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MiG Master: The Story Of The F 8 Crusader
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
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1980
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About the author
Barrett Tillman
120 books65 followersBorn a fourth-generation Oregonian, descended from American pioneers, Revolutionary War Patriots, Pilgrims (e.g. Priscilla Alden) and Pocahontas, Tillman was raised on the family wheat and cattle ranch. His younger brothers include a breeder of exotic animals and a Rhodes Scholar. In high school he was an Eagle Scout[citation needed], won two state titles as a rudimental drummer, and was a champion speaker and debater. Tillman was first published in 1964 at age 15 and graduated from the University of Oregon in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
Like his father, a Navy trained pilot in World War II, Tillman developed an early passion for aviation and learned to fly at age 16. Over the next several years he flew a variety of vintage and historic aircraft, including a pre-WW II Navy trainer and a restored dive-bomber. The latter became the subject of his first book, The Dauntless Dive Bomber of World War II, published in 1976. It established the format for many subsequent books, operational histories of U.S. Navy aircraft.
After college Tillman worked as a freelance writer until 1982 when he founded Champlin Fighter Museum Press in Mesa, Arizona, publishing out-of-print and new titles on military aviation.
In 1986 he moved to San Diego to become managing editor of The Hook, quarterly journal of the Tailhook Association. He remained in that position for three years before deciding to focus full time to writing fiction. His first novel was published in June 1990. Warriors[1] depicted a Mideast air war and became an immediate best seller when Iraq invaded Kuwait two months later.
Tillman's next two novels appeared in 1992: The Sixth Battle, (written with his brother John) which captured a wide following among computer war gamers; and Dauntless, intended as the first in a trilogy. It was followed by Hellcats, nominated as military novel of the year in 1996. He has also published original fiction in the Stephen Coonts anthologies, Combat and Victory.
Tillman remains active as a magazine writer. He is a regular contributor to The Hook, Flight Journal, and several firearms publications. He has also reported from Africa for Soldier of Fortune magazine.
Tillman is a former executive secretary of the American Fighter Aces Association.[2]
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett_...
Like his father, a Navy trained pilot in World War II, Tillman developed an early passion for aviation and learned to fly at age 16. Over the next several years he flew a variety of vintage and historic aircraft, including a pre-WW II Navy trainer and a restored dive-bomber. The latter became the subject of his first book, The Dauntless Dive Bomber of World War II, published in 1976. It established the format for many subsequent books, operational histories of U.S. Navy aircraft.
After college Tillman worked as a freelance writer until 1982 when he founded Champlin Fighter Museum Press in Mesa, Arizona, publishing out-of-print and new titles on military aviation.
In 1986 he moved to San Diego to become managing editor of The Hook, quarterly journal of the Tailhook Association. He remained in that position for three years before deciding to focus full time to writing fiction. His first novel was published in June 1990. Warriors[1] depicted a Mideast air war and became an immediate best seller when Iraq invaded Kuwait two months later.
Tillman's next two novels appeared in 1992: The Sixth Battle, (written with his brother John) which captured a wide following among computer war gamers; and Dauntless, intended as the first in a trilogy. It was followed by Hellcats, nominated as military novel of the year in 1996. He has also published original fiction in the Stephen Coonts anthologies, Combat and Victory.
Tillman remains active as a magazine writer. He is a regular contributor to The Hook, Flight Journal, and several firearms publications. He has also reported from Africa for Soldier of Fortune magazine.
Tillman is a former executive secretary of the American Fighter Aces Association.[2]
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett_...
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 7, 2014
MiG Master discusses the development, refinement, adoption, and employment of the F-8 Crusader in Vietnam and beyond.
The book is a great discussion of the aircraft, the reasons for its development, the technology behind it, and some of its early growing pains. The discussion can get a bit technical at times, which for a layman like myself became a bit dense at times, but is not insurmountable.
The book puts things forward in a generally straightforward, clear, and interesting manner, though the dicussion of dogfights can be a little hard to follow sometimes without the help of diagrams or similar graphics. It does not take anything away from the overall merit of the story.
There are times when the discussion of a particular aspect or event runs a bit long, but in sum, the book is a great detailing of the life of an aircraft, accessible to new readers, but detailed enough for more seasoned ones. Recommended for fans of the aircraft or simply someone interested in aviation or combat aircraft.
The book is a great discussion of the aircraft, the reasons for its development, the technology behind it, and some of its early growing pains. The discussion can get a bit technical at times, which for a layman like myself became a bit dense at times, but is not insurmountable.
The book puts things forward in a generally straightforward, clear, and interesting manner, though the dicussion of dogfights can be a little hard to follow sometimes without the help of diagrams or similar graphics. It does not take anything away from the overall merit of the story.
There are times when the discussion of a particular aspect or event runs a bit long, but in sum, the book is a great detailing of the life of an aircraft, accessible to new readers, but detailed enough for more seasoned ones. Recommended for fans of the aircraft or simply someone interested in aviation or combat aircraft.
May 14, 2019
Superb account of an undersung US military aircraft that proved its mettle and that of its pilots in the Vietnam war. Plenty of photos, some background on technical developments but mostly it brings you "from the seat" combat flying stories and how well the F8 fared against its principal foes, the MiGs, the flak and the SAMs not to mention the weather and idiots in the mission planning office in the US. Anyone interested in jet fighters MUST have this book on their shelves. Read it and think again about the pain and courage these men and their ground crews went through to complete their missions often well against the odds. I salute them and the author.
November 5, 2017
Well written and researched book on one of the planes that I worked on when I was in the navy. VFP-63 was my squadron and I actually did work on the plane that John Glenn flew as described in this book.
July 5, 2017
Excellent!
Another excellent book. I used to see the mighty F8 come in and out of NAS Kingsville from time to time (1968-1973).
Fascinating stuff!
Another excellent book. I used to see the mighty F8 come in and out of NAS Kingsville from time to time (1968-1973).
Fascinating stuff!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews