USAF F-4 Phantom II MiG Killers 1972-73 (Combat Aircraft) [Paperback]

Peter Davies (Author), Jim Laurier (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2005 | Series: Combat Aircraft (Book 55)

The F-4 Phantom II was the USAF workhorse fighter-bomber for the Linebacker campaign of the Vietnam War (1955-1975), which eventually saw US forces withdraw from Vietnam 'with honour' in 1973. This book covers the F-4 attacks on numerous targets in North Vietnamese cities such as Hanoi and Haiphong, as well as its engagements with Vietnamese MiG-19s and MiG-21s hell-bent on defending the north from 'Yankee air pirates'. The USAF's only ace crew, which scored their five kills during 1972, is also covered in a book containing many detailed photographs, a large proportion of which haven't been published before.

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 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’. He is based in Bristol.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (May 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841766577
• ISBN-13: 978-1841766577
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #200,696 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Summary of 1972 Air Force MiG Killers!, August 10, 2005

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: USAF F-4 Phantom II MiG Killers 1972-73 (Combat Aircraft) (Paperback)

Noted aviation author Peter Davies concludes his two-volume history of USAF Vietnam War MiG killers with this volume covering the 1972-73 Linebacker I and II campaigns.

The Air Force's record over North Vietnam in 1972 and 1973 was spotty at best: 3 Air Force crewmen made ace and 48 MiGs were downed in all. However 24 USAF aircraft fell to MiGs and many kills were lost due to poorly performing missiles and poorly trained aircrew. Unlike their Navy counterparts, Air Force brass failed to learn from mistakes made in the 1965-68 period and the result was a 2-to-1 kill ratio in 1972/73. By contrast, Navy F-4 drivers, during this same period, racked up a 12-to-1 ratio. (Readers should check out Osprey's companion volumes on Navy
F-4 MiG killers).

Davies' book is typical Osprey fare - jampacked with first-person narratives, rare photographs and great color profiles by Jim Laurier. In short, a good introduction to the subject and great value for the price!

5.0 out of 5 stars Unbeatable for the money!, November 20, 2009

By 

Robert L. Baird "flytiger" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: USAF F-4 Phantom II MiG Killers 1972-73 (Combat Aircraft) (Paperback)

Typical Osprey Book with a ton of info and photos and profiles it is a must have for history buffs, model builders, and just plain F-4 Phantom fan's. Buy this and the other copies dealing with the 1965-1972 USAF era as well as the USN series and you will be delighted as I was! These are all great books and well priced considering the amount of material they cover.