The Skull & Crossbones Squadron: VF-17 in World War II (Schiffer Military/Aviation History) [Hardcover]

Lee Cook (Author)

Book Description

Series: Schiffer Military/Aviation History | Publication Date: February 1, 1998

This is the true story of one of the most successful of all United States Navy Fighting Squadrons in World War II. They were the top guns of their day and came to be feared by the Japanese fighter pilots who described them as attacks on us by wolves. Th

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.; First Edition edition (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764304755
• ISBN-13: 978-0764304750
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,068 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lee Cook followed up his interest in Fighting 17 in 1993, by corresponding with Squadron Commander Tom Blackburn and attending the VF-17 reunion at Oshkosh in 1994. This led to Lee writing the definitive history of the squadron, "The Skull and Crossbones Squadron-VF-17 in World War II" which was published in 1998.
He has attended VF-17 reunions in the USA and been in contact and corresponded with all surviving pilots of the squadron, whilst conducting extensive and meticulous research over the last seventeen years.
He is the leading authority on Tom Blackburn's Fighting 17 and has just completed "Fighting 17 A Photographic History of VF-17 in World War II" which is due to be published in early 2011.
His forthcoming books include "The Aces of Fighting 17" and the diaries of a Pacific fighter pilot.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the real stuff carefully & meticulously documented., May 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Skull & Crossbones Squadron: VF-17 in World War II (Schiffer Military/Aviation History) (Hardcover)

This review is not a review. My Jolly Rogers shipmates and I lived it and some of us died in the struggle for the Solomon Islands and the Japanese kingpin at Rabaul.

My good friend Lee Cook from faraway England dedicated himself to this task for the better part of four years, and succeeded admirably.

We were bentwing Corsair fighter pilots. We gave it our best. For a time we were the uttermost tip of the spear of National power. We made a difference.

I hope you read about us.

Lee offered me the privilege of writing the foreword. I accepted as a heartfelt honor.

Very repectfully,

Wm. L. Landreth Commander U. S. Navy (ret.)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE SKULL & CROSSBONES SQUADRON VF-17 in World War II, May 10, 2008

By 

Sawbuck58to61 - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Skull & Crossbones Squadron: VF-17 in World War II (Schiffer Military/Aviation History) (Hardcover)

This text is a fitting tribute and memorial to the original personnel of VF-17. It and the associated photographic illustrations, also give us later generations, some insight as to how the F4U Corsair was developed and improved as a warfighting tool in WWII.
Well Done!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book,, February 6, 2008

By 

J. Bitzegaio - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Skull & Crossbones Squadron: VF-17 in World War II (Schiffer Military/Aviation History) (Hardcover)

Just adding my 2 cents to "Country's" comments. My Father and Country were wing-mates with VF17 and I have had the privilege to sit down and talk with Country about his and my Fathers war efforts. He is 100% right about Lee Cook's book and if you love Navy squadrons and information about the Corsair, there is no finer book. Lee's attention to detail and information is second to none. A must read for any Corsair fan.

Jim Bitzegaio