Fighter Aces

What was it really like to be a fighter pilot during the Second World War?
Air combat is quick: Each choice must be decisive and executed without hesitation. Mere seconds can decide who will go down in the record books and who will go down in flames. In the high arenas of the Second World War, only a select few pilots ever shot down more than five enemy aircraft and earned the ambitious title of a "Fighter Ace". What made them a breed apart from their fellow fighter pilots? What separated the hunters from the hunted?

This is the story of the fighter aces who flew throughout the war in many different operational theatres. The book opens with the first Polish Aces during the German invasion and continues with Finland’s pilots in the Winter War against the Soviets.

This is the story of the fighter aces who flew throughout the war in many different operational theatres. The book opens with the first Polish Aces during the German invasion and continues with Finland’s pilots in the Winter War against the Soviets.

Fighter Aces of the U.S.A. is the most complete, full-spectrum book ever published on American fighter aces, and includes dozens of aces' combat accounts, plus capsule biographies. Evolution of aircraft, tactics and armament is seen through the eyes of the 1400 elite Americans who earned the coveted title "Ace". Comprehensive revisions and updates to this new edition include the most complete statistics of American aces ever published, and is fully current to date of publication. Authoritative and compelling narrative also presents eyebrow-raising facts on enemy aces who fought Americans in all wars and theatres. Lists include names and scores, plus intriguing data on Soviet Air Force aces who battled USAF aces over Korea. Lavishly illustrated with hundreds of photos, this book is a must reference for every historian and "buff's" bookshelf.