Page 63 - AirForces Monthly - Issue 381 (December 2019)

Book
Reviews

Lockheed F-104 1973: The First

Starfi ghter A History Nuclear War
Crucial Air Battles of

There are few aircraft with a true chapters to former F-104 pilots, the October 1973
cult following among military who provide a unique insight Arab-Israeli War
aviation enthusiasts, but the into operating this demanding
Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is one aircraft. Among many highlights
of them. Given its huge popularity, are episodes recounting the
is there anything left to publish operations of the 1st Canadian
on the ‘Zipper’, as the jet was Air Group in West Germany
known? Fortunately for author during the Cold War, along with
Martin W Bowman, there is. an extensive section describing
The book begins with the the host of F-104 versions and
familiar development story of proposed project models –
the Starfighter and the trials demonstrating that there’s still
and tribulations Lockheed new information out there. Each
endured to produce a Mach-2 chapter is illustrated with a wealth
interceptor for the USAF. Wisely, of images from official and private
Bowman has decided not to collections – my only gripe is that
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dedicate chapter after chapter r some of these could have been
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to the origins of the interceptor. reproduced larger, particularly
Publisher: Pen & Sword Instead, the book quickly moves the rare images of F-104Cs at
Author: Martin W Bowman on to the F-104’s operational Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base
Pages: 320 service and, rather than simply during the Vietnam War. This is Until this publication, accounts
Price: £30 listing and describing operations certainly a worthy addition to any of air combats in the October
ISBN: 9781473863262 second-hand, he turns over the Starfighter library. Glenn Sands 1973 Arab-Israeli War typically
concentrated on the significant
Modern Chinese losses inflicted on the Israeli
Air Force during the early days
of the campaign by the well-
Warplanes integrated Egyptian and Syrian
air defence network. However,
this detailed text reveals
Chinese Army Aviation that air forces from all sides
were heavily engaged in both
strike missions and dogfights
– Aircraft and Units throughout the conflict.
The format follows other titles
from the publisher, with maps,
tables and newly commissioned
Author and AFM contributor countless colour images of types diagrams illustrating the
Andreas Rupprecht is regarded currently in service. Unfortunately, formations flown by the
by professional aviation some of these are reproduced Israeli F-4s during specific
journalists and enthusiasts alike very small, particularly those attack sorties, and the centre
as the subject matter expert on showing the Z-20 prototypes numbering system explained pages are filled with high-
modern Chinese military aviation in 2018. Each aircraft type is in detail. Although it took quality side profiles of all the
operations and equipment. allocated three to four pages a couple of attempts to aircraft involved. The authors
This latest title only adds to that describe the development thoroughly understand it, this have provided each with an
his reputation as he explains and specific modifications is the first time I have seen the extensive caption outlining the
the complex structure of to China’s examples. sequence outlined in print. weapons loads and the FS or
Chinese Army Aviation units As well as indigenous types, the As a reference book on Chinese BS numbers for the camouflage
and the mixture of helicopters, book outlines joint development Army Aviation, this is superb. paint used – a handy addition
transports and unmanned programmes between Europe, Next, perhaps Harpia might for aircraft modellers.
aerial vehicles it operates. Russia and the US, with consider publishing an all- Despite it stretching to
Intended to support the author’s particular attention paid to the colour photographic volume only 88 pages, authors Tom
previous Modern Chinese Sikorsky S-70C-2 Black Hawk. filled with images of Chinese Cooper and Abdallah Emran
Warplanes titles on the country’s The army’s support, transport military aviation? Glenn Sands have provided one of the most
air force and naval air arm, and liaison aircraft are given extensively detailed books
this new volume begins with a similar treatment, but again Publisher: Harpia Publishing to date on air combat during
comprehensive explanation of the the images supporting the Author: Andreas Rupprecht this conflict. Glenn Sands
structure, development and future detailed text are often small. Pages: 93
plans of Chinese Army Aviation. It’s a real bonus to have Price: £21.99 Publisher: Casemate Publishing
Throughout the chapters are the Chinese Army Aviation ISBN: 9780997309287 Author: Tom Cooper
and Abdallah Emran
These titles are available from: The Aviation Bookshop, 31-33 Vale Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, Pages: 88
TN1 1BS, United Kingdom. Telephone: +44(0)1892 539284 Website: www.aviation-bookshop.com Price: £16.95
ISBN: 9781911628712
www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 61
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