The French Vautour was designed to serve as an attack aircraft, bomber and nightfighter. Israel purchased all three versions and was the only nation to operate all three types. Sqdn.110 recon Vautours collected imagery crucial for IAF Operation Focus, the pre-emptive strike that opened the June 1967 Six Day War. It was during this war that Sqdn. 110 attack Vautours spearheaded the IAF air superiority offensive.
The American manufactured F-4 Phantom II was used by the Israelis in air-to-ground missions, as an attack aircraft, and air-to-air missions as a fighter. Despite performing both roles with equal success the Israeli reliance on the Mirage III and Nesher delta fighters meant that the F-4 was used most regularly in its air-to-ground role. The kill total of the Israeli F-4 community was, consequently, a modest 116.5; significantly lower than that of other Israeli aircraft types in service between 1969 and 1982. A handful of aces were, nevertheless, created and, using first hand accounts, this unique book tells their stories. Many F-4 pilots had previously flown the Mirage III but most of the navigators were either inexperienced flying school graduates or had been transferred from transport aircraft. The decision to create such teams may have appeared an odd one and it certainly led to a number of interesting experiences but proved, ultimately, to be so successful that by 2010 the Israeli air force will have more two-seat combat aircraft than single-seat fighters. The F-4 experience was, therefore, crucial to moulding the future of the Israeli air force.
The story of how the Israeli Force achieved one of the most audacious and important air power victories in history, wiping out enemy air forces more than twice its own size in a single morning. This new illustrated study examines the planning, execution and aftermath of Operation Focus showing how it not only effectively won the Six Day War for Israel, but also impacted military thinking--in the Middle East and all over the globe--so profoundly that military leaders' perceptions of air superiority were practically transformed in its wake, signalling a turning point in the Cold War. The Israeli Air Force's Operation Focus was not only a watershed in the history of the modern Middle East but was one of the greatest and most effective air superiority campaigns ever waged. On a single morning, almost the entire IAF was committed to a surprise, preemptive airstrike against the air forces of the encircling Arab states. The attack was extraordinarily successful. Hundreds of Arab aircraft were destroyed, their airfields crippled, and the IAF gained almost complete air supremacy for the rest of the war.
Since 1947, Arab-Israeli conflicts have torn the Middle-East asunder. Tracing the development of hostilities in the Middle East, this book covers the period from the establishment of the first proper Israeli Air Force to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and beyond. číst celé
Israeli delta fighters pilots have been credited with almost 300 kills between 1966 and 1974, and dozens of them became aces. The Israeli aerial kill exchange rate and overall air-to-air performance was phenomenal. Although the Israeli pilots were flying Mach 2 fighters, they lacked any modern radar equipment and their MiG-21 flying opponents should have had a performance edge over them. This book details their most signifcant engagements, many of which were essentially World War 2 style dogfights fought with jet aircraft. Because neither side had the combat edge to disengage at will most engagements were a life and death struggle and the introduction of air-to-air missiles and the Israeli Nesher was to prove decisive in this theatre.
"By participating in 1956 Suez Crisis Israel exploited an opportunity to join forces with France and the United Kingdom in an attack against Egypt in order to accomplish diplomatic, military and political objectives: to open the Red Sea international shipping lane to ships sailing from and to Eilat; to strengthen its alliance with France; to end - or at least to scale down - Egyptian hosted Palestinian terror attacks against Israel; to launch a preventive war in order to crush Egyptian military power before its completion of the transistion to Soviet weapons could tempt Egypt to attack Israel and in order to accomplish a profound victory to deter Egypt from pursuing another round of war policy. Operation KADESH was the Israeli part in the Anglo-French attack and this title chronicles Istaeli Air Force operations along the timeline of Operation KADESH - from day 1 on 29 October 1956 until day 11 on 8 November 1956 - in thus far unmatched depth and detail; all known Israel Air Force missions and sorties are listed and described and all air combats between Israeli Mystères and Egyptian MiGs an dVampires are presented and analysed. The large variety of aircraft flown - Dassault Mystères, Dassault Ouragans and Gloster Meteors; B-17 Flying Fortresses, P-51 Mustangs and De Havilland Mosquitoes; T-6 Texans (Harvards) and T-17 Kaydets (Stearmans); Nord 2501 Noratlases, C-47 Skytrains (Dakotas), Pipers and Consuls and even a pair of Sikorsky S055 helicopters - are all covered in this title, which presents Israeli Air Force operations during the Suez War in a depth and detail unseen in previous publications. The text is supported by numerous photographs and colour profiles."--Back cover
The book chronicles the history of the Israeli Air Force's 69 Squadron, known as the Hammers, highlighting their role as a long-range bombing unit across six wars. It details their evolution from the B-17 Flying Fortress and PBY Catalina to the F-4 Phantom and F-15I Thunder, including significant missions such as the bombardment of Cairo in 1948 and key operations during the Yom Kippur and Lebanon Wars. Unique insights into the squadron's aircraft, operations, and personnel provide a comprehensive look at their impact on Israeli air power.
The book delves into the operational history of the Dassault Mystere IVA combat aircraft within the Israeli Air Force from 1956 to 1968. Initially serving as a premier interceptor in two squadrons, its role evolved from air-to-air combat to air-to-ground missions as newer aircraft were introduced. The transition highlights the strategic shifts in the Israeli Air Force's capabilities and the Mystere's eventual phase-out, marking a significant period in military aviation history.
Israeli F-4 Phantom Operations During the Yom Kippur War
Focusing on the intense operations of the Israeli Air Force during the October 1973 Yom Kippur War, this book provides an in-depth look at the F-4 Phantom/Kurnass squadrons. It details their extensive missions, including over 3,000 sorties, and highlights the challenges faced, with more than 80 enemy kills and 30 aircraft losses. The narrative captures the experiences of individual crew members, making it essential reading for enthusiasts of military aviation and modern warfare history.