The USAF introduced the F-4C Phantom II into the Vietnam War (1955-1975) in April 1965 from Ubon RTAB, Thailand. The F-4C/D soon became the Air Force's principal fighter over the North, destroying 85 MiGs by the close of 1968. This book describes how the USAF turned a gunless naval interceptor into an opponent to the more nimble VPAF MiGs. It explains how the Air Force gradually followed US Navy initiatives in the use of the F-4's missile armament but employed very different tactics and aircrew training. The roles of key personalities such as Col. Robin Oldany are discussed, together with armament and markings, crews and engagements.
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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 Davies has written or co-written nine books on modern American combat aircraft, including the standard reference work on US Navy and Marine Corps Phantom II operations, ‘Gray Ghosts’. Based in Bristol, Peter is also presently working with Brad Elward on another volume on F-4 MiG Killers in 1972-73.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Air Force Phantoms Duel With Uncle Ho's MiGs!,
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This review is from: USAF F-4 Phantom II MiG Killers 1965-68 (Combat Aircraft) (Paperback)
Air Force F-4 crews had a mixed track record against the North Vietnamese Air Force during the Rolling Thunder phase of the Vietnam war. The initial success rate was not maintained as F-4 crews expended missile after missile without scoring kills. Despite the success of units like the 8th TFW and 388th TFW, the overall USAF MiG-killing experience from 1965 to 1968 was disappointing. Steve Davies charts those troubled times in this Osprey 'Combat Aircraft' volume, #45 in that series.
Initially much was expected of the record-setting F-4 Phantom when it deployed to Vietnam. In 1965 the VPAF was equipped only with the MiG-17, hardly a match for the Phantom. The gunless Phantom, designed as an interceptor, carried 'wonder weapons' in the form of Sparrow, Sidewinder and sometimes Falcon AAMs. Phantom crews were highly skilled in intercepts. Yet, by the end of Rolling Thunder, the kill-loss ratio was poor and the missile kill rate absolutely abysmal. What went wrong? As borne out in Davies' informative and exciting book, the Phantom's lack of a gun, poor performing missiles and lack of ACM experience along with a highly effective NVN GCI system, introduction of the MiG-21 and other factors accounted for the poor showing in air combat. USAF F-4 PHANTOM II MiG KILLERS 1965-68 puts the reader right in the Phantom's cockpit as numerous MiG killers relate their experiences. Adrenaline junkies will love this book - lots of yanking and banking, 'Fox One,' and "Splash One MiG' action related by Robin Olds, Phil Combies, Don Logeman, Dave Williams, Dick Pascoe and others. Yet Davies' book is not all wall-to-wall action, the author simultaneously discussing factors governing the kill rate. Phantom Phreaks will also enjoy the over 60 black & white and 16 color photos of aircrew and aircraft along with nine color pages of nicely done F-4 profiles by Jim Laurier. Air combat enthusiasts will want to add Steve Davies' book to their collection. It is an interesting, educational and well-illustrated introduction to Air Force Phantom crews in action over North Vietnam. Highly recommended.
4.0 out of 5 stars
USAF F-4 Phantom II,
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This review is from: USAF F-4 Phantom II MiG Killers 1965-68 (Combat Aircraft) (Paperback)
Well it is a compliment to Davies' other F-4 book. Again good historical perspective and details. I have both and reference them often.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Phabulous Phantom Book!,
By Mishka "VVS Fan" (Tucson, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: USAF F-4 Phantom II MiG Killers 1965-68 (Combat Aircraft) (Paperback)
You have to love the Phabulous Phantom! It has to be the best looking fighter of the Vietnam era. Great color plates with some in original grey scheme. Nice color plate section of photos. Colonel Olds is da man! A worthy book in Osprey's series. Call sign of pilots in MiG killer list is a nice touch. Recommended.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
The Vietnamese Peoples' Air Force's initial complement of 36 MiG-17 and MiG-15UTI fighters was a gift from the Soviet Union, which had trained another 30 North Vietnamese pilots by mid-1965. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
gun pod, strike formations, turning fight, radar lock, seeker head, second kill, rear fuselage, minimum range Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Col Olds, Robin Olds, Ralph Wetterhahn, Steve Wayne, Bob Pardo, Phantom Ils, Rolling Thunder, Noi Bai, Phuc Yen, Don Logeman, North Vietnam, Doug Hardgrave, Dick Pascoe, Operation Bolo, Peter Schinkelshoek, Seventh Air Force, World War, Terry Talley, Bill Gordon, Capt John, Capt Gordon, Capt Pascoe, Col Jack, Col Ron Thurlow, Don Jay New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
The Vietnamese Peoples' Air Force's initial complement of 36 MiG-17 and MiG-15UTI fighters was a gift from the Soviet Union, which had trained another 30 North Vietnamese pilots by mid-1965. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
gun pod, strike formations, turning fight, radar lock, seeker head, second kill, rear fuselage, minimum range Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Col Olds, Robin Olds, Ralph Wetterhahn, Steve Wayne, Bob Pardo, Phantom Ils, Rolling Thunder, Noi Bai, Phuc Yen, Don Logeman, North Vietnam, Doug Hardgrave, Dick Pascoe, Operation Bolo, Peter Schinkelshoek, Seventh Air Force, World War, Terry Talley, Bill Gordon, Capt John, Capt Gordon, Capt Pascoe, Col Jack, Col Ron Thurlow, Don Jay New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 7
books:
See all 7 books this book cites
- South Korea (Modern Nations of the World) by Jean K. Williams in Back Matter
- Rolling Thunder by J. P. Smith on page 72
- South-East Asia (Macmillan black line masters) by Stephen Pascoe on page 49
- SOVIET UNION 2E CL/ DAVIES by Davies on page 7
- South Korea (Festivals of the World) by Monica Rabe on page 66
See all 7 books this book cites
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