F4U Corsair Units of the Korean War (Osprey Combat Aircraft 78)

It's an Osprey book. You know exactly what you are getting with this type of book. Great photos, great side views of schemes and a great historical story. If you are interested in korean war corsairs, this is the book.

When the North Korea People's Army invaded South Korea on 25 June 1950, the only American military assets were the air squadrons stationed in Japan, Okinawa and the Philipines. The Essex-class carrier USS Valley Forge (CV-45), in a Western Pacific cruise since May, was rushed to the conflicted area, arriving and launching her first strikes on 3rd July. Her air group (CVG-5) was composed, among others squadrons, by the F4U-4B equipped VF53 and VF54. For the next 3 years, F4U-4/5/5N's operated in 11 Essex carriers and the USMC squadrons flying from six others CVE (light carriers). Starting with the defense of the Pusan Perimeter, then in the Inchon landings through the intervention of the Chinese Red Army forces, the Corsair supported the Allied forces in the see-saw actions in the Korean Peninsula. Those missions included not only ground support but also reconnaissance and night attack and night fighter. In this latter role it was in an F4U-5N that Lt. Guy P. "Lucky Pierre" Bordelon became the sole propeller-driven fighter ace, the night-fighter and only Navy ace. Included are never-published before color photos of the F4U actions in Korea, a roster of F4U losses by date and serial number, and a list of units which operated the airplane - Navy and USMC. A very enjoyable reading indeed.

A terrific abbreviated account of the many US Navy/Marine squadrons and pilots that flew 1,000s of sorties against the enemy flying the F4U Corsair in the Korean War in the 1950's. After you read this book you will be hooked on the exploits of the pilots and the airplane they flew during the war that changed our posture indelibly in the Far East.

Important part of history.

Very little on aircraft from the USS Kearsarge. The Bitterbirds did their second tour on the Kearsarge and not the Boxer. Other than that it seems pretty accurate.

Just asked my history buff son what he thought of the book, he said, "5 stars" "it was good". Nuff said.

Much info - wish there was more. Pics great. One is of my bro-in-law, a pilot.

Great book on Korean war F4U activities.

....covering a still poorly understood (and reported) conflict.Although I found the personal reminisences recorded here a wee bit too brief and for the most part written without much enthusiasm. The chronological narrative between the personal stories is authoritative and concise. The photo reproduction is on the whole excellent and the profiles to their usual very high standard.The subject matter had enormous potential but in my opinion, fell sadly short, let down as it is by its' lackluster choice of stories.Ian JacksonNew Zealand

The title itself tells you what to expect; quite a lot. Warren Thompson handles the subject very well despite of less than 100 pages. There are great Corsair combat stories excellent photos and color profiles. The book tells F4U-4/5/5N units' hard battle stories in Korean War pretty much in the nutshellOverall, it is an excellent book and a very enjoyable reading. Highly recommended!

Another great informative book from Osprey, Pictures are outstanding and loads of information for anyone interested in the air war in Korea

ok

Great book