Aircraft of the Aces
2 primary works • 3 total works
Book 59
Israeli delta fighter pilots have been credited with almost 300 kills between 1966 and 1974, and dozens of them became aces. The Israeli aerial kill rate and overall air-to-air performance was phenomenal. Although the Israeli pilots were flying Mach 2 fighters, they lacked any modern radar equipment and their MiG-21 flying opponents should have had a performance edge over them. Engagements were essentially World War 2 style dogfights fought with jet aircraft and because neither side had the combat edge to disengage at will most engagements were a die or survive struggle. In this theatre the introduction of air-to-air missles and the Israeli nesher was to prove decisive. This book contains rare first-hand accounts from a number of the aces, plus material from combat reports which have remained classified since the 1970s.
Book 60
In Israeli service the multi-role F-4 flew attack and air-to-air missions with equal success, yet due to the availability of the Mirage III and Nesher delta fighters, the American aircraft flew mainly air-to-ground missions. Nevertheless, aces were created, and the story of these crews is described through first-hand accounts in this unique volume. Indeed, the human aspects of fighting in a two-seat fighter-bomber against formidable and sometimes superior defences are thoroughly analysed. Teaming pilots with previous experience of the Mirage III with transport or newly graduated navigators proved ultimately to be a successful approach. This is the first volume ever to be dedicated exclusively to Israeli F-4 aces.
