| Phil Fry | 08 Nov 2005 9:04 a.m. PST |
Need suggestions for good books on the Korean air war. Looking for descriptions of actual dogfights and info on the strengths and weaknesses of the planes involved. Thanks. |
| Some other name | 08 Nov 2005 9:11 a.m. PST |
off the top of my head – "Red Wings over the Yalu". A Chinese/Soviet view of the war. It's more about doctrine than plane performance. link |
| wminsing | 08 Nov 2005 9:15 a.m. PST |
Osprey 'Frontline Colour' series has a couple about the Korean Air War. They cover the operational history of units, describe some of the more notable engagements, and discuss how some of the planes matched up. A good reference to start with, IMHO. -Will |
| Tom Bryant | 08 Nov 2005 10:23 a.m. PST |
"MiG Alley" by Squadron signal is also quite good. |
| Mewling Goblin | 08 Nov 2005 10:05 p.m. PST |
Crimson Sky – (or skies?). Deals with a number of operational level efforts. The UN's successful transition from air superiority (never achieved supremacy) to close ground support, despite really innovative attempts by the North Koreans to thwart those efforts, to the disaster of pitting B-29s agains MiG-15s, and the frustration of dogfighting in MiG Alley, to face probable capture if you lost, and the Soviet/Chinese/or North Korean pilots' relatively easy run to sanctuary north of the Yalu. The book discusses the paltry and haphazard official records available, and underscores how much we _don't_ know about the conflict. Bloodier and more even honors than either side's propaganda would admit, there is a bizarre similarity to the airwar in the Spanish Civil War, as fare as the hodge podge of nationalities and aircraft involved. Very good stuff indeed! If you are ever near Dayton, Ohio, be sure to see the USAF Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB. They have many of the aircraft on display. P-80, F-84, MiG-15 and B-29. More obscure stuff such as the B-36 (there are only three still in existence). Big section on Viet Nam airwar as well. Another book that slips my mind and may may be in paperback now dealt with rescues of pilots downed behind enemy lines. Early whirley birds and covert Korean agents. Good stuff. Sorry I can't remember the title. |
| Mewling Goblin | 08 Nov 2005 10:09 p.m. PST |
Here is an Amazon link for Crimson Sky. link The link also makes mention of 'Hot Shots' – verbal memoirs of USAF/USMC/USN foghter pilots. I do not know how the author was able to make this book dull but she did. That was my impression at the time though. I will have to try it again. Crimson Sky is a really nice overview though. |
| colonelkurtz | 09 Nov 2005 7:22 a.m. PST |
simply the best book on the subject is the squadron/signal book '' air war over korea '' – covers all the major aircraft types with black and white photos , lots of colour plates and the text covers all the major engagements , aces etc , etc . |
| daveshoe | 09 Nov 2005 9:44 a.m. PST |
I'll second the Crimson Skies book. It covered a lot more than just Sabres vs. MiG-15s. But if you are interested in that part of the war, there is a relatively new book out from Naval Institute Press called 'Sabres over MiG Alley' link I haven't read my copy yet, but it looks like it will have some of the information you are looking for. Dave |
| Phil Fry | 09 Nov 2005 11:37 a.m. PST |
Thanks guys. Have ordered several of the books. |
| Tango01 | 24 Apr 2021 1:13 p.m. PST |
This could be an interesting article about Korean Air Fights…
link
Armand |
has been itching for a small Soviet project!