Blue Max Militaria

Allied Military Aviation
Home
About Us
New Items
WW II Action Figures
German Panzers
After The Battle Series
German Awards & Documents
German Navy
Knight`s Cross Holders, Biographies, Memoirs
German Helmets & Headgear WW II - WW I
German Units & Histories
Luftwaffe Books
German Uniforms - Organizations Equipment Weapons
German Operations - Battles
German Edge Weapons
Soviet Union Uniforms & Equipment
WW I Era Uniforms and Equipment
US Army & Marine Corps Unit Histories & Battles
Vietnam Uniforms & Awards
Allied Military Aviation
US Uniforms & Equipment, Weapons
US Helmets, Awards, Medals, Patches
US Airborne WWII
Miscellaneous Books
British Uniforms & Headgear
U.S. Military Medals
Personal Items #1
Personal Items #4
Ordering
Mailing List
Links

978-0-7643-4400-8.jpg

The 147th Aero Squadron in World War I: A Training and Combat History of the “Who Said Rats” Squadron
 

This book is the first complete history of the American Air Service's 147th Aero Squadron in World War I and provides, at last, an understanding of the role of this least known unit of the 1st Pursuit Group. This detailed account tells how various individuals responded as volunteers, describes the trials of training in Texas and Canada, explains the often ignored problems of transporting across the Atlantic and English Channel, and then reveals the thrilling, frustrating, and heroic combat actions of the 147th over the Western Front up to the Armistice.

Size: 8.5" x 11" | 128 illustrations | 240  pages, Cost - $59.99

978-0-7643-4380-3.jpg

Our Might Always: The 355th Fighter Group in World War II
 

Our Might Always: The 355th Fighter Group in World War II is an exhaustive history in day-by-day combat diary format with over 800 rare images of the 355th including fifty color profiles of P-47s and P-51s. The 355th was third in combined German aircraft destroyed during World War II, first in ground credits, and fifth in air-to-air victory credits within the 8th Air Force. The book is extensively researched with respect to Luftwaffe units engaged, the data tables are extremely detailed and extensive for aircraft, pilots, victory credits, pilot rosters, losses, aces scores and unit awards.

Size: 8 1/2" x 11" | 887 illustrations | 560 pages, Coast - $79.99

mmbk2104.jpg

12th and 15th Air Forces
 

Created in 1942, and immediately placed under the command of General Doolittle, the 12th Air Force was responsible for conducting Operation Torch on November 8, 1942.

The unit served with the Northwest African Air Forces from February to December 1943, then with the Allied Air Forces in the Mediterranean (MAAF) until the end of the war alongside the other unit presented in this work: the 15th Air Force.

Formed in November 1943, the 15th Air Force was established to operate in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO), primarily from air fields located in southern Italy where they were stationed. The objectives of both units were to destroy all the oil refineries and aircraft factories.

Gérard Paloque provides a well rounded overview of all those involved in the 12th and 15th Air Forces as well as the aircraft utilized by these two great units, bringing to life many of the objectives and results that have been often forgotten by World War II historians.

The reader will find a chapter dedicated to the famous Tuskegee airmen—the 322nd Fighter Group of the 15th Air Force, the United States’ first all-black air unit.  Paperback, 8.25" x 9.75", 128 pages, over 400 color profiles with approximatelys 50 photographs. Price-$34.95

9780764339554.jpg

The 5th Fighter Command in World War II: Vol.1: Pearl Harbor to the Reduction of Rabaul
 
Since end of WWII the major role played by the 5th Fighter Command in winning the war in the Pacific has been almost totally neglected. Wolf puts the air campaigns into strategic and tactical context, then breaks down every daily air battle into Fighter Groups and Squadrons using unit Narrative Combat Reports. Daily battles are then described by flights, elements, and individual pilots using over 9,000 newly released documents. Vol.1 describes the 5FC precursors in the Philippines, Java, and Australia and continues through Papua and New Guinea, and ends with the reduction of Rabaul in Nov.1943. Size: 8 1/2 x 11, Illustrations: 650+ color/bw images , Pages: 352. Price - $69.99 
 

