Modern Israeli Air Power: Aircraft and Units of the Israeli Air Force

A Very Disappointing Book on a Most Fascinating SubjectI eagerly anticipated receiving this book, as I am very interested in the IAF, and have been impressed with the previous Harpia Publishing aviation books I've purchased. Nonetheless, I am very disappointed in this new volume. Even fully allowing for the justified and extraordinary security that surrounds the IAF, this book adds very little, if anything, to the known, unclassified story on the IAF.First, as another reviewer has noted, the customary artwork of IAF equipment is completely absent, except for three paintings on the back cover (even though photographs available on the internet and in other publications provide sufficient information to prepare such materials).Second, the book appears to make little use of the kind of detailed and reliable information on the IAF that has appeared in Aviation Week & Space Technology and other highly reliable publications. As one example, AW&ST has reported for years on Israel's critical need for/lack of a significant aerial tanker force, including numbers of a/c available, etc.Third, while there is considerable information in the public domain on Israel's activities in Syria in recent years, virtually none of that important information appears in this volume, save a brief and incomplete reference to one attack several years ago.There is definitely a serious and much more complete book to be done on the IAF and its extraordinary successes. This volume isn't it.

If the book had color plates like the cover it would have been awesome and 5 stars

Excellent book, with loads of info on the modern Israeli Air Force, its aircraft, and bases. Well worth the look.The downside is that it is printed on slick paper, making the book heavy, and inconvenient to hold over extended periods.

Lots of great photos and information about the IAF in this book. It's expensive, but there's information in this book not available through other sources outside of AirTime publishing. It's a good book if you have the scrip.

Excellent photographs along with extensive research resulting in a fine book on IAF. Well done.

The pictures and information of all the air bases and squadron insignias were great -I would have liked to see more on the technical specifications on the various missiles and hardware, all of which are available on other media

Super complete review of all things IAF

Modern Israeli Air Power from Harpia - 256 Pp , 250 + photo , 3 colour artwork in back cover by Thomas Newdick and pics from Ofer ZidonAs the title states it covers a very exciting and exotic subject - the aircraft and units of the ISAF -but it possibly comes under the imposing lens of Israeli censorship which probably means details like Israel's raid on the Syrian reactor and other clandestine strikes- which were covered in Tim Ripley's book on Middle East airforces- are expunged .There is reference to strikes in Sudan in 2009-12 as well as the Gaza strikes but nothing sensational or already covered in the press which we don't know .The first four chapters provide an introduction to the IASF and a type-by-type concise description of the current Israeli warplanes - fighters, transports, helicopters, UAVs and trainers. A very brief section on IASF ordinance is included with pictures -though artwork and mission configurations would have been more useful.The next chapters cover the nine major Israeli air bases. Each includes a potted history and a list of the squadrons. Also a chapter on the IASF's new Air Defense Command includes the Iron Dome and there is a nice appendix which is misleadingly titled Orbat and contains artwork on sqn badges.Thomas Newdick needs to be complimented on the extensive research on the bases and the inclusion of the UAV sqn which is a new and the photos from Zidon are excellent .The IDF/AF (renamed now into ISAF) books from the 80's and 90's which i have all had the tail markings censored - at least in the noughties Israeli censors have permitted the tail markings to be published to the delight of modellers.Tthe major USP of Harpia where it scores over other works - has been the unique profile artworks by Tom Cooper - no amount of photographs can really replace these - so its disappointing to see that there are none except for the 3 on the back cover .Will give it 3.5 stars.I also expected much more details on the Israeli Armament esp the Python series - but the info given ex Python 5 is very sketchy with hardly any or nil specs data - an appendix at the end tabulating the same would have been useful- also what was really glaring - given its an Air power volume - the Orbat and deployment across bases a was a basic expectation - the actual ORBAT and numbers are missing - as also tables of the hierarchy of command of the ISAF - also a basic chart of kills for each airbase listed would have been useful. Most of this info is available on the net on web sites like Scramble etc and many other sources - so its baffling to see the ORBAT missing - the artwork of Sqn badges are nice as are the Hebrew table at the end and a list of further reading references is included .

Great book