Having just reviewed Sharkey Ward's book I realized that I haven't as yet reviewed "Vlamgat" by Brigadier-General Dick Lord. I'd bought a signed copy the morning after its author died.
The SAAF then has to complete development and create a team that can fully utilize the new weapon system. The local arms and aviation industry provide much need assistance in completing development.
Dick Lord is able to put you in the cockpit as he trains his pilots and together they develop attack profiles that have to be proven in the heat of battle.
The flying is incredible, particularly at low level and at high speed. Indeed having seen photos of F1AZs on the deck over the bush it's easier to look for their shadows!!!
The book covers the Border War from start to finish from the aviators perspective and it is interesting to read how the F1s rotated from their home base to the operational area in the then South West Africa.
In action they find that their aircraft are in fact highly visible from above and immediately have to change the camouflage scheme in order reduce their vulnerability.
The two MiG kills by the Mirage F1CZ is also covered with diagrams of the action and camera gun stills. There are also a good few photographs that draws the reader in putting faces to the names and giving one insights into F1 operations.
Their attack profiles have to be adapted to counter ever increasingly sophisticated Soviet air defense systems. The seat of the pants flying is riveting and the action dramatic.
This book is a must read for anyone that is in any way interested in the Mirage F1. You'll come to better appreciate its capabilities in combat and what it takes to build a team that can extract the most from what is a gorgeous looking aircraft.
The Mirage F1AZ in the early camouflage scheme which proved too visible from above.
The Mirage F1AZ in the camouflage scheme adopted after enemy encounters.
No comments:
Post a Comment