Air Wars and Aircraft: A Detailed Record of Air Combat, 1945 to the Present

424 Pages·1990·61.411 MB·English

by  Victor Flintham

AIR.WARS
AIRCRAFT
A
Detailed Record of Air Combat, 1945 to the Present
VICTOR FLINTHAM
Almost every day since \,45 has seen aircraft
engaged in warfare somewhere in the world-
Algeria, Indonesia Angola, Palestine, Cyprus,
Rhodesia, the Philippines, Afghanistan,
GrenadaandVietnam tonamejusta few. This
outstanding single-source reference will sur-
prise the most devoted student by the wealth
of facts and figures it provides.
The author has described every operational
use of aircraft, however insignificant, since
1945: only in this way is it possible to
understand why they were used and what the
limitations on theiroperation were. The wars
themselves are grouped on a geographical
basis, which helps to relate events, and it is
hoped that the information herein will assist
the reader in placing future events in their
true perspective.
Air Wars andAircraft is intended to meet a
wide range of needs without compromising
the objective of being comprehensive. Exten-
siveusehasbeenmadeoftables,andcomplete
ordersofbattle aregiven toroverninetywars,
including Korea and Vietnam. The data in-
cludes units, equipment, roles, bases and
dates.Greatcarehasbeen taken toensure this
is accurate, and much of it has never been
published before. Each section also contains
notes on representative aircraft markings,
making the book of great practical value to
modellers. Over 100 specially commissioned
maps provide the most accurate reference yet
to airfields and targets in the war zones - for
example, the locations of Arab and Israeli
airfields are published for the first time. An
extensive international bibliography and in-
valuable appendices containing designations,
serial and code systems and reporting names
provide a wealthofuseful information aswell
as sources for those who wish to pursue
further research.
Complementing this detailed narrative are
some 200 carefully selected photographs
which reflect the wide range of aircraft used
overthedecades,fromSpitfiretoHarrier, from
Mustang to Phantom. Many of these are from
private sources and have never previously
been published.
A unique and invaluable volume for layman
and expert alike, Air Wars and Aircraft is
strong on fact and analysis and light on
opinion. It is destined to become a book that
graces every aviation enthusiast's bookshelf.
flLENCOUNTYPUBLICLIBRARY
STO
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Flintham, Victor
Air wars and Aircraft
DO NOT REMOVE
CARDS FROM POCKET
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
FORT WAYNE, INDIANA 46802
Youmayreturnthisbooktoanyagency,branch,
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AIRJVARS
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A
Detailed Record of Air Combat, 1945 to the Present
VICTOR FLINTHAM
©
Copyright 1990byVictorFlintham.
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedorutilized
inanvformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,including
photocopying,recording,orbyanyinformationstorageorretrieval
systems,withoutpermissioninwritingfromthepublisher.For
informationcontact:
FactsOnFile,Inc.,460ParkAvenueSouth,NewYorkNY 10016,
USA.
LibraryofCongressCataloginginPublicationData
Flintham,Victor.
Airwarsandaircraft.
Includesbibliographicalreferences.
1.Airwarfare-History. 2.Militaryhistory,Modern-20th
century. I.Title.
UG630.F^ 1990 358.4'009 89-23382
ISBN0-8160-23^6-^
FactsonFilebooksareavailableatspecialdiscountswhenpurchased
inbulkquantitiesforbusinessassociations,institutionsorsales
promotions.PleasecontacttheSpecialSalesDepartmentofourNew
Yorkofficeat212 683-2244.dialsoi) 522-8755exceptinNY,AKor
HI).
TextdesignbyRogerChesneau.
JacketdesignbyDavidGibbons.
CompositionbyTypesetters(Birmingham!Ltd.
ManufacturedbyCourierInternationalLtd.
PrintedinGreatBritain. ^fc
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Contents
Introduction 7 5: East Africa 137
5.1. Madagascar, 1947-1948 137
5.2. Somaliland, 1947-1950 138
1: Europe 9 5.3 Eritrea, 1950-1952 139
1.1. The Greek Civil War, 1944-1949 9 5.4. Kenya, 1952-1956 140
1.2. Albania, 1949-1954 13 5.5. The East African Mutinies, 1964 143
1.3. Cyprus, 1955-1959 14 5.6. Somalia and Kenya, 1963-1967 144
1.4. Cyprus, 1963 to date 16 5.7. The Ethiopian Wars 145
1.5. Hungary, 1956 18 5.8. Eritrea, 1961 to date 146
1.6. Czechoslovakia, 1968 19 5.9. Somalia, 1977 to date 147
1.7. The Berlin Airlift, 1948-1949 19 5.10 Sudan, 1955 to date 149
1.8. The Berlin Wall Crisis, 1961-1962 24 5.11 Uganda, 1972 to date 151
1.9. Northern Ireland, 1969 to date 26 5.12 The Israeli Raid on Entebbe, 1976 152
