Product Description

To be equally enjoyed by professional aviators and aviation buffs with limited technical knowledge, this biography brings to life the legendary aircraft that scored the highest kill ratio of any U.S. fighter aircraft in the Vietnam War. The book is filled with authentic re-creations of Crusader-MiG fights and vivid descriptions of the people and events that are part of the F-8 story, including John Glenn's 1957 record-breaking flight across the United States in three hours and twenty-three minutes. As the Navy's first supersonic aircraft, the Crusader holds an honored spot in carrier flying, and the author shows why it is called one of the most capable, versatile, and long-lived aircraft in naval aviation history. Barrett Tillman effectively combines an exciting account of the F-8's operational history with a detailed and authoritative explanation of its design, construction, and modifications. Tillman recalls the years of frustration and experimentation spent in refining the aircraft and its gunnery system, and then takes the reader through key actions in Vietnam where seasoned pilots handled their "rambunctious steeds" with scarcely a glance in the cockpit. Extensive appendixes provide further details.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #299600 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

About the Author
BARRETT TILLMAN is also the author of Corsair: The F4U in World War II and Korea, The Dauntless Dive Bomber of World War II, Hellcat: The F6F in World War II, and Wildcat: The F4F in World War II, among other books.

Customer Reviews

Another fine aircraft history from Mr. Tillman.
Barrett Tillman has long set the standard for aircraft histories, and this volume is an outstanding work dedicated to a unique, often forgotten and under-rated aircraft. The achievements of the F-8 aircraft and its fliers are well covered and entertainingly rendered in this fast reading narrative. An essential work for anyone interested in jet fighters, Vietnam air combat, or air warfare in general.

Very Good F-8 and US Navy Air Combat History Book
This book focus only on the F-8, thelast Navy fighter that was designed for gun air combat. You can find very detailed air combat record in Vietnam, including the time, place and names and you can really enjoy the contents and understand the other side of the stories of Navy air combat history in Vietnam

F-8 Crusader in combat
An account of several F-8 versus Mig encounters during the Wietnam War.
It also gives an insight about the men that flew them and their opinions.
A wonderful read for anyone interested in military aviation.