F3D Skyknight in Action - Softcover

Carey, Alan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0897476859 ISBN 13: 9780897476850

Publisher: Squadron/Signal Publications, 2012

Synopsis

The US Navy's first all-weather jet fighter, the Douglas F3D Skyknight, traces its origins to 1945, when the Navy began studies for a jet-powered carrier-based night fighter. Ready for service when war broke out in Korea in 1950, the Skyknight, also known as Willy the Whale, proved its worth in the capable hands of pilots and radar operators with Marine Night Fighter Squadron VMF(N)-513. The F3D scored the highest number of aerial victories for an all-weather jet fighter in that conflict. Later, in the late 1950s and 1960s, Douglas Aircraft, in conjunction with the Navy and Marine Corps, modified a number of the Skyknights to perform a variety of tasks. This book chronicles the development and operational history of the Navy fighter from conception to duty in the Korean War, to service as a night interceptor in Vietnam, where it was an ECM/ELINT platform, jamming North Vietnamese missile and anti-aircraft sites. Packed with never-before-published photographs covering the entire operational life of the F3D-1/2, F3D-2B, F3D-1/2M, F3D-2T2, and the EF-10B variants.

About this title

Review:

"It is a superb book chock full of photographs and historical background of its combat use in Korea and Vietnam. Though 'Willie the Whale' is no longer in the air, we can still enjoy reading about and seeing photos of this most interesting aircraft. Highly recommended." -Scott Van Aken, Modeling Madness.com
May 2012

"A good solid, reference for this long-serving aircraft which flew from 1948 until its final example was retired in 1987. Not too bad for Willie the Whale. I recommend it to anyone with an interest in Naval jets, Korean and Vietnam War buffs, and those of you who like nightfighters," -Phil Peterson, IPMS/USA
August 5, 2012

"This is one of the more interesting and well-researched In Action series books that I have read...I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it." -CDR Doug Siegfried, USN (Ret), The Hook
Fall 2012

About this edition

• Publisher: Squadron/Signal Publications
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0897476859
• ISBN 13: 9780897476850
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 80