9780764332357.jpg

New
U.S. Aerial Armament in World War II The Ultimate Look
Vol.1: Guns, Ammunition, and Turrets
 
Following his previous “Ultimate Look” volumes on the B-29, B-32, B-18, and B-25, Wolf has written the definitive book on U.S. aerial armament in World War II. Drawing from his extensive library, microfilm archives, and technical manuals Wolf covers aerial machine guns and cannon; a discussion of the machine gun vs. cannon controversy, ammunition; gunsights; gun cameras; search radar and radar gunsights; Central Fire Control systems and remote sighting; an extensive section on the development, installation, and description of the numerous bomber turret and non-turret gun positions; fighter aircraft armament; gunnery training; bomber and fighter air-to-air and strafing gunnery tactics; fighter and bomber gunnery “aces;” and a survey of the armament installations on all World War II U.S. fighters and bombers. Each topic is introduced by a history of its development and manufacture, followed by a detailed description and pictorial of the weapon, its installation, and use. Size: 8 1/2"x11" , Illustrations: over 520 bw images, Pages: 400. Price - $ 69.99

photo0gggggg024.jpg

New
U.S. Aerial Armament in World War II - The Ultimate Look Vol.2: Bombs, Bombsights, and Bombing
 
Following his previous "Ultimate Look" volumes on the B-29, B-32, B-18, and B-25, and volume one in the series on guns, ammmunition, and turrets, Wolf continues his definitive history of U.S. aerial armament in World War II. Drawing from his extensive library, microfilm archives, and technical manuals Wolf covers the development of Bombs and Bombing Theory and Strategy; and extensive chapter on Conventional Bombs and fuses; Bomb Handling and Release and Control Mechanisms; an extensive chapter on Conventional and Rader Bombsights; The Bombardier: Bombing Missions Described Bombing Tactics; Effects of Bombs; Miscellaneous Ordance. Size: 8.5"x11", over 500 color b/w images, 320 pages. Price - $69.99

photo00ggggggg19.jpg

New
The Forgotten Squadron
The 449th Fighter Squadron in World War II
Flying P-38s with the Flying Tigers, 14th AF
 
The men of the 449th Fighter Squadron called themselves the "forgotten squadron". Despite serving to great effect as the only P-38 fighter squadron with the flying Tigers in China, the 449th received little press or praise during or after the war. Ironically, the unit participated in the 14th Air Force`s greatest missions, including the daring Thanksgiving Day raid on Taiwan, "accidentally" shooting down one of the top-ranking Japanese Generals in China and even supporting Ho Chi Minh against the Japanese in Indochina. Having spread its wings fromTaiwan to the Salween Front, the 449th is the perfict case study to investigate Major General Claire Lee Chennault`s air war over China in World War II. Size: 8.5"x11", over 220 colorb/w images, 256 pages. Price - $69.99

photo00ggggggg23.jpg

New
Liberators Over Norwich
The 458th Bomb Group (H), 8th USAAF at Horsham St. Fath 1944-1945
 
The 458th Bomb Group (H) entered combat with the 8th Air Force early in 1944. Based at Horsham St. Fath in England, the combat crews participated in the decisive Campaigns - "Big Week", 'Big B', D-Day and the assult on Germany`s oil industry - waged by the USAAF up to VE-Day. The group also tested the operational use of 'Azon' radio controled bombs. the 458th flew a total of 240 missions, during which over 13,000 tons of ordnance was dropped and was achieved at the cost of sixty five crews MIA or involved in operational accidents. This is their complete history. Size: 8.5"x11", over 400 colorb/w images, 304 pages. Price - $69.99

0887405193.jpg

Black Sunday  Ploesti!
 
