Reviews for Iranian F-4 Phantom II Units in Combat

The average rating for Iranian F-4 Phantom II Units in Combat based on 2 reviews is 5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2012-07-25 00:00:00 Matthew Sardo This book covers Iranian F-4 Phantom II operations during the Iran-Iraq war from 1980-1988, and covers F-4D, E and RF-4E operations. The book is immediately a breath of fresh air from the usual accounts of first-world air force operations that tend to be accounts of them steamrolling an under-matched opponent. The account of Iranian F-4 operations are instead a story of an Air Force wracked by purges, executions, and mistrust aimed at the them by the new Islamic revolutionary government. This made the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force both under-prepared and poorly supported by the new government, which increasingly packed the force with sycophants and neglected both maintenance, repair, and other support operations for the force. Despite this all, Iranian F-4 pilots maintained an amazing tempo of operations and some daring missions that belied their excellent equipment, training, and courage. This engaging story, along with tight writing and Osprey's glossy production values, makes for a worthwhile account of first-world equipment tested in unpredetermined engagements against a numerically, politically, and financially well-endowed opponent. Even though the book tops out at about 90 pages (including about 10 pages of color photos and airframe profiles) feels neither too short, nor too long. There are a few caveats to this book, however. One is that it focuses heavily on the first two years of the war, when a lot of the really desperate action occurred. The rest of the war including the Tanker War and the War of the Cities does not gain as much attention, and feels a bit rushed. Secondly, and more importantly, once has to take the authors very much at their word, as the book contradicts much traditionally held knowledge on the IRIAF's capabilities during the war and their effectiveness in combat as a result. If one can talk all that is said with a grain of salt, and read it with an understanding that the book has a notable Po-Iranian bent, then it and it's brother book on Iranian F-14A's in combat by the same authors is a worthwhile read. Hopefully, they will eventually write one on the third arm of the triumvirate of Iranian air power in service during the war - the F-5 Tiger.

Review # 2 was written on 2015-06-06 00:00:00 Loren Marshall This has got to be the premier, most, in-depth documentation of the life of the Spitfire. I can't imagine any other book on the Spitfire being more comprehensive. I did not read every page, but I read the chapters to get a gist of the overall life-cycle of this amazing machine. If you need information about the Spitfire - this is it!