Book Review of
75 Years of the Israeli Air Force
Vol. 3: Training, Combat Support, Special Operations,
Naval Operations and Air Defence, 1948-2023
Author: Bill Norton
Helion & Co. Ltd.
Middle East@War Series no. 36
Full Color Throughout (this statement NOT true)
ISBN: 978-1-914437-71-1
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2021
MSRP: $29.95
Middle East@War Series no. 36
Full Color Throughout (this statement NOT true)
ISBN: 978-1-914437-71-1
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2021
MSRP: $29.95
HISTORY:
The Israeli Air Force grew from humble beginnings to one of the largest and most experimental air combat teams in the world. This came through several major and minor wars with its Arab neighbors, almost continuous military actions short of war, and preparations for power-projection operations unusual for so small a nation.
The 75-year history of the Israeli Air Force is, then, a fascinating study of a relatively small military organization working to meet shifting obligations under multiple impediments while being repeatedly tested in combat,. Many factors over the decades shaped the air fighting capacity, not the least being the demands of the evolving battlefield, uncertain funing, available weapons, and quality of personnel.
Tactics and doctrine were , in turn, shaped by government policies, international pressures, and confronting adversaries likewise evolving. When the trials in war or combat short of war came, success was a measure in relevance of the service’s weapons, adequacy of training and experience of personnel,
As a companion to Volumes 1 and 2, giving the chronological history of the Israeli Air Force, this third volume details special topics underscoring the service’s capability growth. These richly illustrated topics are flight training, photo-reconnaissance, aerial refueling, electronic warfare, support of Special forces, support of the Navy and the Air Defense Forces.
A summary of aircraft that served with the Israeli Air Force is provided, with a photograph of each type and major models of aircraft. A summary of al IAF air-to-air “kills” is also included.Written at a time of historical changes for the air force, and the Israeli Defense Forces as a whole, this volume informs understanding of the service emerging and operating in future years.
Backed by official and unofficial histories published in the last 20 years, and the unprecedented openness in the past ten decades, the author has worked to make this account more accurate and complete than those of the past. It also stands apart from many other books in performing the examination in a more dispassionate and critical manner, without the common hyperbole.
THE BOOK:
Hellion & Co. Ltd. is based in the U.K.
This book is soft-cover of 102 pages (1 page blank) in 8 ¼” x 11 ¾” page format
The cover art shows a color photo of the American Apache AH-64D Helicopter over a color profile of a F-35I Jet fighter.
The back cover shows a color side profile of a Mirage 5J.
Although the cover says the book is COLOR THROUGHOUT, this book holds 91 black and white photos and 73 color ones.
The book begins with ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS and a PREFACE and line drawing map of the Middle East.
There are 68 photos of light aircraft, transports, jet fighters, tankers, pilots and officers, and rocket launchers.
At the end of the book there is a 3 page APPENDIX, a 2 page BIBLIOGRAPHY and a large AIRCRAFT KILL SUMMARY of 14 pages.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
William J. Norton is retired from a fighter-test engineering career that spanned 40 years, including 20 years as a U.S. Air Force officer. This included serving as aircrew aboard test aircraft. He has held numerous positions in many organizations on dozens of aerospace programs spanning all aircraft types.
He has penned a score of technical papers, seventeen books and a multitude of magazine articles. Bill holds a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering and has taught technical courses at the college-level. In addition, he is a civil pilot with numerous ratings, has restored and operates a DHC-1 Chipmunk and built a Rutan Long EZ. Bill is married to the lovely Anya Victoria. This is his third volume for Helion’s Middle East @ War series.
This is a neat book about the Israeli Air Force’s aircraft over the years. It will be of great interest to modelers planning to build one of the aircraft shown featured and to historians alike.
I sincerely wish to thank Casemate Publishers for this review sample. All Helion & Co. Ltd. books can be viewed on Casemate’s website at:
The Israeli Air Force grew from humble beginnings to one of the largest and most experimental air combat teams in the world. This came through several major and minor wars with its Arab neighbors, almost continuous military actions short of war, and preparations for power-projection operations unusual for so small a nation.
The 75-year history of the Israeli Air Force is, then, a fascinating study of a relatively small military organization working to meet shifting obligations under multiple impediments while being repeatedly tested in combat,. Many factors over the decades shaped the air fighting capacity, not the least being the demands of the evolving battlefield, uncertain funing, available weapons, and quality of personnel.
Tactics and doctrine were , in turn, shaped by government policies, international pressures, and confronting adversaries likewise evolving. When the trials in war or combat short of war came, success was a measure in relevance of the service’s weapons, adequacy of training and experience of personnel,
As a companion to Volumes 1 and 2, giving the chronological history of the Israeli Air Force, this third volume details special topics underscoring the service’s capability growth. These richly illustrated topics are flight training, photo-reconnaissance, aerial refueling, electronic warfare, support of Special forces, support of the Navy and the Air Defense Forces.
A summary of aircraft that served with the Israeli Air Force is provided, with a photograph of each type and major models of aircraft. A summary of al IAF air-to-air “kills” is also included.Written at a time of historical changes for the air force, and the Israeli Defense Forces as a whole, this volume informs understanding of the service emerging and operating in future years.
Backed by official and unofficial histories published in the last 20 years, and the unprecedented openness in the past ten decades, the author has worked to make this account more accurate and complete than those of the past. It also stands apart from many other books in performing the examination in a more dispassionate and critical manner, without the common hyperbole.
THE BOOK:
Hellion & Co. Ltd. is based in the U.K.
This book is soft-cover of 102 pages (1 page blank) in 8 ¼” x 11 ¾” page format
The cover art shows a color photo of the American Apache AH-64D Helicopter over a color profile of a F-35I Jet fighter.
The back cover shows a color side profile of a Mirage 5J.
Although the cover says the book is COLOR THROUGHOUT, this book holds 91 black and white photos and 73 color ones.
The book begins with ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS and a PREFACE and line drawing map of the Middle East.
There are 68 photos of light aircraft, transports, jet fighters, tankers, pilots and officers, and rocket launchers.
At the end of the book there is a 3 page APPENDIX, a 2 page BIBLIOGRAPHY and a large AIRCRAFT KILL SUMMARY of 14 pages.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
William J. Norton is retired from a fighter-test engineering career that spanned 40 years, including 20 years as a U.S. Air Force officer. This included serving as aircrew aboard test aircraft. He has held numerous positions in many organizations on dozens of aerospace programs spanning all aircraft types.
He has penned a score of technical papers, seventeen books and a multitude of magazine articles. Bill holds a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering and has taught technical courses at the college-level. In addition, he is a civil pilot with numerous ratings, has restored and operates a DHC-1 Chipmunk and built a Rutan Long EZ. Bill is married to the lovely Anya Victoria. This is his third volume for Helion’s Middle East @ War series.
This is a neat book about the Israeli Air Force’s aircraft over the years. It will be of great interest to modelers planning to build one of the aircraft shown featured and to historians alike.
I sincerely wish to thank Casemate Publishers for this review sample. All Helion & Co. Ltd. books can be viewed on Casemate’s website at:
Highly recommended.