Corsair: The F4U in World War II and Korea

The book was in excellent condition!

Great gift.

An inthralling history of the evolution of a highly successful WWII military aircraft and the men of a number of nations that flew it.

A book for serious fans of the F4U Corsair from its conception through its land and carrier based roles in the Pacific and its operations in the Korean War, Suez, and Central and South America. Clearly written. The aircraft did not begin its carrier mission til well into WW2. It’s mission as a ground based fighter distinguished its early history before carrier ops found it essential-especially against kamikazes.

Barrett Tillman's books are usually a source book for any book written about World War II in the Pacific, carrier operations, or about individual aircraft. This fine book on the Corsair is the full story of the aircraft and those who flew them and those who kept them flying.He writes of development and technical issues by using incidents and examples to explain them, making such dry issues interesting. Tillman has long associated with and interviewed pilots and ground crew to bring us the human side of the story. We read the details of how and why an event happened rather than simply that it happened. His collection of books about the Dauntless, the Avenger, and the Hellcat form a complete story about the people and of the war as we often follow individuals who flew more than one of these aircraft.When one looks at the bibliography of a book and once again finds Barrett Tillman's books listed, why not go to the source and read his full work. Readable, personal, knowledgeable, with the details, his books are the full story.This book, and all of Barrett Tillman's works are a must for one's library.

I've read several of Barrett Tillman's books and each one has had a wealth of detail about the aircraft and the pilots who flew them. Admittedly, he does not go into great detail on each pilot and squadron that flew it, but he aims to cover the breadth of its operational history. He covers the initial land-based deployment of the Corsair by the Marines in the Solomons, and its early adoption by the Royal Navy as a carrier-borne fighter, something that took the US Navy another year and a half to do. As in a lot of carrier developments, the Royal Navy showed the US Navy how to make the Corsair carrier compatible. Once it was on US carriers, it proved to be a deadly foe to the Japanese. It also proved highly capable as a fighter-bomber for ground support, a role for which it was well used in the Korean War. I've always been a fan of the F6F Hellcat, but I have to admit that the F4U was a faster, maybe more maneuverable aircraft than the F6F. Kudos to the Corsair!

Barrett Tillman knows his subject. He has spared no effort in researching his subject, down to interviewing the men who flew the machine into history. I would not call this a exhaustive treatment of the Cosair, but any more detail and he would probably lose a third of his audience. This is the second book I have read by this author. There is probably no one else, save those who flew the plane in combat, who has such a grasp of the subject. The focus is on the Corsair, but he does not neglect the background of the pilots who flew it. This adds the necessary human element that makes this book more than a technical exercise and study of an airplane. This will certainly appeal to aviation enthusiasts and to very many history buffs who want to know more about this airplane and the conflicts in which it was used.

I liked the personal stories of the pilots who flew those airplanes. Also the living conditions they had to endure and what they did for entertainment was interesting.

Good book which brings the operational history of the Corsair to life.The Author blends Technical information with the story of the squadrons and Pilots who flew this amazing aircraft, all in a very readable and engaging stlye. Well worth the cover price.

Natürlich nur ein Buch für Fans und geschichtlich Interessierte. Bilder zwangsläufig nur in SW. Die Einsatzhistorie wird gut abgebildet und beschrieben. Technik und Detailszeichnungen werden nicht geboten. Damals, Ende der 70er wohl auch noch nicht so gefragt. Lässt sich gut und verständlich lesen und ist interessant und umfangreich. Wer das Flugzeug mag, muss zugreifen!

very impressive publication on a. truly great aircraft.Amazing long service life and operated by surprising number of countries.William HattoWilliam Hattoa

This is a well written and interesting read in the context of the role this aircraft played in the Pacific War. I would have liked more information regarding the pilot's, without this the book lacks human interest.Still, a comprehensive account of a superb aircraft and its vital role in the Second World War mainly.

Tous les épisodes marquants de l'histoire de cet avion mythique, des premiers tests de vols au ciel de Corée...Un livre incontournable pour l'amateur, cependant n'y cherchez pas les directives de la Navy pour connaitre les dates exactes oû le prmer saumon de vought a été remplacé par la couleur intérior green....Par ailleurs de nombreuses photos d'époque vous replongeront dans les différentes campagnes de cet oiseau aux côtés des as et pilotes des Marines et de la Navy ou de la royale.