Tidal Wave! August 1, 1943. The legendary low level raid on Ploesti, Rumania by the 376th, 93rd, 44th, 389th and 98th Bomb Groups, is described by author/historian Mike Hill in this new large format, 50th Anniversary book. Never before published photos taken during the raid, many from the original negatives, dramatically show the raid, and give the reader a sense of the intensity of fierce flak, and aerial combat. Mike has interviewed many of the surviving veterans of the mission, giving the story a personal flavor from the unique view-point of the crew members. Also included is a complete listing of the aircraft and crews that flew the mission. Mike Hill also the author of The Desert Rats: The 98th Bomb Group and the August 1943 Ploesti Raid. The dust jacket artwork for this new book is by Mike Boss. Size: 9" x 12", Illustrations:over 350 b/w photographs,   Pages: 256 . Price - $45.00
 
 

90036.jpg

B-24 Liberators of the 15th Air Force/49th Bomb Wing in World War II
 
The first in a planned series that presents the B-24 Liberators used by the 15th Air Force in World War II, noted B-24 historians Robert Beitling and Mike Hill present for the first time the biographies of the individual B-24s used by the 451st, 461st and 484th Bomb Groups of the 49th Bomb Wing in Italy. As much information as is known about the individual aircraft is presented in biographical form: serial number, nickname, how the aircraft received its nickname, number of missions, original aircraft for the groups, and the ultimate fate of the aircraft. The volume will be of interest to historians, veterans and those who are interested in the B-24s that flew in the flak filled skies of the Third Reich. Size: 81/2"x11, Illustrations: over 300 b/w photographs , Pages: 256.  Price - $59.95

9780764332371.jpg

New
High Noon over Haseluenne
The 100th Bombardment Group over Berlin, March 6,1944
 
On March 6, 1944, and the Eighth Air Force would launch a full scale assault on the German capital of Berlin. “High Noon over Haseluenne” is a microcosm look at one bomb group that flew the mission and the catastrophic results that ensued. The book deals with the 100th Bomb Group, “The Bloody Hundredth” and the mission that solidified that moniker. The concentrated attacks by the Luftwaffe would destroy sixty-nine American bombers that day, the single highest loss for any mission by the 8th Air Force, and fifteen of those losses would come from the 100th Bomb Group. We take you inside the men and machines that had to brave one of the deadliest air battles of World War II and let them tell the story. “High Noon over Haseluenne” is filled with firsthand accounts, personal diaries, letters home, news clippings, and illustrated with over 200 photos. Size: 8 1/2"x11", Illustrations: over 200 bw images,  Pages: 320 . Price - $69.99
 

9782352501374.jpg

New
5th AIRFORCE

The 5th US Army Air Force was officially created on 5 February 1942 in the urgency following the Japanese surprise attack at Pearl Harbor. At the outset, with limited means and equipped with obsolete materiel, its various units were tasked with defending Australia.

Commanded by the charismatic Major-General George Kenney, it was progressively reinforced by new squadrons arriving from the United States. Better armed, the 5th Air Force fought in the long and ferocious New-Guinea campaign and took part in the allied conquest of various south west Pacific islands.

Its tally of kills at the end of the war is indicative of its performance, with notably an un-equalled record of more than 3,400 aerial victories and the presence within its ranks of the two greatest American aces of all time, Majors Bong and McGuire.

This massively illustrated book is the first real reference published on the colors and markings of the 5th Airforce. Size: 8x10, 112 pages, 120 photos, 220 color profiles. Price - $34.95

mmbkg0773.jpg

New
 
9TH AIR FORCE American Tactical Aviation in the ETO, 1943-45
 
During the preparation of the Normandy Invasion, the American high command realized soon enough that the 8th Air Force, which was wholly committed to strategic bombing, could not undertake the close support of ground units in this major offensive. The keystone of operation "Overlord" would indeed be mastery of the skies: tactical aviation had to be able to intervene quickly and precisely, and to operate from bases on the Continent.  The heavy bombers, as they were dependent on large and permanent airfields, could not be called upon for such tasks. The concept of on-call tactical air support was therefore paramount in the Overlord plans and the 9th Air Force was transferred to England for this purpose. The hundreds of hitherto unpublished photos copied out from the pilots and crews' albums, and the full-color reconstruction of their flying gear are a unique testimony to the day to day life of 9th Air Force personnel and the missions of combat crews. Let us look at these men's faces, they belong to the Past but we owe them our Freedom.  This book is dedicated to the memory of the airmen and soldiers of the Ninth Air Force who gave their all for the Liberation of Europe. Hard cover, 9" x 12", 196 pages. Price: $59.95

