Topgun, US Airforce, Navy & Marine Corps Aggressors

Published on
November 5, 2014
Review Author(s)
Book Author(s)
Andy Evans
ISBN
978-1-906959-36-4
MSRP
$16.06
Product / Stock #
AGRESSOR
Provided by: SAM Publications
Front cover

Do you have an interest in aircraft that are used in dissimilar air combat training? Not familiar with that term? I bet you are familiar with aggressor aircraft though and the squadrons. This book takes an in depth look at the aircraft flown by USAF, USN and USMC. The book is chocked full of color photographs and color plate drawings.

The book obviously starts with the beginnings of the aggressor squadrons. This occurred during the Vietnam War when the losses to US aircraft became unacceptable and the USAF and USN looked into how they could better prepare their aircrews for combat. Thus the creation of "Top Gun" for the USN and "Red Flag" for the USAF. For these two programs, the best of the best pilots were selected and they learned to fly the tactile doctrines of the Soviet Union.

The book then moves into the aircraft with each one being given a chapter. The aircraft represented are the A-4, F/A-18, F-21, F-16, F-5E and the F-15. One chapter covers some of the lesser know aggressors that have been used, including the T-2, EA-7L, F-14 and T-38. Each of the chapters uses beautiful color photographs and a description of how that particular aircraft was used and the squadrons that used them.

The last two chapters are specifically aimed at modelers. There is a nice build article on the 1/48 Hasegawa TA-4J Skyhawk. The last chapter shows what is available to modelers to build their favorite aggressor aircraft.

I highly recommend this book for modelers having an interest in aggressor aircraft and their markings. This book will be a perfect addition to your library of reference materials.

I would like to thank Sam Publications and IPMS/USA for allowing me the opportunity to review this wonderful book.

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