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Carrier Air War in Original WWII Color: US Navy Air Combat 1939-1946
Filled with over 200 rare original WWII color photos of US Navy aircraft and carriers on duty.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 20, 2024
This work was published by Barnes and Noble in 1999. The author is Barrett Tillman and the photos, all in colour, were collected by Robert Lawson. The book is probably 50% or more as photos and remainder is text. The authors have struck the right balance between photo and text, which is rare. As the title indicates, the book covers the aircraft carrier fleet, airplanes, pilots, air crew and service crew of the US Navy during the Second World War.
The focus is on the largest carriers and their air fleet including fighters, bombers, dive bombers and torpedo planes, as they flew the highest numbers. Surprisingly, the escort fleet, anti submarine fleet, scout, targeting, service, radar, rescue and training aircraft are also covered. Certain operational issues which had important impacts on extending the sea time and battle impacts of the carriers were discussed. Not only did the US Navy have more carriers than the enemy but they were able to double or triple the sea time and fighting time of their carriers.
Not surprisingly, the book starts with a brief history of the aircraft carrier around the world. This helps to define the status of ships and aircraft at the start of the war. The authors cover the easing of the Navy, including aircraft carriers, into the war. This gave the British more help than I knew “to protect American shipping.” This includes designing and ordering the replacing or upgrading of many aircraft types as early as 1937. The aircraft upgrading included lessons learned at Pearl Harbour, Midway and other early battles such as Operation Torch (North Africa). People working with the British realized that British radar was much advanced and were able to bring the technology to the US Navy. At this time radar aircraft were designed and subsequently deployed.
The Atlantic and Pacific theatres were quite different, and each has their own chapter. The Navy would always help the Army, however as the war progressed, squabbles began. In the Navy’s view, the advances from Australia failed to order enough aircraft and management failed to manage the deliveries. Tying the carriers to a specific island or front caused them to lose mobility, one of their major defensive capabilities especially from submarines.
Following the atomic bombs, the Navy decided on which aircraft to keep in the fleet and which to replace with new aircraft or upgrades. It was quite interesting to read the magnitude and speed of the evolution to jets and the need to carry atomic weapons as these were initially very heavy. Navy aircraft were generally undersized to carry these weapons. Some post-war operational changes caused division and morale challenges.
This is a very good book especially for readers with an interest in naval aviation or the war. Its text and photos are about the best I have seen covering one weapon system, type or vessel. Five stars
The focus is on the largest carriers and their air fleet including fighters, bombers, dive bombers and torpedo planes, as they flew the highest numbers. Surprisingly, the escort fleet, anti submarine fleet, scout, targeting, service, radar, rescue and training aircraft are also covered. Certain operational issues which had important impacts on extending the sea time and battle impacts of the carriers were discussed. Not only did the US Navy have more carriers than the enemy but they were able to double or triple the sea time and fighting time of their carriers.
Not surprisingly, the book starts with a brief history of the aircraft carrier around the world. This helps to define the status of ships and aircraft at the start of the war. The authors cover the easing of the Navy, including aircraft carriers, into the war. This gave the British more help than I knew “to protect American shipping.” This includes designing and ordering the replacing or upgrading of many aircraft types as early as 1937. The aircraft upgrading included lessons learned at Pearl Harbour, Midway and other early battles such as Operation Torch (North Africa). People working with the British realized that British radar was much advanced and were able to bring the technology to the US Navy. At this time radar aircraft were designed and subsequently deployed.
The Atlantic and Pacific theatres were quite different, and each has their own chapter. The Navy would always help the Army, however as the war progressed, squabbles began. In the Navy’s view, the advances from Australia failed to order enough aircraft and management failed to manage the deliveries. Tying the carriers to a specific island or front caused them to lose mobility, one of their major defensive capabilities especially from submarines.
Following the atomic bombs, the Navy decided on which aircraft to keep in the fleet and which to replace with new aircraft or upgrades. It was quite interesting to read the magnitude and speed of the evolution to jets and the need to carry atomic weapons as these were initially very heavy. Navy aircraft were generally undersized to carry these weapons. Some post-war operational changes caused division and morale challenges.