mmbk096.jpg

New
 
8TH AIR FORCE
America's Heavy Bomber Groups in England , 1942-45
 
America’s strategy for complete victory over Nazi Germany called for the utter destruction of major its major industrial areas. These raids were carried out as early as 1942 by hundreds of heavy bombers from the US 8th Air Force, based in England.  The descriptions of combat missions flown by B-17 crews over occupied Europe and the Reich are illustrated with official and private pictures taken from the personal albums of pilots, crew members, mechanics and Air Force photographers. Gregory Pons is one of the leading European experts on American military aviation in World War II. He has contributed several articles to the French Militaria Magazine and has been collecting Air Force memorabilia and photo-albums for over twenty years.  The book contains hundreds of large format period pictures of actual missions, planes and crews; as well as personal mementoes and reproductions from servicemen’s scrapbooks.There are color plates of all the famous aircraft and their colorful livery (including nose art) together with full-color reenactment shots of the aircrew allowing for all the details of their flying clothing and equipment to be seen in extreme detail.  Size: 9" x 12", Hard cover, full color throughout!, (rzm) Price: $59.95

 

0764325345.jpg

New
The 8th Air Force: Victory and Sacrifice
A World War II Photo History
 
The defeat of Germany was the first priority of the Allies in World War II. Japan would come later. The destruction of Germany’s vast military-industrial base was the mission assigned to the RAF and the U.S. Eighth Air Force. Starting from scratch in July 1942 and operating from bases in England, the Eighth Air Force assumed the task of daylight precision bombing of Occupied Europe. In a three-year struggle against fortifiable German air defenses and the legions of the Luftwaffe, the Eighth paid a terrible price. It suffered 55,000 casualties (killed, wounded and Prisoners of war), more than any other numbered U.S. military unit. This volume seeks to provide an historical perspective of the air campaign over Western Europe, utilizing 270 representative photos and detailed captions to depict the deadly nature of that aerial combat some six decades ago. Size: 8.5"x11", over 270 b/w and color photographs, maps , 160 pages. (sch) Price - $39.95

battlecolors.gif

New

Battle Colors: Insignia and Aircraft Markings of the Eight Air Force in World War II; Volume 1: (VIII) Bomber Command
Relying heavily upon visuals, Battle Colors fills a long standing void in the annuals of the Eighth Air Force during World War II. this volume focuses on all forty-eight Bomb Groups comprising the Eighth and features color illustrations depicting the evolution of all fuselage, wing and tail markings assigned to the individual units. Details concerning are addressed. Group and squadron combat insignia as well as airfield location maps for each unit are also depicted. All bombardment units incorporated within the Eighth are indexed and easily cross-referenced by squadron, group, wing and division assignments. Additionally, all major components comprising the Eighth have been organized into quick reference organizational flow charts that show the actual order-of-battle for the "Mighty Eighth". This book is an invaluable tool for anyone with an interest in the history of the U.S. Eighth Air force in World war II. Size: 8.5"x11", illustrations, over 500 color illustrations, 128 pages. Price - $45.00

0764325353.jpg

New
Battle Colors - Insignia and Aircraft Markings
Vol.2: (VIII) Fighter Command
 
This second volume in the Battle Colors series completes the study of the insignia and markings of the 8th AAF during World War II. Whereas the first volume covers 8th Bomber Command, Volume II focuses on the Fighter Groups, Scouting Force and Special Operations units of the Mighty Eighth. Battle Colors approaches a visual subject in a visual manner utilizing full color illustrations and wartime photographs. All known unit insignia, tactical markings and identification codes are depicted with the proper placement for all aircraft types flown during the war. Additionally, this work includes diagrams showing approved specifications for the size and placement of all versions of the U.S. insignia as applied to USAAF P-38, P-47 and P-51 fighter aircraft. Also included are all unit airfield location maps and order-of-battle charts for all combat air elements assigned to the 8th AAF from June 1942 through June 1945. The Battle Color series should be considered an essential addition to the library of anyone with an interest in USAAF combat air operations during World War II. Size: 9"x12", over 600 color profiles, insignia, photographs, and maps , 144 pages. (sch) Price - $45.00 
 

