Customer Reviews

Long Reach VIII Fighter Command at War (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 31)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are expecting the usual Osprey formula of pretty pictures and shallow historical sketches, this one is not for you. The core of this book is a reprint of a document distributed by VIII Fighter Command during the war. It is basically a manual for fighter leaders, written by some of the all-time greats. The document is comprised of replies by each man in response to a letter which contained questions about the tactics and techniques they employed. It is a snapshot of the "state of the art" tactics that were used to destroy the Luftwaffe. Instead of hazy recollections by veterans in History Channel interviews, we get a glimpse into the minds of these tacticians as they were winning the war. It may be dry reading for modelers or other casual readers, but for students of WWII fighter tactics it is a gold mine. Hats off to Osprey for publishing this document.

I found this book disapointing, especially with regards to the color artwork. Most of the 40 color profiles have already appeared in the other volumes of this series; so for someone who is collecting the entire series, and is primarily interested in the color profiles, there is very little in the way of new material..

If you are expecting the usual Osprey formula of pretty pictures and shallow historical sketches, this one is not for you. The core of this book is a reprint of a document distributed by VIII Fighter Command during the war. It is basically a manual for fighter leaders, written by some of the all-time greats. The document is comprised of replies by each man in response to a letter which contained questions about the tactics and techniques they employed. It is a snapshot of the "state of the art" tactics that were used to destroy the Luftwaffe. Instead of hazy recollections by veterans in History Channel interviews, we get a glimpse into the minds of these tacticians as they were winning the war. It may be dry reading for modelers or other casual readers, but for students of WWII fighter tactics it is a gold mine. Hats off to Osprey for publishing this document.