VIII Fighter Command at War

AIRCRAFT OF THE ACES Series, Book No 31 - SPECIAL: VIII Fighter Command at War

THE OFFICIAL TRAINING DOCUMENT COMPILED FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF THE FIGHTER ESCORTS OF THE ''MIGHTY EIGHTH''

This book focuses on the little known official Army Air Force report commissioned by the Eighth Air Force's VIII Fighter Command (FC) in May 1944.

The detailed document chronicled the experiences of 24 pilots who had seen extensive service in the frontline escorting B-17s and B-24s on daylight raids deep into Germany.

Briefed to provide a candid report on combat flying that could be used as a teaching 'manual' for potential fighter pilots, the VIII FC veterans openly discuss their secrets to success, and survival in the deadly skies over occupied Europe. Exactly half of those pilots who contributed to The Long Reach subsequently achieved ace status.

Contents:

• AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION
• PERIOD PREFACE BY MAJOR GENERAL W. E. KEPNER
• P-47 THUNDERBOLT PILOTS
• P-38 LIGHTNING PILOTS
• P-51 MUSTANG PILOTS
• APPENDICES

Compiled by: Michael O'Leary

Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Description: 144 pages, paperback, 52 aircraft colour profiles, 8 figure plates.

Condition: VERY GOOD+

Tags: EIGHTH AIR FORCE, MIGHTY EIGHTH, ETO, P-51 MUSTANG, P-47 THUNDERBOLT, P-38 LIGHTNING