F-8 Crusader vs. MiG-17 Book Review
By Rachel E. Veres
| Date of Review | February 2015 | Title | F-8 Crusader vs. MiG-17 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Peter Mersky | Publisher | Osprey Publishing |
| Published | 2014 | ISBN | 9781782008101 |
| Format | 80 pages, softbound | MSRP (USD) | $18.95 |
Review
Subtitled "Vietnam 1965 – 72", author Peter Mersky pits US Navy F-8s against Vietnam People's Air Force (VPAF) MiG-17s in Osprey's F-8 Crusader vs. MiG-17.
As with other "Duel" installments, a short introduction and chronology kick-off contents. Mersky then recaps each aircraft's development history and technical specifications. A helpful comparison chart of design and performance capabilities completes the first half.
The real meat lies within its second half. Interweaving personal anecdotes with combat history, the author drops readers right amidst aerial frays.
Fifty-three historical photographs – US and North Vietnamese – pepper the account. And artwork by Jim Laurier complements coverage. However, those looking for model project inspiration might be disappointed; this volume contains no profiles.
Mersky concludes with a statistics and analysis section. Aftermath notes, further reading and index neatly wrap things up.
I would have liked a summary – sidebar or chart – of F-8 and MiG-17 pilots' confirmed kills. Readers must wade through the text for names, ranks, dates, squadrons and other combat details.
Decidedly recommended!
My sincere thanks to Osprey Publishing for this review sample!