In Israeli service the multi-role F-4 flew attack and air-to-air missions with equal success, yet due to the availability of the Mirage III and Nesher delta fighters, the American aircraft flew mainly air-to-ground missions. Nevertheless, aces were created, and the story of these crews is described through first-hand accounts in this unique volume. Indeed, the human aspects of fighting in a two-seat fighter-bomber against formidable and sometimes superior defences are thoroughly analysed. Teaming pilots with previous experience of the Mirage III with transport or newly graduated navigators proved ultimately to be a successful approach. This is the first volume ever to be dedicated exclusively to Israeli F-4 aces.

Author Biography

Israeli author Shlomo Aloni is a life-long student of Middle East air warfare in general and of the Israeli Air Force in particular. He is the Israeli correspondent of the magazine 'Air Forces Monthly' (UK) and a regular contributor to journals such as 'Avion Revue' (Spain), 'Air Enthusiast,' 'Air International' and 'Scale Aviation Modelling' (UK). Together with Brian Cull and David Nicolle he was co-author of 'Spitfires over Israel' (Grub Street, 1993) and 'Wings over Suez' (Grub Street, 1996). Mark has illustrated several books in both the Aircraft of the Aces and Combat Aircraft series. He has recently switched mediums from airbrush to Mac art, and has produced some of the best profiles Osprey has used to date in Combat Aircraft 18: 'B-17 Flying Fortress Units of the Eigth Air Force' (part 1) and Combat Aircraft 22: 'Mitsubishi Type 1 Rikko Betty Units of World War 2'.