F4U Corsair Units of the Korean War
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Combat Aircraft 78
Author: Warren Thompson
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-84603-411-4
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 96
While the Chance Vought F4U Corsair achieved fame during the Second World War, it soldiered on for several years after that conflict, long enough to see combat in the next war: the Korean Conflict. While jet aircraft were beginning to supersede piston-engined designs, the early 1950s still saw room for both types of powerplants, especially when it came to loiter time and payload. This latest title from Osprey examines the operations of US Navy and Marine Corps Corsair operations during the Korean War.
The book begins with the early operations in Korea, as the Allied forces began to push the North Korean forces north. During this time, the Corsair performed quite well in the close air support role, as well as the air-to-air role, holding its own against the North Korean piston-engined Yak-9 aircraft.
After this introduction to Korean Corsair operations, the book is then divided into three main sections: Navy operations, Marine operations, and nightfighter operations. This is probably the best way to tell the story of the Corsair in Korea, as each branch had its own mission to perform, and the nightfighters were really in a world of their own. The text is a good blend of standard historical fare coupled with personal stories from those who were there, making it a good read.
Of course, no Osprey book would be complete without a collection of photos, and this book is no exception. A very nice touch is the inclusion of quite a few color photos, which really set off some of these Corsairs and also highlights the extreme weathering many suffered from during their Korean stint. Complementing the photographs, of course, are the color profile illustrations. These offer up more detail as to colors and markings, and show that the Korean Corsairs were some rather attractively marked aircraft.
Overall, this is a great introduction to Corsair operations in Korea, one which will undoubtedly leave many readers wanting more. Personally, after reading this book I would like to see an in-depth treatise on the Corsair nightfighters in Korea, and perhaps this book will encourage an author to tackle that subject. My thanks to Osprey for the review copy.