Eagles of Destiny, Volume 2: Growth and Wars of the Pakistan Air Force 1958-1971

Published on
July 9, 2023
Review Author(s)
Book Author(s)
Yawar Mazhar & Usman Shabbir
ISBN
9781804510179
Other Publication Information
Softbound, 102 pages, 126 b+w photos, 27 colour profiles, 5 maps, 30 tables
MSRP
$29.95
Company: Helion & Company - Website: Visit Site
Provided by: Casemate Publishers - Website: Visit Site
Front Cover

Part of the Asia@War series, Eagles of Destiny Volume 2 is a detailed account of the transformation of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) with the help of the first US MDAP, and how its leadership utilized this opportunity to create a modern air force. It provides detailed coverage of the PAF's participation in the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War, based on official documentation and material from private collections that were previously not available to the public. The story of the Pakistan Air Force during this period is concluded by the coverage of the first build-up with the Chinese support, against the backdrop of US sanctions, highlighting and discussing the challenges and response.

Finally, the book provides detailed coverage of PAF operations during the 1971 War with India, including several first-hand accounts by key officers. Between 1956 and 1971, the PAF inducted a number of new weapon systems, including US-made F-86 Sabres, French-made Mirages, and Chinese-made F-6s. These developments and PAF's strategy are all discussed in great detail.

The book is well written and illustrated, though some of the photos are a little sub-standard, excusable given their rarity. The colour profiles are well executed and will be useful to the modeler. Given the detail present in the text, this is also a very useful book for the aviation enthusiast. Thoroughly recommended. My thanks to Casemate Publishing for supplying the review sample.

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