9780764329388.jpg

Battle Colors Volume 3
Insignia and Tactical Markings of the Ninth Air Force in World War II
 
This third volume in the Battle Colors series focuses on the unit insignia and tactical aircraft markings of the 9th USAAF in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. All combat elements assigned to the Ninth AAF in the UK from 1943-45 are included: fighter, troop carrier, bombardment, reconnaissance, night fighter and liaison units. Squadron fuselage codes and recognition colors are shown within their respective sections and include maps with chronological listing and dates of each unit's assigned stations. Camouflage paint schemes with diagrams showing government specifications for the official placement of insignia and tactical markings for all major USAAF combat aircraft in the ETO are also covered. Size: 9"x12", Illustrations: over 400 color/bw images , Pages: 168 . Price - $45.00

photo00gggggg22.jpg

New
Battle Colors Vol.4
Insignia and Aircraft Markings of the USAAF in World War II
European/African/ Middle Eastern Theaters
 
Volume 4 of the battle Colors series concludes the examination of USAAF combat insignia and aircraft tactical markings in the European Theater during World War II. Covered within this work are the Ninth, Twelfth, and the Fifteenth AAF`s from the first  to last combat operations by U.S. air power in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. These operations were extensive and covered territory extending from the sands of North Africa to the heartland of Germany and from the shores of Frence Morocco to the oil fields of Romania. Combat units covered include both Day and Night fighters, Bombers, Troop Transports, and Reconnaissance and Special Operations groups/squadrons. Aircraft tacatical markings are depicted via orginail full color illustrations showing full and close up profiles in addition to upper elevation views. Size:9"x12", over 400 color b/w images, 144 pages. Price - $45.00
 

0764324225.jpg

New
The Sky Scorpions ; The Story of the 389th Bomb Group in World War II
The 389 Bomb Group was unique among all Groups assigned to the 8th USAAF because it actually commenced operations in July 1943 out of North Africa that culminated in the infamous Ploesti mission on 1 August. After returning to England in September, the combat crews joined in on the grim duty of hammering Nazi Germany’s industrial resource. By April 1945, 321 missions had been flown during which over 17,000 tons of ordnance was dropped. The cost was 153 B-24s MIA or lost over England. Known as the “Sky Scorpions” from their detachment in North Africa, the Hethel-based unit also provided the initial numbers of PFF-equipped aircraft for the 2nd Bomb Division. Size: 8.5"x11", 272 pages, over 420 b/w photographs. (sch) Price - $59.95

0764324284.jpg

New
The Long Campaign
The 15th Fighter Group was activated in December 1940 as part of the old Hawaiian Air Force. It served its baptism of fire a year later when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and Oahu’s airfields. Utilizing personal interviews with veterans as well as official records, the author creates a wartime chronicle of combat operations across the Central Pacific. The 15th fought on the first day of the war and was still in combat on the last day, flying seven- to eight-hour missions from Iwo Jima to Honshu. This history won an award from the Aviation Writers Association. Size: 8.5"x11", 192 pages, over 300 b/w photographs. (sch) Price - $49.95

076432165x.jpg

New
The 467th Bombardment Group (H) in World War II
In this new 8th Air Force unit history, Perry Watts sets out the history of the USAAF 467th Heavy Bombardment Group, which was based at Rackheath, Norfolk, in the east of England, during 1944-1945. In contrast to the operational focus of many books on the USAAF in the period, the author presents the B-24 Liberator Group’s story as a seamless whole. The main feature of this work lies in its usage of a wealth of primary sources, ranging from contemporaries’ diaries and notes of airmen of every rank from private to deputy base commander, to USAAF official records of incidents and occurrences in the line of duty. To date, many of the works on this subject have relied on secondary borrowing or hearsay – this book lets the men who were there speak for themselves with their own voices. Yet while offering direct access to their experience, it also is unafraid to note ambiguities in accounts where these should be noted and to present all available information to enable the readers to decide for themselves. Size: 8.5"x11", 288 pages, 475 b/w photographs. (sch) Price - $59.95

