MIG Master, Second Edition: The Story of the F-8 Crusader

By Barrett Tillman

Book Overview

To be equally enjoyed by professional aviators and aviation buffs with limited technical knowledge, this biography brings to life the legendary aircraft that scored the highest kill ratio of any U.S. fighter aircraft in the Vietnam War. The book is filled with authentic re-creations of Crusader-MiG fights and vivid descriptions of the people and events that are part of the F-8 story, including John Glenn's 1957 record-breaking flight across the United States in three hours and twenty-three minutes. As the Navy's first supersonic aircraft, the Crusader holds an honored spot in carrier flying, and the author shows why it is called one of the most capable, versatile, and long-lived aircraft in naval aviation history. Barrett Tillman effectively combines an exciting account of the F-8's operational history with a detailed and authoritative explanation of its design, construction, and modifications. Tillman recalls the years of frustration and experimentation spent in refining the aircraft and its gunnery system, and then takes the reader through key actions in Vietnam where seasoned pilots handled their rambunctious steeds with scarcely a glance in the cockpit. Extensive appendixes provide further details.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1591148685
• ISBN13: 9781591148685
• Release Date: March 2014
• Publisher: Naval Institute Press
• Length: 238 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.3" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

F-8 Crusader in combat

An account of several F-8 versus Mig encounters during the Wietnam War. It also gives an insight about the men that flew them and their opinions. A wonderful read for anyone interested in military aviation.

Mig Master

Book arrived within a few days and was in the condition that it was described or better, very happy with there service.

An Exciting, Authentic Account of a Classic Aircraft and Great Airmen

Barrett Tillman has long been the "gold standard" in naval aviation writing, and nowhere is his expertise more evident than in MiG Master. Long a classic in naval aviation literature, it is a solidly researched, exciting account that blends in equal measure the history of aviation technology, naval strategy, and combat operations, all well-seasoned with a strong "in the cockpit" flavor that is guaranteed to keep the reader firmly glued in the seat from the moment the book is opened until it is finished. Tillman's take is that the F-8 was a crucial fighter at a critical period in Vietnam air war history. Called at the time the "Last of the Gunfighters," it was the most successful air-to-air fighter of the war in classic high-g swirling furball dogfights. Considered by many an anachronism before the war began--an era when air-to-air missiles, then in the early stage of their own development, were hugely overvalued--the F-8 instead proved its mastery over a variety of opponents, all the way from supersonic merges and breaks in the substratosphere to tail-chases at levels so low that reeds in rice paddies were blown about by the F-8's aerodynamic wake. The combat results validated both the expectations of its designers, the training and expertise of its particularly aggressive pilots, and the dedication and skill of its maintainers, both ashore and afloat. Altogether a remarkable book by a remarkable historian, and an evocative portrayal of an era in naval aviation that is, alas, no more.

Very Good F-8 and US Navy Air Combat History Book

This book focus only on the F-8, thelast Navy fighter that was designed for gun air combat. You can find very detailed air combat record in Vietnam, including the time, place and names and you can really enjoy the contents and understand the other side of the stories of Navy air combat history in Vietnam

Another fine aircraft history from Mr. Tillman.

Barrett Tillman has long set the standard for aircraft histories, and this volume is an outstanding work dedicated to a unique, often forgotten and under-rated aircraft. The achievements of the F-8 aircraft and its fliers are well covered and entertainingly rendered in this fast reading narrative. An essential work for anyone interested in jet fighters, Vietnam air combat, or air warfare in general.