American Nightfighter Aces of World War 2

by Thompson, Warren; Thomas, Andrew; Davey, Chris; Postlethwaite, Mark

• ISBN13: 9781846033063
• ISBN10: 1846033063
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-09-23
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Summary

The Americans lagged behind their European contemporaries in military aviation in the late 1930s, and it took the Battle of Britain to awaken an isolated America to the necessity of having aircraft that could defend targets against nighttime attack by bomber aircraft. With the help of the RAF, the importance of creating such a specialized fighter force was given top priority. This book examines the numerous aircraft types that were used by the US in this role, beginning with the early 'stop-gap' conversions like the TBM Avenger, Lockheed Ventura and the A-20 Havoc (P-70). It goes on to detail the combat history of the newer and radar equipped Hellcats, Corsairs and Black Widows that were designed to seek out enemy aircraft (both German and Japanese) in Europe, the Mediterranean and the Pacific. It was these aircraft that registered most of the kills made by the Navy, Marine Corps and USAAF in 1944-45. Finally there are additional accounts from the American pilots who spent time on the frontline on exchange tours with the RAF in the ETO/MTO, learning the intricacies of flying radar-equipped fighters like the Mosquito and Beaufighter at night, prior to the USAAF taking receipt of the much-delayed P-61. With full color profiles and rare photographs, this is an absorbing account of an often underestimated flying force: the American Nightfighters.

Author Biography

Warren Thompson has had numerous books and magazine articles published over the past 30 years. His interest in the role of the American nightfighter in World War 2 has spanned this entire length of time, although he has also been successful in writing on the Korean War and Vietnam. Thompson has written books for Osprey since 1990, with his latest contributions being the Aces volumes on the 4th and 51st Fighter Wings in the Korean War, and a Combat Aircraft title on the F-117 in Operation Desert Storm.

Andrew Thomas is one of Britain's leading RAF researchers, having published numerous articles and books on the subject, as well as readily assisting other authors. Having joined the RAF to fly straight from school, he has maintained his enthusiastic interest in the history and development of his Service throughout his career.

Table of Contents

Groping in the Dark	p. 6
Serving the King	p. 13
Yanks in Beaus	p. 31
Enter the Black Widow	p. 55
'A Dangerous Business'	p. 73
Appendices	p. 89
Colour Plates Commentary	p. 91
Bibliography	p. 95
Index	p. 96
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.