Naval Aviation in the Korean War: Aircraft, Ships, and Men
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Author: Warren Thompson
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books
ISBN: 978-1-84884-488-9
Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 176
The Korean War was an interesting transition period for aviation, as both piston-engined and jet-engined aircraft were operating side by side in just about every air force. While the transition to jets was taking place quicker on the land, they were also integrating into naval forces, albeit at a slower rate. This book examines naval aviation during this fascinating period of aviation evolution, juxtaposed over combat in Korea.
The book begins with naval aircraft carriers working to stop, or at least slow down, the North Korean push into South Korea. The Navy was using aviation during this phase for operations behind the enemy lines, trying to disrupt supply lines from the north. The aircraft operated at this time included the Vought Corsair and Douglas Skyraider, along with the jet-powered Grumman Panther. In the middle of 1951, the second Navy jet showed up, the McDonnell F2H Banshee, giving the Navy more options with jet power.
By 1952, the Panthers found themselves flying top cover more and more, protecting the slower and more vulnerable Corsairs and Skyraiders as they hit targets in the far north. The swept wing MiG-15 was a potent adversary for the straight-winged Panthers, but they still managed to do well. The opposition continued to grow in strength, though, and the arrival of modern Chinese anti-aircraft guns made the skies over North Korea deadly. Navy sorties continued to increase throughout the war, though, and each year saw more flights than the previous.
This is an excellent book on US Navy aviation during the Korean War, both in the written text and in the supplementary information. The author, Warren Thompson, is well known in aviation history circles and does a great job of telling the story here. The addition of some great photos, including color shots, helps highlight the men and aircraft. Overall, this is a book well worth reading if you are interested in the Navy's side of things in the air war over Korea. My thanks to Casemate for the review copy.