U.S. Navy Air Combat 1939-1946 [Paperback]

Robert L. Lawson (Author), Barrett Tillman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2001

Remarkable period color photos depict the American aircraft and airmen that fought the Japanese in the skies over the Pacific Ocean.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Barrett Tillman is the author of many fiction and nonfiction books including, Clash of the Carriers and Hellcats. He lives in Mesa, Arizona.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks International (January 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760310440
• ISBN-13: 978-0760310441
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,090,542 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for your aviation library, April 15, 2010

By 

dennis (fort valley, va, United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: U.S. Navy Air Combat 1939-1946 (Paperback)

I like any book that has pictures of airplanes, but too many of them are not writen well, are difficult to identify photos with copy, and are illogical in their layouts. None of these problems can be found in this book. Larson knows his subject, and has found some photos of aircraft I have never seen, at least in their original navy fleet paint.

The period of 1939-1946 were the WWII years. Probably no time before, or after will so many aircraft or pilots fly from the decks of carriers. Nostalgia for weapons of war may seem inappropriate, but so were the armor suits that adorne museums and wherever they are viewed as the weapons of a particular time. Fortunately or unfortunately, so good comes from war. Technology to kill an enemy often translates into a benefit in peacetime. Without the military interest in Aircraft, we wouldn't be crossing the Oceans in comfort and safety.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, Excellent History of Navy Air in World War II!, September 2, 2009

By 

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

This review is from: U.S. Navy Air Combat 1939-1946 (Paperback)

Any time you come across a naval aviation book co-authored by Bob Lawson and Barrett Tillman, you know you're getting the A-team! Two of our finest aviation writers, Lawson and Tillman combined their considerable talents in 2000 to produce this informative, colorful tribute to U. S. Naval aviation in the Second World War. U. S. NAVY AIR COMBAT 1939-1946 definitely rates an OK-3 wire!

Within the book's 176 pages, Lawson and Tillman present a knowledgeable, insightful and entertaining history of Naval aviators at war. Dividing the topic into five chapters - From the Golden Age into Darkness, The Atlantic Pall, Toward the Rising Sun, The Mentors: Training Command and Twilight of War - they describe the development of the Navy from its paltry pre-war state into the largest and deadliest navy in the world. They skillfully weave first-person reminiscences throughout their narrative that puts the reader in the cockpit. U.S. NAVY AIR COMBAT 1939-1946 is great history...and a great read.

And then there's the gorgeous full-color photographs - over 200 in all - depicting F3Fs, Wildcats, Hellcats, SBDs, Ducks, Catalinas, SB2Cs, Avengers, Corsairs, Bearcats, Seahawks, pilots/aircrews/aces, various USN and IJN carriers, etc. Truly a visual delight for navy buffs.

This book is a must-have for anyone interested in carrier aviation. It dramatically brings the naval war in the Pacific vividly to life in words and images. Highly recommended.