Peter E. Davies, David Menard

F-100 Super Sabre Units of the Vietnam War

Illustrator: Ugolini, Rolando

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

"USAF F-100 Super Sabre Units of the Vietnam War".

Produktdetails

• Combat Aircraft
• Verlag: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
• Seitenzahl: 96
• Erscheinungstermin: 23. August 2011
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 249mm x 187mm x 9mm
• Gewicht: 312g
• ISBN-13: 9781849084468
• ISBN-10: 1849084467
• Artikelnr.: 32794034

Autorenporträt

Peter E Davies has published 19 books and several magazine features, concentrating on modern combat aircraft and the Vietnam War. He has written five previous Osprey titles and co-authored two others. His main photographic contributor for this book will be David W Menard, acknowledged as a world expert on the F-100 Super Sabre. David Menard and Peter Davies have published a successful previous title on this topic together.

Inhaltsangabe

Chapter 1 A very brief account of the design philosophy and development of
the aircraft from the F-100A day fighter driven by Korean War needs,
through the F-100C which provided Tactical Air Command's contribution to
the nuclear deterrent, to the improved F-100D, the workhorse for Tactical
Air Command world-wide and its war-horse in South Vietnam. Early
deployments to Don Muang Airport, Thailand, in April 1961 in response to
Pathet Lao incursion are followed by squadron-size deployments to Takhli
RTAFB in 1962 and the first combat missions from Da Nang, South Vietnam, in
June 1964. Chapter 2 In response to the Gulf of Tonkin incident, more
F-100Ds fly escort missions from Da Nang for reconnaissance flights over
Laos and South Vietnam. Combat air patrols over the Gulf of Tonkin bring
many near-engagements with MiGs, while the first loss on an attack mission
in Laos occurs in August 1964. Super Sabres begin Operation Barrel Roll
missions, including hazardous attacks on anti-aircraft sites, and fly
fighter cover and flak suppression for F-105 strikes in Operation Flaming
Dart. In November 1965 Operation Rolling Thunder involves three squadrons
of F-100s as MiGCAP and flak suppression elements. F-100D pilot Lt Hayden
Lockhart becomes the first USAF prisoner of war in Hanoi. Attacks on the
Than Hoa and Ham Rong Bridges involve five flights of F-100s and a probable
MiG kill for Capt Kilgus. F-4C Phantom IIs arrive and replace F-100s in the
MiGCAP role. Chapter 3 Four airbases are built or expanded in South Vietnam
to house three tactical fighter wings equipped with F-100s for the
'in-country' war, leaving only five F-100 squadrons in the USA. Intensive
close-support missions are flown, including challenging night missions over
the Ho Chi Minh trails. Pilots pride themselves on their accuracy and the
frequency of their missions. The chapter will discuss the F-100's flying
and fighting characteristics and the conditions and support networks at the
relevant airbases. Chapter 4 The conversion of F-100F airframes provided
the USAF with its first Wild Weasels, pioneering SEAD techniques that are
still in use and developing the equipment to defeat enemy radars and
radar-guided missiles and guns. Training is carried out in great secrecy
and four modified F-100Fs begin to operate from Korat RTAFB with F-105
bombers, destroying heavily defended SAM sites close to Hanoi. Missions
continue until July 1966. Chapter 5 'Misty' FAC The Commando Sabre
detachment at Phu Cat AB provides high-speed FAC for air strikes from 1967
to May 1970, flying some of the most dangerous missions of the war and
suffering heavy losses. They also fly combat air patrols for rescue
missions searching for aircrew shot down in hostile territory. Once again
the F-100 and its crews develop and introduce new battle techniques that
are still part of today's aerial warfare tactics. Appendices: F-100
deployments to Southeast Asia: units, dates and bases, with commanding
officers listed. F-100 specifications, performance and armament details
F-100 combat losses.