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American MiG Pilot: Inside the Top Secret USAF “Red Eagles” MiG Squadron
After being outflown over Vietnam, the US launched a top secret operation to acquire Soviet aircraft, train pilots to fly them, and pitch them against American planes in training scenarios.
Get inside the head of one of America's most experienced MiG pilots, Lt Col Zettel, as he tells the thrilling tale of Constant Peg, a top secret US operation that wouldn't feel out of place in the plot of Top Gun.
At the height of the Cold War, America illicitly obtained Russian Fighters, transported them to the Tonopah Test Range, and pitted them against star US fighter pilots in simulated combat exercises. With controls labelled in Russian and the only spare parts being the ones they could salvage, the pilots who climbed into the MiGs accepted all of the risks associated with operating these aircraft. Vivid accounts of training engagements put the reader right there in the cockpit, flying alongside the "Red Eagles" as they trained the best pilots America had to offer. Historical photographs help paint the picture of an operation that took the US Air Force from its dismal performance in the Vietnam War to an unprecedented air-to-air kill ratio in Operation Desert Storm.
Get inside the head of one of America's most experienced MiG pilots, Lt Col Zettel, as he tells the thrilling tale of Constant Peg, a top secret US operation that wouldn't feel out of place in the plot of Top Gun.
At the height of the Cold War, America illicitly obtained Russian Fighters, transported them to the Tonopah Test Range, and pitted them against star US fighter pilots in simulated combat exercises. With controls labelled in Russian and the only spare parts being the ones they could salvage, the pilots who climbed into the MiGs accepted all of the risks associated with operating these aircraft. Vivid accounts of training engagements put the reader right there in the cockpit, flying alongside the "Red Eagles" as they trained the best pilots America had to offer. Historical photographs help paint the picture of an operation that took the US Air Force from its dismal performance in the Vietnam War to an unprecedented air-to-air kill ratio in Operation Desert Storm.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published November 4, 2025
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February 13, 2026
American MiG Pilot is a masterpiece of military history. It’s a tribute to the "Red Eagles" who operated in total anonymity to ensure the survival of their fellow aviators. Zettel’s voice is authoritative, humble, and thrilling, making this an essential read for anyone who appreciates aviation, Cold War history, or the sheer brilliance of American ingenuity under pressure.
An absolute "must-read" that flies at Mach 2 from start to finish.
An absolute "must-read" that flies at Mach 2 from start to finish.
Displaying 1 of 1 review