Product Description

The USAF introduced the F-4C Phantom II into the Vietnam war in April 1965 from Ubon RTAB, Thailand. The F-4C/D soon became the Air Force's principal fighter over the North, destroying 85 MiGs by the close of 1968. This book describes how the USAF turned a gunless naval interceptor into an opponent to the more nimble VPAF MiGs. It explains how the Air Force gradually followed US Navy initiatives in the use of the F-4's missile armament but employed very different tactics and aircrew training. The roles of key personalities such as Col. Robin Oldany are discussed, together with armament and markings, crews and engagements.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #549253 in Books
• Published on: 2004-05-25
• Released on: 2004-05-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 96 pages

From the Publisher
Osprey's Combat series combines the best archival photography available with specially commissioned artworks and first hand accounts, making these books favourites amongst historians, modellers and aviation enthusiasts everywhere.

About the Author
Peter Davies has written or co-written nine books on modern American combat aircraft, including the standard reference work on US Navy and Marine Corps Phantom II operations, ‘Gray Ghosts’. Based in Bristol, Peter is also presently working with Brad Elward on another volume on F-4 MiG Killers in 1972-73.

Customer Reviews

F4's and Mig's
Just the book I needed for my project. If you were there you will enjoy this book

Air Force Phantoms Duel With Uncle Ho's MiGs!
Air Force F-4 crews had a mixed track record against the North Vietnamese Air Force during the Rolling Thunder phase of the Vietnam war. The initial success rate was not maintained as F-4 crews expended missile after missile without scoring kills. Despite the success of units like the 8th TFW and 388th TFW, the overall USAF MiG-killing experience from 1965 to 1968 was disappointing. Steve Davies charts those troubled times in this Osprey 'Combat Aircraft' volume, #45 in that series.

Initially much was expected of the record-setting F-4 Phantom when it deployed to Vietnam. In 1965 the VPAF was equipped only with the MiG-17, hardly a match for the Phantom. The gunless Phantom, designed as an interceptor, carried 'wonder weapons' in the form of Sparrow, Sidewinder and sometimes Falcon AAMs. Phantom crews were highly skilled in intercepts. Yet, by the end of Rolling Thunder, the kill-loss ratio was poor and the missile kill rate absolutely abysmal. What went wrong?

As borne out in Davies' informative and exciting book, the Phantom's lack of a gun, poor performing missiles and lack of ACM experience along with a highly effective NVN GCI system, introduction of the MiG-21 and other factors accounted for the poor showing in air combat.

USAF F-4 PHANTOM II MiG KILLERS 1965-68 puts the reader right in the Phantom's cockpit as numerous MiG killers relate their experiences. Adrenaline junkies will love this book - lots of yanking and banking, 'Fox One,' and "Splash One MiG' action related by Robin Olds, Phil Combies, Don Logeman, Dave Williams, Dick Pascoe and others. Yet Davies' book is not all wall-to-wall action, the author simultaneously discussing factors governing the kill rate.

Phantom Phreaks will also enjoy the over 60 black & white and 16 color photos of aircrew and aircraft along with nine color pages of nicely done F-4 profiles by Jim Laurier.

Air combat enthusiasts will want to add Steve Davies' book to their collection. It is an interesting, educational and well-illustrated introduction to Air Force Phantom crews in action over North Vietnam.
Highly recommended.