Customer Reviews

Tomahawk and Kittyhawk Aces of the RAF and Commonwealth:

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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.

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!