1.10. Strategic intelligence-gathering, 1949 to 5.13 The Seychelles, 1981 154
date 27 5.14 Miscellaneous conflicts and incidents 154
1.11. Miscellaneous conflicts and incidents 34 6: The Arabian Peninsula, Iraq and Iran155
2: The Eastern Mediterranean 36 6.1. South Arabia, 1945-1967 156
2.1. Palestine, 1945-1948 37 6.2. Yemen, 1962-1970 162
2.2. Israel, 1948-1949 40 6.3. Oman, 1952-1959 164
2.3. Sinai, 1956 43 6.4. Kuwait, 1961 166
2.4. Suez, 1956 47 6.5. Dhofar, 1965-1975 168
2.5. The Six-DayWar, 1967 56 6.6. The GulfWar, 1980-1988 171
2.6. The WarofAttrition, 1969-1970 61 6.7. Kurdestan, 1945 to date 179
2.7. The Yom KippurWar, 1973 63 6.8. The Iranian Hostage Rescue Attempt,
2.8. Lebanon, 1958 67 1980 181
2.9 Israel in Lebanon, 1978 to date 68 6.9 Israel and Iraq, 1981 183
2.10. Jordan, 1958 74 6.10 Miscellaneous conflicts and incidents 184
2.11. The Jordanian Civil War, 1970 75 7: The Indian Sub-Continent 186
2.12. Miscellaneous conflicts and incidents 76
7.1. Kashmir, 1947-1949 186
3: North and West Africa 79 7.2. The North-West Frontier, 1947 189
3.1. Algeria, 1954-1962 79 7.3. The Rann of Kutch, 1965 190
3.2. Morocco in the Spanish Sahara, 1975 to 7.4. India and Pakistan, 1965 190
date 85 7.5. India and Pakistan, 1971 196
3.3. Tunisia, 1961 87 7.6. Afghanistan, 1979 to date 202
3.4 Libya, 1971 to date 88 7.7. Ceylon, 1971 210
3.5. Chad, 1968 to date 93 7.8. Sri Lanka, 1978 to date 212
3.6. Cameroons, 1960-1961 97 7.9. Miscellaneous conflicts and incidents 213
3.7. Portuguese Guinea, 1963-1974 97 8: China, Korea and Japan 215
3.8. The Nigerian Civil War, 1967-1970 99 8.1. The Chinese CivilWar, 1945-1949 216
3.9 Miscellaneous conflicts and incidents 104
8.2. Burma, 1948 to date 218
4: Central and Southern Africa 105 8.3. Tibet, 1950-1970 219
4.1. The Congo, 1960-1964 105 8.4. Korea, 1950-1953 219
4.2 The Congo, 1964-1967 110 8.4.1. AiiSuperiority 220
4.3. Zaire, 1977-1978 112 8.4.2. Fighter-Bombers 224
4.4. Angola, 1961-1975 113 8.4.3. BomberOperations 228
44..56.. AMnogzoalmab,iq19u7e5,t1o9d6a2t-e1975 111196 888...444...564... NRUeaScvoaMnlanrAaiiinrscesraaCnfotcrepsanOdpeOrbasteirovnastion 223360
4.7 Mozambique, 1975 to date 122 Aircraft 239
4.8 Rhodesia, 1965-1980 123 8.4.7. Transport Operations 242
4.9. South Africa, 1966 to date 130 8.4.8. Support Operations 244
4.10. Miscellaneous conflicts and incidents 136 8.5. North and South Korea, 1953 to date 245
1
8.6. Formosa, 1954 to date 247 11.3. Haiti, 1963 352
8.7. China and India, 1962 to date 250 11.4. The Dominican Republic, 1965 353
8.8. China and Vietnam, 1979 todate 251 11.5. Anguilla, 1969 354
8.9. Miscellaneous conflicts and incidents 251 11.6. Grenada, 1983 355
9: Indo-China 253 11.7. Costa Rica 1948-1955 358
9.1. Indo-China, 1945-1954 254 11.8. Guatemala, 1954 358
9.2. Vietnam, 1954-1975 263 11.9. Honduras and Nicaragua, 1957 359
9.2.1. Vietnam, 1954-1964 265 11.10. Honduras and El Salvador, 1969. 359
9.2.2. Offensive Operations 269 11.11. Belize, 19?5 to date 360
9.2.3. CarrierOperations 278 11.12. Nicaragua 1979 to date 361
9.2.4. ReconnaissanceandElectronic Warfare 283 11.13. El Salvador, 1980 to date 365
9.2.5. SupportandRescue Operations 287 11.14. Miscellaneous conflicts and incidents 366
9.2.6. ArmyandMarine CorpsHelicopter
Operations 293 12: South America 368
9.2.7. TransportandRefuellingOperations 299 12.1. British Guiana, 1962-1966 368
9.2.8. TheNorth VietnameseAirForce. 12.2. Venezuela, 1958 368
1954-1975 304 12.3. Argentina, 1955 369
9.3. Laos, 1954-1975 305 12.4. The Falkland Islands, 1982 370
9.4. Laos, 1975 to date 309 12.5. Miscellaneous conflicts and incidents 381
9.5. Cambodia, 1964 to date 310
9.6. Miscellaneous conflicts and incidents 313 Appendices 383
10: Indonesia, Malaysia and the I. Codes and Serial Numbers 383
Philippines 314 II. British Military Aircraft Designations 383
10.1. The Netherlands East Indies, 1945-1950 314 m. United States MilitaryAircraft
Designations 384
10.2. Indonesia, 1950-1962 319
10.3. West Irian (Dutch New Guinea), 1962 321 rv. UManniutfeadcSttuarteerssAairncdraNftamDeessignations, 385
1100..45.. TEahsetPThiimloirpp,in1e9s7,51t9o4d6a-t1e954 332212 UUnniitteNdaSmteatses Navy and Marine Corps 386
10.6. The Philippines, 1964 to date 323
10.7. Malaya, 1948-1960 326 VI. Projects, Operations and Call-Signs,
Vietnam, 1961-1975 388
10.8. Borneo, 1962-1966 338
10.9. Miscellaneous operations, conflicts and VII. Soviet Aircraft Designations 391
incidents 344
Bibliography 393
11: The Caribbean and Central America 345
Glossary 400
11.1. The Bay of Pigs, 196 345
11.2. The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962 349 Index 409