This is a very good book especially for readers with an interest in naval aviation or the war. Its text and photos are about the best I have seen covering one weapon system, type or vessel. Five stars
February 4, 2020
I really loved this book but then it combines two things I totally adore- REAL Colour photos from WWII and some really cool Oral history -straight from the mouths of the Aces and Leaders themselves! Robert Lawson and Barrett Tillman the author/editors have managed to find a lovely real colour photo of almost every type flown by the Navy during the war. The narrative content manages to discuss every single Type/Mission/Command and Theater of operations that Naval Aviation pursued. It's impressive particularly as these are pros, and the enormous logistical effort involved is always front and center.
This book really helps you understand how the Navy created a massive operation from a little mom-n pop operation in the 20s and 30s. While the Japanese Navy was an intentional aggressive weapon from the start, like Hitler's Panzer Regiments, the American effort was always at the mercy of budgets and the economic times. But the new tool- aviation- was just so darn useful. By 1945 there were Coastal Patrols. target drogue aircraft, Transport, Balloon, and Passenger Squadrons, as well as the Reconnaissance , Fighter, Bomber and Torpedo squadrons that spring to mind. Also we really get to understand how many kinds of Carriers that were deployed, the several kinds of small and "escort" carriers that supported and protected the entire navy- while Task Force 58 got the glory of hunting the Japanese Battle Fleets. It's impressive- a massive effort- more massive still when you add the training system that supported both it AND the British Imperial Carrier Training flow. Oh- and those Photos are GREAT.
There are few adult themes and no frank injury discussions, so this book is great for any Junior reader over about eleven years old. for the Gamer/Modeller/Military Enthusiast, this book is pure gold. While the prose are more for background, the photos are really great- and show you how these aircraft looked in Squadron and Training use, Some of the action memoirs might help one design a scenario or two- but there are ideas for dioramas on every second page. With a lovely full colour shot on almost every page- and some uncommon types in among the old favorites- this is just a wonderful dive through WWII Naval Aviation. A worthy read for any WWII, Aviation, Navy, or Carrier library.
This book really helps you understand how the Navy created a massive operation from a little mom-n pop operation in the 20s and 30s. While the Japanese Navy was an intentional aggressive weapon from the start, like Hitler's Panzer Regiments, the American effort was always at the mercy of budgets and the economic times. But the new tool- aviation- was just so darn useful. By 1945 there were Coastal Patrols. target drogue aircraft, Transport, Balloon, and Passenger Squadrons, as well as the Reconnaissance , Fighter, Bomber and Torpedo squadrons that spring to mind. Also we really get to understand how many kinds of Carriers that were deployed, the several kinds of small and "escort" carriers that supported and protected the entire navy- while Task Force 58 got the glory of hunting the Japanese Battle Fleets. It's impressive- a massive effort- more massive still when you add the training system that supported both it AND the British Imperial Carrier Training flow. Oh- and those Photos are GREAT.
There are few adult themes and no frank injury discussions, so this book is great for any Junior reader over about eleven years old. for the Gamer/Modeller/Military Enthusiast, this book is pure gold. While the prose are more for background, the photos are really great- and show you how these aircraft looked in Squadron and Training use, Some of the action memoirs might help one design a scenario or two- but there are ideas for dioramas on every second page. With a lovely full colour shot on almost every page- and some uncommon types in among the old favorites- this is just a wonderful dive through WWII Naval Aviation. A worthy read for any WWII, Aviation, Navy, or Carrier library.
March 30, 2013
This book has two things happening at once: a collection of all-color photography taken before and during WW2 of USN aviation, and first person accounts of aerial combat. On any given page the photos have nothing to do with the text. But that is OK, this book worked for me; each of the separate elements contributed to a good reading experience.
I am a bit staggered by the loss of naval aviators during the war, not just through combat but by something as simple as running out of gas and not making it back. One account in the book spoke of sending 50 aircraft out and only 5 returning. That is a big ocean out there, the chances of rescue were far less than certain.
I am a bit staggered by the loss of naval aviators during the war, not just through combat but by something as simple as running out of gas and not making it back. One account in the book spoke of sending 50 aircraft out and only 5 returning. That is a big ocean out there, the chances of rescue were far less than certain.
March 3, 2015
This is a great book for those very interested in WWII aviation or aviation in general. The pages don't line up with the text but that isn't that big of a deal. I enjoyed all the photos and names of planes and comparing the design but after awhile, I was done with the book. Read some on each page but didn't thoroughly dissect book. Whether it be because I am not as interested in this aspect, or if the language was way over my head - or a combination of both - this book wasn't my favorite in my study of WWII. Nevertheless, the color photos are wonderful and by the end I was envious of those who had the honor to capture such moments.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews