Tomahawk and Kittyhawk Aces of the RAF and Commonwealth: [Paperback]

Andrew Thomas (Author), Tony Holmes (Author)

Book Description

Series: Aircraft of the Aces | Publication Date: November 13, 2002

Deemed unsuitable for the Channel Front, lend-lease Tomahawks and Kittyhawks instead became the staple fighters of the Desert Air Force in 1941-42, flying with RAF, South African and Australian squadrons in North Africa and the Middle East. Although usually outclassed by the Bf 109, a number of pilots enjoyed some success during the desert campaign – men like Caldwell, Gibbes, Edwards and Drake, all of whom accrued double figure scores. In the Far East, Australian and New Zealand pilots also saw much action against the Japanese in 1942/43, flying over the jungles of New Guinea in defence of the Australian mainland. This book charts the careers of the men who ‘made ace’ in these often underestimated fighters.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Authored by RAF officer and researcher Andrew Thomas, Tomahawk and Kittyhawk Aces of the RAF and Commonwealth is packed with engaging descriptions, contemplative facts, and interesting details in 112 pages. Combat reports and personal narratives fill the book. Pilots' accounts bring their war to life. Almost every page features at least one photograph, many revealing fascinating detail for the modeler and historian." -Fred Boucher, Aeroscale

From the Publisher

Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces series combines full colour artwork, the best archival contemporary photography, and first hand accounts from aces to bring history's greatest airborne conflicts to life.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing; 1 edition (November 13, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841760838
• ISBN-13: 978-1841760834
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,122,152 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brit P-40s in Action!, May 13, 2009

By 

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

This review is from: Tomahawk and Kittyhawk Aces of the RAF and Commonwealth: (Paperback)

Great Britain utilized large numbers of the Tomahawk and Kittyhawk models in the Med, Pacific and Aleutians during World War II. Though outclassed by some of the aircraft it opposed, the P-40 performed valiantly throughout the war. By war's end, some 46 pilots of this supposed 'second stringer' fighter had claimed five or more kills. Andy Thomas relates the story of the P-40 in RAF/Commonwealth service in this engaging 2002 Osprey 'Aircraft of the Aces' volume.

Pressed into service in North Africa, British Tomahawk and later Kittyhawk units held their own until arrival of the Bf 109F and FW 190. Pilots like 'Killer' Caldwell, Bobby Gibbes, 'Stocky' Edwards and Billy Drake took advantage of the P-40's strengths to run up 10, 15 or 20 kills. The P-40 didn't fare as well against the Bf 109F or FW 190, a result that can be traced to inexperienced British pilots facing experienced Luftwaffe experten and the P-40 being tasked with bomber escort duties or fighter-bomber missions. The P-40 experience in the PTO was similar, knowledgeable pilots such as Geoff Fisken and Guy Newton being successful if they flew the aircraft to its strengths.

Thomas, one of Osprey's better authors, offers a nicely done recap of the P-40's global service. (He even includes a section on its Hawk 75/Mohawk predecessor). A number of first-person reminiscences enlivens Thomas' narrative. Over 110 b&w photographs and 10 pages of Chris Davey color profiles help tell the tale.

In short, TOMAHAWK AND KITTYHAWK ACES OF THE RAF AND COMMONWEALTH provides a balanced, informative and nicely-illustrated summary of this maligned warbird and its pilots. I've always had a soft spot for the sleek, shark-mouthed Tomahawks of 112 Squadron so I enjoyed Thomas' book immensely. Recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great WW2 History of Commonwealth Aces., October 3, 2007

By 

Gullyraker "Barry H." (Moruya, Australia) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Tomahawk and Kittyhawk Aces of the RAF and Commonwealth: (Paperback)

This is a really well written & researched history of Commonwealth Aces & their actions in the Desert, New Guinea & the Pacific Areas. These Airmen are often overlooked in WW2 History & they achieved great results in Aircraft that were nowhere near as competitive as the Spitfire, Mustang & Thunderbolt etc.
The pictures are extremely good, great colour drawings of many Aces Aircraft & good first hand quotes. Highly recommended!