{"product_id":"f8-crusader-9781472857545","title":"F8 Crusader","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWith specially commissioned artworks and dynamic combat ribbon diagrams, this volume reveals how the ''last of the gunfighters'', as the F-8 was dubbed by its pilots, prevailed against the growing MiG threat of the Vietnamese People''s Air Force\u003ci\u003e.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen the Vietnam War began, the F-8 was already firmly established as a fighter and reconnaissance aircraft. It entered combat as an escort for Alpha strike packages, braving the anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missiles alongside the A-4 Skyhawk bombers and meeting MiGs for the first time on 3 April 1965. Although the Crusader was nicknamed ''last of the gunfighters'', its pilots employed ''secondary'' AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles in all but one of their MiG kills, with guns also used as back-up in three. Its 20 mm guns were unreliable as they often jammed during strenuous manoeuvres, although they were responsible for damaging a number of MiGs. However, in combat the F-8 had the highest ''exchange ratio'' (kil\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e(Subject to confirmation) 1. In Battle 2. Setting the Scene 3. Path to Combat 4. Weapon of War 5. Art of War 6. Combat Aftermath Bibliography Index\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bloomsbury Publishing PLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48867223765335,"sku":"9781472857545","price":14.39,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781472857545.jpg?v=1722282290","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/f8-crusader-9781472857545","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}