weaves recollections of his prewar life into his narrative. These eruptions of memory are seldom expected and are always insightful or entertaining. His descriptions of nitty-gritty aspects of the pilot’s life are the best I have ever read…The brillians of Mustang Ace is the world of characters and experiences it preserves for us, in and out of combat. Few other books are so successful in re-creating the WWII fighter pilot’s mindset and pulling you into it. Mustang Ace is well-written, insightful, and dramatic. Anyone with any interest in military aviation or World War II will find this killer memoir rewarding and worth rereading.”

About the Author

Following the war Robert J. Goebel attended college on the GI Bill, earning a degree in physics from the University of Wisconsin. Returning to the air force he served on active duty for almost thirty years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1966 after working on the Gemini launch vehicle for NASA. He then worked in the aerospace industry including the Skylab project. Now fully retired he lives in Torrance, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Zenith Press (November 29, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760320691
• ISBN-13: 978-0760320693
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,287,432 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A clean, crisp and riveting narrative of WWII fighter pilot, August 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Mustang Ace: Memoirs of a P-51 Fighter Pilot (Hardcover)

Mustang ace was given to me by the authors grandson as a gift as he knew that this subject matter interested me. Having read a number of books in the past chronicling fighter and bomber pilot exploits (as well as tank drivers and ground pounders), I knew the subject matter from a historical standpoint but I also knew that the various styles of the authors differ greatly causing some of these types of books to be less than exhilirating reads. Robert J. Goebels venture into book writing with "Memoirs of a P-51 Fighter Pilot" I initially felt might just be another re-hash of facts and figures with some personal embelishments. However, upon starting this book, it was plain to see that Mr. Goebel had his pulse on the time, history and moments of that era and was able to cleanly and clearly translate memories into an stimulating and active drama. I found myself bonding to him and his buddies.. as if I were going through the period along side him. He put words into such a way that you could imagine the lines of his aircraft, see the landscape of his surroundings, smell the air and feel the energy of what was happening to him and his buddies. I purposely read this book slow since I found it to be a nice way for me to end my day.. setting back and spending time with Lt. Goebel and his friends. I recommend this book to anyone intrested in aviation and WWII history.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A most well written narrative of Goebel's experiences!, October 22, 1998

By 

Joseph W Noah - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mustang Ace: Memoirs of a P-51 Fighter Pilot (Hardcover)

Bob Goebel relates his experiences clearly and succinctly, and those experiences are most interesting to the WWII flying buff. He even makes his days before combat flying interesting and informative. His narration of combat flying is thrilling and and suspenseful!! In short, this is a great book. Joe Noah, author of Wings God Gave My Soul, biography of George Preddy.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, passionate & gritty; memorable by any standard!, February 14, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Mustang Ace: Memoirs of a P-51 Fighter Pilot (Hardcover)

Extremely well written account of adventures in Texas, Panama, Italy, Romania, and Russia by 11 victory ace Bob Goebel. Assigned to the 31st Fighter Group of the 15th Air Force, Goebel collects most of his kills over Italian and Romanian skies. Goebel manages to capture in gripping detail his growth from fledgling pilot to confident Squadron Leader. His observations on fighter combat are invaluable. Favorite moments: His harrowing low level escape from two pursuing Fw190's, the penalty paid for carrying too much fuel, and the growing realisation of our own fragile mortality. Highly Recommended...but bring a tissue or two you'll probably need it! Please visit the "WWII Aviation Booklist" for more reviews: http://www.ampsc.com/~prophet/booklist.htm