0764324519.jpg

New
Consolidated B-32 Dominator
Over the years the B-32 has been described only in a small number of magazine articles and in a booklet that have generally given a superficial and incomplete account, maligning the bomber, fairly or not, as a mediocre design besieged with developmental problems and a lackluster combat record. Consolidated B-32 Dominator - The Ultimate Look: from Drawing Board to Scrapyard is the definitive description and appraisal of this neglected bomber’s development, testing, manufacture, and combat experience. The author used company design and production information, flight and test evaluations, along with previously unexplored Flight Manuals and Consolidated-Vultee Erection and Maintenance Manuals. From rare microfilm of original material and insights and personal narratives of the personnel involved, Wolf has gathered information on the pre-combat testing and all the combat missions of the bomber in the Pacific. Size: 8.5"x11", 192 pages, over 140 b/w photographs.(sch) Price - $49.95

feasavbo03.jpg

Fighter Units & Pilots of the 8th Air Force September 1942 - May 1945, Vol.1
This extremely detailed two volume set gives an overall statistical summary of 8th Air Force fighter operations during World War II. Covering the period of September 1942 through the end of the war in May 1945, the story of the 8th's fighters is presented in an easy to read format. Each volume also contains over 170 photographs of the pilots and their aircraft. Over the years, many books have been written about the 8th Air Force, but none have combined all the details that appear in these volumes - volume one combines the 8th Air Force's day-to-day operations with individual unit histories; volume two lists all scores and ace details. Kent Miller's books are an invaluable aid to the researcher and historian. Size: 9"x12", over 170 b/w photographs, 536 pages. (sch) Price - $59.95

feasavbo04.jpg

Fighter Units & Pilots of the 8th Air Force September 1942 - May 1945, Vol.2
This extremely detailed two volume set gives an overall statistical summary of 8th Air Force fighter operations during World War II. Covering the period of September 1942 through the end of the war in May 1945, the story of the 8th's fighters is presented in an easy to read format. Each volume also contains over 170 photographs of the pilots and their aircraft. Over the years, many books have been written about the 8th Air Force, but none have combined all the details that appear in these volumes - volume one combines the 8th Air Force's day-to-day operations with individual unit histories; volume two lists all scores and ace details. Kent Miller's books are an invaluable aid to the researcher and historian. Size: 9"x12", over 170 b/w photographs, 400 pages. (sch) Price - $59.95 


0764321587.gif

New
Flying Dragons
The South Vietnamese Air Force
 
This book contains the most complete history of the South Vietnamese Air Force that surviving records and accounts can convey. In many ways, this is an American story; since VNAF was organized, trained, equipped, and attained its maximum strength under the tutelage of the US military. In view of numbers of aircraft, the South Vietnamese Air Force emerged as the fourth largest Air Force in the world-behind Communist China, the United States, and the Soviet Union. This is not a political history of the Vietnam War; rather it is the story of the transition of the VNAF from an under-trained and ill-equipped French Air Force auxiliary unit to a size during its 20-year life span, so large that it was almost incapable of sustaining itself with sufficient numbers of trained personnel and support materials. This is an up-dated version of the book by this same name and author published in 1988, which now features an abundance of color photographs and new incites of the air force’s role in that war that have settled with time. Size: 8.5"x11", over 300 color and b/w photos, 200 pages. Price - $49.95
 
 
 

076432067x.gif

13th Fighter Command in World War II
Air Combat over Guadalcanal and the Solomons
 
In the savage air combat over Guadalcanal and then the equally bloody air battles up Solomon chain, New Georgia and Bougainville, 13th Fighter Command took a back seat to Marine aviation in personnel, equipment, supply, operations, and publicity. In the air the names of Marine aces such as Joe Foss and Pappy Boyington are deservedly well known and their F4F Wildcats and the F4U Corsairs are famous as Zero killers. But untold is the contribution of the squadrons of the Army Air Force during this time. Wolf’s definitive book brings to light the 13th Fighter Command’s significant contributions to winning the air war in the South Pacific. Its squadrons scored 527.5 victories and boasted twenty-one unheralded aces such as Bob Westbrook with twenty victories and Bill Harris with 15.5 victories and three aces who scored five victories in a day. The mystery of the controversial Yamamoto Mission, the greatest fighter mission of all time, receives a new perspective and is revealed at last. Wolf’s book also goes beyond his extensive descriptions of combat and strategy and examines the human side of the battles and often grim everyday living conditions through numerous interviews and narratives. Size: 8.5"x11", over 400 b/w photos, color aircraft profiles, 320 pages. (sch) Price - $59.95

