Any opinions about this book about F-8s in Vietnam?

Actually, the F-4 had a higher kill ratio. It was a Navy F-4 that shot down
the first MIG and no F-8 guy ever achieved "ACE" status. Having posted that
fact I must admit that most of us who flew the F-4 are not particularly fond
of Randy "Airhead" Cunningham.

And always remember, never forget, it was T.R. Swartz that shot down a MIG
with an unguided 5" Zuni rocket while flying an A-4. Oh by the way, T.R.
was a Demon Driver (although he is loathe to admit it!). If you don't know
T.R. then you have never met a figher pilot.

John

Yes

In a word, yes. Mersky normally does good work. Didn't spot anything to bitch
about in this attempt. Now, if you've got tons of other books on the F-8, then
it might not be what you need.

MW
-------------------------------------
"As soon as movement begins, so does the fog of war" - Edward N. Luttwak

I'm not particularly fond of him as a congressman. Why are you not fond of
him as an F-4 pilot?

Was the higher kill ratio due to the GIB, or in spite of him?

And then, there was the "Jets Are for Kids" real gunfight:

http://skyraider.org/skyassn/sartapes/migkill/migkill.htm

Rick

--
My real e-mail address is: yofuri@oakharbor.net

Er, no. F-8, 6:1 (18:3). Navy F-4, 5.42:1 (38:7), mainly due to the 1972-73
sprint by Top Gun trained crews. Of course, these are our numbers, and probably
include some overclaims as well as leave out some losses to MiGs that were
attributed to other threats or unknown causes.

Guy

Hmm... Your numbers are suspect. I'm off now to get mine. In the meantime
please verify.

Further research shows that the total (USAF + USN) MIG kill ration was 4:1.
Probably due to the fact that the F-8s were phased out midway through the
conflict.

Taken from Nicholls' and Tillman's "On Yankee Station," the nearest concise
source to hand. Nicholls probably got the numbers from the U.S.N.'s "Southeast
Asia Statisical Summary." I could also dig them out of "Clashes" or "and Kill
MiGs", but the results would be identical or nearly so.

Guy

Not phased out, just reduced opportunities. The F-8s continued to fly from
SCB-27Cs until the end. BTW, USAF F-4 kill ratio for the war as a whole was
3.07:1 (107.5:35).

Guy

Don't forget, Cunningham didn't become an ace solo ..., "Willy" Driscoll was
the RIO ... <g>

MW
-------------------------------------
"As soon as movement begins, so does the fog of war" - Edward N. Luttwak

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2 4th November 00:57 micoma External User Posts: 1	Any opinions about this book about F-8s in Vietnam? Yes In a word, yes. Mersky normally does good work. Didn't spot anything to bitch about in this attempt. Now, if you've got tons of other books on the F-8, then it might not be what you need. MW ------------------------------------- "As soon as movement begins, so does the fog of war" - Edward N. Luttwak

3 4th November 00:57 leadfoot External User Posts: 1	Any opinions about this book about F-8s in Vietnam? I'm not particularly fond of him as a congressman. Why are you not fond of him as an F-4 pilot?

4 4th November 00:57 yofuri External User Posts: 1	Any opinions about this book about F-8s in Vietnam? Was the higher kill ratio due to the GIB, or in spite of him? And then, there was the "Jets Are for Kids" real gunfight: http://skyraider.org/skyassn/sartapes/migkill/migkill.htm Rick -- My real e-mail address is: yofuri@oakharbor.net

5 4th November 00:57 guy alcala External User Posts: 1	Any opinions about this book about F-8s in Vietnam? Er, no. F-8, 6:1 (18:3). Navy F-4, 5.42:1 (38:7), mainly due to the 1972-73 sprint by Top Gun trained crews. Of course, these are our numbers, and probably include some overclaims as well as leave out some losses to MiGs that were attributed to other threats or unknown causes. Guy

6 4th November 00:58 john randolph External User Posts: 1	Any opinions about this book about F-8s in Vietnam? Hmm... Your numbers are suspect. I'm off now to get mine. In the meantime please verify.

7 4th November 00:58 john randolph External User Posts: 1	Any opinions about this book about F-8s in Vietnam? Further research shows that the total (USAF + USN) MIG kill ration was 4:1. Probably due to the fact that the F-8s were phased out midway through the conflict.

8 4th November 00:58 guy alcala External User Posts: 1	Any opinions about this book about F-8s in Vietnam? Taken from Nicholls' and Tillman's "On Yankee Station," the nearest concise source to hand. Nicholls probably got the numbers from the U.S.N.'s "Southeast Asia Statisical Summary." I could also dig them out of "Clashes" or "and Kill MiGs", but the results would be identical or nearly so. Guy

9 4th November 00:58 guy alcala External User Posts: 1	Any opinions about this book about F-8s in Vietnam? Not phased out, just reduced opportunities. The F-8s continued to fly from SCB-27Cs until the end. BTW, USAF F-4 kill ratio for the war as a whole was 3.07:1 (107.5:35). Guy

10 4th November 00:58 micoma External User Posts: 1	Any opinions about this book about F-8s in Vietnam? Don't forget, Cunningham didn't become an ace solo ..., "Willy" Driscoll was the RIO ... <g> MW ------------------------------------- "As soon as movement begins, so does the fog of war" - Edward N. Luttwak