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This volume focuses on the little known official Army Air Force report commissioned by the Eighth Air Force's VIII Fighter Command (FC) in May 1944. The detailed document chronicled the experiences of 24 pilots who had seen extensive service in the frontline escorting B-17s and B-24s on daylight raids deep into Germany. Briefed to provide a candid report on combat flying that could be used as a teaching 'manual' for potential fighter pilots, the VIII FC veterans openly discuss their secrets to success, and survival in the deadly skies over occupied Europe. Exactly half of those pilots who contributed to The Long Reach subsequently achieved ace status.
List of contents
Author's introductionPeriod preface by Major General W E KepnerCHAPTER ONE
P-47 THUNDERBOLT PILOTS
CHAPTER TWO
P-38 LIGHTNING PILOTS 77
CHAPTER THREE
P-51 MUSTANG PILOTS 110
AppendicesColour plates commentaryIndex
About the author
Michael O’Leary possesses one of the most extensive private archival libraries of wartime images relating to American combat aircraft, and has written/photographed over a dozen books for Osprey.Iain Wyllie was one of Britain's leading - and most prolific - aviation cover artists. A native of Northern Ireland, he trained as a naval draughtsman and became a full-time aviation artist in the late 1980s. He has been responsible for creating numerous cover artworks for Osprey Publishing's hugely successful Aircraft of the Aces and Combat Aircraft series since 1994. His artwork is synonymous with originality of subject, intricate detail and technical accuracy.Tom Tullis has illustrated a number of books in both the Aces and Combat Aircraft series. His books for Osprey Publishing include Aircraft of the Aces 26 and Combat Aircraft 16 and 20.
Summary
Focuses on an official Army Air Force report commissioned by the Eighth Air Force's VIII Fighter Command in May 1944. It chronicled the experiences of 24 pilots in service escorting B-17s and B-24s on daylight raids deep into Germany. Scale drawings and archival photographs are included.
