Mustang Aces of the 357th Fighter Group

(Paperback)

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Description

The 357th Fighter Group produced 42 aces, more than any other group within the USAAF. It was also the first group in the Eighth Air Force to be equipped with the P-51. Thanks to this fighter and the talented pilots assigned to the group (men such as Bud Anderson, Kit Carson, John England and Chuck Yeager) the 357th achieved a faster rate of aerial victories than any other Eighth Air Force group during the final year of the war. It also claimed the highest number of aerial kills 56 in a single mission. The group was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations (the unit equivalent of the Medal of Honor). Written by Chris Bucholtz, this book is crammed full of first-hand accounts, superb photography and some of the most colorful profiles to be found in World War II aviation.

Reviews

"Through fine research and writing, Mr. Bucholtz reveals the triumphs, tragedies, heroism, accomplishments of that outstanding team of aerial gladiators." --Frederick Boucher, Armorama

"Histories of the aircraft, the pilots who flew them, and the missions they embarked upon make for a fine blend of aircraft and military history, with first-hand accounts and extensive archival photos enhancing the coverage." --The Midwest Book Review

"[The book] is superbly illustrated with the profile work of Chris Davey as well as a number of excellent photos of pilots and planes gleaned from a number of sources ... In all, it makes for a fascinating read and a book that will be read over and over again." --Scott Van Aken, Modeling Madness

"...a very good book for the modeler, an enjoyable read, inspirational photos and profiles. A book that deceased unit historian, Merle Olmsted would be proud to put his name on." --Floyd S. Werner Jr., IPMS/USA

Author Bio

Chris Bucholtz, in addition to a 12-year career as a technology journalist, has written extensively on aircraft history and on scale modelling. He is the aircraft editor of Internet Modeler, where he introduced his The Pilot and The Plane series of long-form interviews with World War 2 aviators in 2002, and is the managing editor of the IPMS/USA Journal. His work has appeared in Flight Journal, Air Enthusiast and Plastic Kit Constructor. He also wrote AEU 24 332nd Fighter Group - Tuskegee Airmen and AEU 30 4th Fighter Group - Debden Eagles for Osprey. Based in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, Chris Davey has illustrated more than 20 titles for Ospreys Aircraft of the Aces, Combat Aircraft and Aviation Elite Units series since 1994. He is one of the last traditional airbrush artists in the business and has become Ospreys artist of choice for both USAAF fighters and RAF subject matter, proving his undoubted skill when dealing with large aircraft subjects such as the Halifax.