[DADoser]

(This is a "preview" in the sense that I just received this book yesterday and haven't read it from cover to cover - just briefly scanned the text)

332nd fighter Group - Tuskegee Airmen. Osprey: Aviation Elite Units series. (just published - Jan. 2007)

128 pages. 28 color illustrated aircraft profiles covering the history of the unit - (1) AT-6a; (5) P-40's; (1) P-39; (3) P-47 - including corgi's 1:72 release; (12) P-51 B/C; and (6) P-51 D's. 5 color illustrated unit insignia/heraldry. Appendices on unit victories and "Pilots with Multiple Confirmed Ariel Kills" - includes type of plane shot down - i.e. Bf 109, Me 262, etc. (No scale drawings or "top/bottom" view illustrations like I've seen in some othe books in this Osprey series.)

Contents/book is written chronologically; (and from what I've briefly read) concisely as well as comprehensively.

I have 5 previous books in my library on the Tuskegee Airmen - 2 scholarly unit histories; 1 biography; 1 focused on artwork/paintings; and one on photos (Images of America series - I think). I can confindently say - having not completely read the above book, yet - that this will be my "go-to" book for the Tuskegee airmen in my library. Plenty of photos; illustrations; men AND aircraft focused. It even has a chapter specifically on the P-39 and P-47 by the 332nd - a subject I found lacking or difficult to find in other books on the Tuskegee Airmen.

Again, for me, I'm confident that this will be the definitive book on the Tuskegee Airmen in my library.

[chiefs70]

Thanks for the info, DaDoser. I have nearly every Tuskegee model built and have used their experiences as a core to many of my lessons to my son regarding adversity, dedication and human triumph. I'll have to check this one out.

[DADoser]

I've now had a chance to read the first 3 (of 10) chapters of this book (the next/4th chapter is "Enter the Mustang.")

Like almost all the Osprey books - there isn't a lot of wasted words. I very much like the way this book is written and reads. The first couple pages set the racial tone in the U.S. during the 1930's and 40's and the context of Black aviators/CPTP/Tuskegee in the larger context of the U.S. Army and society in general. Book does not come off "preachy." You do get a sense of the good guys and the "bad" guys within the fight to integrate the U.S. Army at the time.

Has several first person quotes from Tuskegee personel as well as upper level officers involved in the Tuskegee "experiment." Also includes quotes from government reports/evaluations regarding Tuskegee. These are weaved well in context of the chronological story.

Missions/airiel combat/incidents are written concisely - again not any wasted words. I feel like I've read a lot more than 46 pages.

What I really like and am also suprised about, is that this book also presents incidents that make you think "Why did that happen?" - i.e ground collisions; "mistakes;" etc. (I've never flown an aircraft, but some of the stuff kinda makes me scratch my head.) This book gives you an honest picture of air operations within a fighter group(s) - no whitewashing (so to speak) or deletion of incidents - i.e. when one Tuskegee airmen landed his P-47 intact on a German airfield - 35 miles in the opposite direction of his base. (This was the first intact, flyable P-47 to fall into german hands.)

Seemed like a lot of accidents with the P-39's and P-47's. Keep in mind they were hand-me-down aircraft that had been flown extensively by prior units.
As I am reading this book, I'm wondering if other units had the kind of non-combat losses/accidents that seemed to plague the Tuskegee airmen - before they got the P-51. (NOT taking ANYTHING away from their accomplishments - militarily as well as within the larger picture of civil rights/U.S.armed forced integration.)

I am really enjoying this book - and because its so densely written, am overwhelmed with the details/story.

HIGHLY reccomend this book!

[flyXwire]

Thanks for the review and heads up on this book, Doug. Per your recommendation, I've ordered this book through Borders books. I don't have much in the way of information (other than the PBS documentary DVD, HBO film, and the diecasts, of course) about the Tuskegee Airmen, so this new publication from OSPREY IS a must have in my library. Thanks, ACE!

[chiefs70]

I ordered a copy as well. Thanks again for the recommendation.

[duxford]

After the book arrived, I had to watch the HBO movie again. The film is not quite accurate, but who cares: those fighters are just too beautiful to miss on the home theater sound system. And the wife likes the film too.

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by duxford

After the book arrived, I had to watch the HBO movie again. The film is not quite accurate, but who cares: those fighters are just too beautiful to miss on the home theater sound system. And the wife likes the film too.

I'm very excited that a new film about the "Red Tails" Tuskegee airmen has finally been given a 'green light' by George Lucas! Between this and the "The Red Baron" due out later this year, and then possibly Peter Jackson's "The Dambusters" out sometime next year...we're in for some very nice treat of historic military aviation genres.

[STARMAN 352ND]

Originally Posted by flyXwire

I'm very excited that a new film about the "Red Tails" Tuskegee airmen has finally been given a 'green light' by George Lucas! Between this and the "The Red Baron" due out later this year, and then possibly Peter Jackson's "The Dambusters" out sometime next year...we're in for some very nice treat of historic military aviation genres.

I have not heard when this is coming to the states or DVD for that matter....Have you heard any new updates on it ?
JP

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by STARMAN 352ND

I have not heard when this is coming to the states or DVD for that matter....Have you heard any new updates on it ?
JP

JP, the Red Baron movie is slated for release next year according to the http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365675/ sources. It is more than likely we will
see this film sometime next year as well.

[STARMAN 352ND]

Originally Posted by flyXwire

JP, the Red Baron movie is slated for release next year according to the http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365675/ sources. It is more than likely we will
see this film sometime next year as well.

Well that is a ways off...Feb 14,2008 release date...Maybe late 2008 it will be out in DVD..
As far as the Tuskegee Airmen book i'm going to be getting one and can't wait to see the new "Red Tails" movie too.
JP