076430447x.gif

Any Place, Any Time, Any Where
The 1st Air Commandos in World War II
 
The 1st Air Commandos were sired by General of the Army Henry H. "Hap" Arnold and brought to life by the imagination of two men, Lieutenant Colonel Philip G. Cochran and Lieutenant Colonel John R. Alison. In gathering men of character and tenacity, these two visionaries molded a unit which had to overcome orthodox military minds, paralyzing fear, and Burma's impregnable terrain before taking the fight to the Japanese. With a focus on the might and flexibility of air power, Cochran and Alison constructed an experimental unit which cut across the structured lines of conventional organizations. Forming an air arsenal which was totally unique in its composition and application, they combined the firepower of P-51A fighters and B-25H bombers with the logistical tentacles of C-47 transports, CG-4A gliders, L-5 and L-1 light planes, and UC-64 bush planes to reach far behind Japanese lines. The list of firsts is noteworthy - first airborne glider "snatch" in combat, first double tow of gliders into a combat arena, first helicopter operations, first helicopter combat rescue, first gunship employment, and first rockets fired against an enemy. Unorthodox and eclectic, the 1st Air Commandos serve as a model for conventional and special operations today. Size: 8.5"x11", over 200 b/w photos and maps, 176 pages. (sch) Price - $39.95
 
 

0887408087.gif

Attack & Conquer
The 8th Fighter Group in World War II
 
The 8th fought the best Zero pilots, and took the war to the enemy with P-38s over Rabaul and Hollandia. Size: 8.5"x11", over 500 photos, 320 pages. (sch) Price - $45.00

 

0887405193.gif

Black Sunday
Ploesti!
 
Tidal Wave! August 1, 1943. The legendary low level raid on Ploesti, Rumania by the 376th, 93rd, 44th, 389th and 98th Bomb Groups, is described by author/historian Mike Hill in this new large format, 50th Anniversary book. Never before published photos taken during the raid, many from the original negatives, dramatically show the raid, and give the reader a sense of the intensity of fierce flak, and aerial combat. Mike has interviewed many of the surviving veterans of the mission, giving the story a personal flavor from the unique view-point of the crew members. Also included is a complete listing of the aircraft and crews that flew the mission. Mike Hill also the author of The Desert Rats: The 98th Bomb Group and the August 1943 Ploesti Raid. The dust jacket artwork for this new book is by Mike Boss. Size: 9"x12", over 350 b/w photos, 256 pages. (sch) Price - $45.00
 

yoxfordboys.jpg

New
To War With The Yoxford Boys.
Covering several hundred pages, utilising hundreds of photos and dozens of colour profiles and paintings, the story about fighter pilots, fighter planes, the ground crews of many trades and the military unit that gave them cohesion making them an outstanding team – the complete story of the 357th is told. As the official historian for the 357th and a dedicated history buff, author Merle Olmsted has been associated with and written about fighter pilots and ‘his group’ for some 50 years. Included are listings from the official documents tallying the group’s accomplishments. Utilising mission reports, monthly statistical and operational reports, the pilot’s individual encounter reports, the Missing Aircrew reports, USAAF accident reports and the British police reports on accidents among other information laden personal notes, books, articles plus the original 357th Group records on file at the Air Force Historical Archives, Olmsted weaves together the many stories, comments, incidents and hairy tales of the 357th F.G. To War with the Yoxford Boys is the final, ‘super’ book on the 357th. As of fall 2001, the 357th Fighter Group Association, a post-war gathering of their members, has ‘turned out the lights and locked the hanger doors’. Hard cover, 8 1/2" x 11", 300 pages, wartime color and b+w photos with color plates. (RZM) Price - $64.95