Strike from the Sea: U.S. Navy Attack Aircraft from Skyraider to Super Hornet, 1948-Present [Hardcover]

Tommy H. Thomason (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 2009

Strike from the Sea: U.S. Navy Attack Aircraft from Skyraider to Super Hornet 1948-Present celebrates carrier-based air-to-ground attack aircraft which first came into operation during the Korean War, reached maturity during Vietnam, and are deployed today throughout the world. Well-known author and naval aviation authority Tommy Thomason not only explores such legendary Navy aircraft as the A4D Skyhawk, A3J Vigilante, and A-6 Intruder, but also the critical role of the aircraft carrier itself, for without these massive nuclear-powered floating airfields, U.S. Navy attack aircraft would have no sea-borne bases from which to operate.
Armament from gravity bombs to today's GPS-guided smart weapons are covered in great detail, and this book also explains that while many different types of airplanes were required for flying attack missions in the past, only one aircraft - the advanced F/A-18E/F Super Hornet - is needed to carry out these same missions in an even more complex and hostile combat environment today.

Editorial Reviews

Review

2009 Military Writers Society of America Gold Book Award in the "Navy" category. "I give this book my highest recommendation, and suggest it for military history buffs or anyone inspired by airplane development or the US Navy." -----MWSA, reviewed by Hodge Wood, August 2009

Once again, we can count on Specialty Press to offer us the best book on a subject and this time it is on US Navy Strike aircraft. It is a book that I can easily recommend to you and I know that once you start to read it, you will agree. ---Modeling Madness, reviewed by Scott Van Aken, August 2009

Strike from the Sea is an entertaining analysis of an often ill-defined, occasionally misunderstood community that has seen a great deal of successful service in many conflicts. - --U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, October 2009, reviewed by Peter Mersky

Once again, we can count on Specialty Press to offer us the best book on a subject and this time it is on US Navy Strike aircraft. It is a book that I can easily recommend to you and I know that once you start to read it, you will agree. ---Modeling Madness, reviewed by Scott Van Aken, August 2009

Strike from the Sea is an entertaining analysis of an often ill-defined, occasionally misunderstood community that has seen a great deal of successful service in many conflicts. ---U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, October 2009, reviewed by Peter Mersky

About the Author

Tommy H. Thomason has worked as a flight test engineer, manager, and executive in the aerospace industry for nearly 40 years, including two years as a flight test engineer on the F-4 Phantom. He has flown more than 3,000 hours in 60 different airplanes, helicopters, and sailplanes. His previous works include U.S. Naval Air Superiority and monographs on the Grumman F-111B and the Bell HSL antisubmarine warfare helicopter.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 228 pages
• Publisher: Specialty Pr Pub & Wholesalers (July 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580071325
• ISBN-13: 978-1580071321
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #585,115 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply wonderful book chronicling the past 60 years of U.S. Navy attack aircraft, August 9, 2009

By 

James L. Spingarn "bird&aircraft book lover" (Glen Head, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Strike from the Sea: U.S. Navy Attack Aircraft from Skyraider to Super Hornet, 1948-Present (Hardcover)

This is wonderfully comprehensive and well written history of U. S. Navy attack aircraft and aviation over the past 60 years. The evolution of all the significant first-line planes and those that didn't quite make the grade and those that simply never left the drawing board is all presented in extremely readable and interesting fashion by Mr. Thomason. The quality and uniqueness of the photos and illustrations is excellent. The explanations of the differences, improvements, development of the aircraft and their weaponry is the best on the subject I've ever seen. A truly exceptional aviation volume, well above the usual offering. It expertly handles a complicated subject with great skill and accuracy. A fascinating and unique book, which I would unhesitatingly recommend to anyone interested in the subject matter. Additionally, Amazon is offering it at a very attractive price.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, again!, September 3, 2009

By 

James Atkins (Twentynine Palms, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Strike from the Sea: U.S. Navy Attack Aircraft from Skyraider to Super Hornet, 1948-Present (Hardcover)

Just as good as "U.S. Naval Air Superiority", Thomason's previous book. Lots of insight into the development of modern strike aircraft, and plenty of information about the blind alleys (A2U Attack Cutlass, for example). Also a lot of information about the little-known money pit/procurement disaster, the General Dynamics A-12. Excellent pictures and first-rate text. Authorative and informative; highly recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strike From the Sea, December 23, 2009

By 

Ewin T. Verdict (Lexington Park, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Strike from the Sea: U.S. Navy Attack Aircraft from Skyraider to Super Hornet, 1948-Present (Hardcover)

The book is thorough, comprehensive, very well written, accurate. A "must-have" for any one interested in carrier aviation.