Military Model Scene

Title: A-7 Corsair II Units 1975-91
Author: Peter Mersky with Mike Crutch and Tony Holmes
Publisher: Osprey Books
ISBN: 978-1-4728-4497-2

Number 135 in the Combat Aircraft series from Osprey details the operational use of the A-7 Corsair II units in the US Navy 1975-91, covering both Pacific and Atlantic Fleets. A 96-page soft-cover book, and naturally following the basic format for these popular books.
The story of the A-7 Corsair II is spread across 6 chapters, and highlights just how often these light attack aircraft were called into action during their service career on US Carriers. Starting in 1975, when the Vietnam War was drawing to a close, Cambodian troops of the communist Khmer Rouge government seized the US flagged container ship, SS Mayaguez and US Navy units were called into action, as described in the book. In a chapter titled 'Peace After Vietnam', the 70's still presented challenges in both Korea and Iran. That leads on to the 'Turbulent 1980s', both in Lebanon and Grenada. Chapter 4 covers 'More Action in the Middle East', still with problems in Lebanon, before chapter 5 picks up on Libya and Iran. By chapter 6 we get to the closing stages of the Corsair's operational career, with the two remaining squadrons involved in Desert Shield/Desert Storm. As well as the details of the events described throughout the book, there are personal accounts from a number of A-7 pilots telling us of their experiences, which includes how they got on with things like air refuelling, how they managed with various types of weapons delivery, and of course, facing SAM and AAA threats during the First Gulf War. As ever, there is a section of 15 pages with 30 beautiful colour artwork profiles, which illustrate the variety of styles of camouflage and markings worn by the A-7 over the years, and there are detailed descriptions for each one in the appendices at the end of the book, along with a list of A-7 units in both Pacific and Atlantic Fleets during the period covered in the book.
I always liked the era of the A-7 Corsair in service on US Carriers, for the variety of aircraft types seen together as part of their Strike Groups, and the changes from those early colourful markings, through to the later low-vis markings and dull grey colours seen in later years. The accounts from the pilots, especially during the Gul War I thought, give an interesting insight into the many issues that affect operational missions, operating at night and facing real SAM and AAA threats while trying to do a mission as briefed. With the artwork, the archive photos (both colour and black & white, another fine addition to the series.
Thanks to Osprey Publishing for our review copy.

Robin