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Bully Able Leader
Action-packed memoir by an American pilot and squadron commander in the Korean War What it was like to fly the F-80 Shooting Star against MiGs and ground targets Author flew 112 combat missions in five major campaigns in 1950-51 "Bully Able Leader" was the author's radio call sign
256 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 4, 2020
Valuable reminiscence of a fighter-bomber squadron commander from the Korean War. It was the author's second reminiscence, first one presented his exploits in the Second World War. It exceeds many reminiscences on its accuracy and historical value, since the author conducted some historical research among primary records to refresh his memory and strengthen the accuracy and value of his memory. Albeit for many readers, the air war over Korea is a duel between F-86 Sabres and MiG-15s over the MiG Alley, in fact that war was rather the fighter-bombers war because of their intensive activity and importance, which far exceeds the fighter vs fighter duels. This book tells the figher-bombers story from a very experienced Squadron commander's point of view. Highly recommended!
June 5, 2020
Great Book
Interesting follow up to the author's WW2 memoir. Gives a perspective not frequently heard from: a pilot doing ground attack and interdiction rather than tangling with MIGs over Mig Alley. Definitely recommend.
Interesting follow up to the author's WW2 memoir. Gives a perspective not frequently heard from: a pilot doing ground attack and interdiction rather than tangling with MIGs over Mig Alley. Definitely recommend.
October 12, 2014
Loving was a P-51 ace in WWII. Sent back to the US to train other pilots. He wrote another book about that experience and just brushes over it here. Here, he talks about post WWII Air Force and getting a permanent commission. Interestingly, he does not discuss the change from Army Air Corps into the separate department of the Air Force. He spent some time in Japan as the P-51 changed to F-51 and then volunteering to go in for the Korean war conflict.
Interesting switch from pursuit/fighters into the F-80 jet fighter bomber with a focus on the close Air Support (CAS) mission. US Air Force killed tens of thousands of communist forces in the Koran conflict as well as knocking out tanks, trains, and lots of trucks. He does discuss using Napalm and how effective it was against tanks and enemy trenches. Besides flying over 100 combat mission he commanded a F-80 squadron. Not only does he discuss his experience in the Korean conflict but after the conflict as he continued to make rank and was able to get his bachelors degree and eventually command 5th AF.
Recommend for those interested in CAS, Korean war conflict, or the F-80 in action.
Interesting switch from pursuit/fighters into the F-80 jet fighter bomber with a focus on the close Air Support (CAS) mission. US Air Force killed tens of thousands of communist forces in the Koran conflict as well as knocking out tanks, trains, and lots of trucks. He does discuss using Napalm and how effective it was against tanks and enemy trenches. Besides flying over 100 combat mission he commanded a F-80 squadron. Not only does he discuss his experience in the Korean conflict but after the conflict as he continued to make rank and was able to get his bachelors degree and eventually command 5th AF.
Recommend for those interested in CAS, Korean war conflict, or the F-80 in action.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews