P-47 Thunderbolt Aces of the Ninth and Fifteenth Air Forces (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 30) (Paperback)

~ Jerry Scutts (Author), Chris Davey (Illustrator) "When the Ninth Air Force was reorganised in England on 16 October 1943, plans were well advanced for an invasion of Europe..." (more)
Key Phrases: Ninth Air Force, Eighth Air Force, Twelfth Air Force (more...)

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Product Description

This book charts the story of the lesser known aces who flew the mighty Republic aircraft as a tactical fighter-bomber with the Ninth Air Force, rather than as a long-range escort. It also details the exploits of the Mediterranean-based 325th FG, which was the only P-47 group within the strategic Fifteenth Air Force. Thunderbolt aces within the Ninth Air Force, particularly, were rare, despite some 15 groups flying the fighter. Supporting troops on the ground rather than searching out aerial foes, was the name of the game for the men of the Ninth. However, with the Luftwaffe often opposing such sorties through to April 1945, more than 20 pilots had the opportunity to score five or more kills and 'make ace'.

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; illustrated edition edition (December 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855329069
• ISBN-13: 978-1855329065
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #820,052 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Miscellany of P-47 Aces!, June 27, 2008

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

To complete their coverage of P-47 aces, Osprey combined the Jug aces from the ETO-based 9th AF, a tactical organization, with those assigned to the 325th FG, the lone Thunderbolt group in the strategic 15th Air Force in the Med. It's a literary marriage of convenience...but it works. While the aerial exploits of the 'Checkertail Clan' are fairly well known, those of the 9th AF aren't, so Jerry Scutts' book, #30 in the 'Aircraft of the Aces' series, is a useful visit with old friends and new acquitances.

Though 9th AF Thunderbolts' main duty was fighter-bombers ops, almost two dozen 9th AF pilots made ace in the Republic fighter. Air combat between the Luftwaffe and 9th AF Jugs was fairly rare, resulting in many 9th AF groups having only one ace or none. High-scoring aces included Ed Fisher (362nd FG), Bob Coffey (365th FG), Bob Johnston (50th FG), Ed Edwards (373rd FG) and John Wainwright (404th FG); none of whom had totals in the double digits. By contrast the top 325th FG ace - 'Herky' Green - scored 10 kills while flying Thunderbolts.

If half votes were allowed, I would have given P-47 THUNDERBOLT ACES OF THE NINTH AND FIFTEENTH AIR FORCES 4 1/2 stars. While Scutts does a fair job on the 9th AF aces, he spends too much time describing the 9th's fighter-bomber exploits. I would have preferred more combat reports, etc. dealing with the air-to-air trade. Likewise he didn't include an index!

On the plus side, Scutts is a fine author and the narrative flows easily, especially the shifts back and forth between covereage of 9th AF units and the 325th sections. There's 90 photographs of pilots and aircraft along with 10 pages of nifty color side-views by Chris Davey. Ninth Jugs had some spectacular nose art as borne out by Davey's profiles of 'Wee Speck,' 'Five by Five' and 'Live Bait!'

Air combat and especially Jug fans should latch on to Scutts' book. It's an enjoyable, informative guide to some famous and not-so-well-known aces who flew that monster of a fighter. Recommended.