Post by frank on Nov 18, 2007 14:35:14 GMT -5
Pictorial History of the Philippine Air Force
50th Anniversary 1947-1997
by Alberto A. Anido and Brian Austria Tomkins
Soft Cover 8"X12", 71 pages.
www.geocities.com/afpmuseum/bkpaf.html
Review:
Document created: 8 July 05
Published: Air & Space Power Journal - Fall 2005
Pictorial History of the Philippine Air Force: 50th Anniversary, 1947–1997 by Alberto A. Anido and Brian Austria-Tomkins. AVA, P.O. Box 21104, Oxnard, California 93034, 1997, 71 pages, $20.95 (softcover).
Published on the 50th anniversary of the youngest service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Pictorial History of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is a fascinating photo-essay of the 54 aircraft and helicopter types that flew with that air force since its rebirth on 1 July 1947. Beginning with a foreword by Lt Gen William K. Hotchkiss III, the 24th commanding general of the PAF, the book inventories all of the service’s aircraft, both retired and active. The aircraft photographs, both color and black and white, appear chronologically, according to the date of the plane’s entry into service with the PAF. Additionally, two pages deal with aircraft insignias, unit markings, and nose art.
The first part of the book depicts the postwar days of the PAF (1945–50), beginning with the Douglas C-47, an aircraft that served well into the 1980s as both transport and bomber. The fighter force consisted of North American P-51D Mustangs, which saw action during the counterinsurgency campaign of the 1950s. Two other notable aircraft of this time were the Boeing Stearman and North American T-6 Texan, both used as trainers.
The second section covers the jet age, marked by the arrival in 1955 of the Lockheed T-33, utilized by the PAF in training and tactical reconnaissance. Following the Thunderbird two years later, the North American F-86F Sabre saw action not only in the Philippine skies but also in an overseas United Nations mission. The PAF flew the D model Sabre as well. Additionally, the T-28 Trojan, popularly known as the Tora-Tora, entered service at this time.
The final portion, the supersonic era to the present day, begins with acquisition of the Northrop F-5A/B Freedom Fighters and the arrival of the famous UH-1H “Huey” helicopters and LTV F-8H Crusaders (the PAF thus became the second foreign operator of the aircraft, the French navy being the first). Rotary-wing acquisitions during this time included over a dozen Sikorsky S-76 gunships, although some were configured for search and rescue. The 1990s opened with the McDonnell Douglas “Defender” helicopter, SIAI S-211 trainer jets, and Rockwell OV-10 Broncos replacing the T-28s in the counterinsurgency role. The last four pages of the book list the serial numbers of all known PAF aircraft and the fate of those planes.
The late Alberto A. Anido, who served as a PAF Reserve officer, and Brian Austria-Tomkins of Anglo-Philippine Aviation, as well as other contributors, have produced a fine reference publication on PAF aircraft and airpower. I highly recommend it to civilian and military historians, scale modelers, aviation enthusiasts, students, and anyone interested in Philippine aviation.
LCDR Mark R. Condeno, PCGA
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines
www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/bookrev/condeno.html
50th Anniversary 1947-1997
by Alberto A. Anido and Brian Austria Tomkins
Soft Cover 8"X12", 71 pages.
www.geocities.com/afpmuseum/bkpaf.html
Review:
Document created: 8 July 05
Published: Air & Space Power Journal - Fall 2005
Pictorial History of the Philippine Air Force: 50th Anniversary, 1947–1997 by Alberto A. Anido and Brian Austria-Tomkins. AVA, P.O. Box 21104, Oxnard, California 93034, 1997, 71 pages, $20.95 (softcover).
Published on the 50th anniversary of the youngest service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Pictorial History of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is a fascinating photo-essay of the 54 aircraft and helicopter types that flew with that air force since its rebirth on 1 July 1947. Beginning with a foreword by Lt Gen William K. Hotchkiss III, the 24th commanding general of the PAF, the book inventories all of the service’s aircraft, both retired and active. The aircraft photographs, both color and black and white, appear chronologically, according to the date of the plane’s entry into service with the PAF. Additionally, two pages deal with aircraft insignias, unit markings, and nose art.
The first part of the book depicts the postwar days of the PAF (1945–50), beginning with the Douglas C-47, an aircraft that served well into the 1980s as both transport and bomber. The fighter force consisted of North American P-51D Mustangs, which saw action during the counterinsurgency campaign of the 1950s. Two other notable aircraft of this time were the Boeing Stearman and North American T-6 Texan, both used as trainers.
The second section covers the jet age, marked by the arrival in 1955 of the Lockheed T-33, utilized by the PAF in training and tactical reconnaissance. Following the Thunderbird two years later, the North American F-86F Sabre saw action not only in the Philippine skies but also in an overseas United Nations mission. The PAF flew the D model Sabre as well. Additionally, the T-28 Trojan, popularly known as the Tora-Tora, entered service at this time.
The final portion, the supersonic era to the present day, begins with acquisition of the Northrop F-5A/B Freedom Fighters and the arrival of the famous UH-1H “Huey” helicopters and LTV F-8H Crusaders (the PAF thus became the second foreign operator of the aircraft, the French navy being the first). Rotary-wing acquisitions during this time included over a dozen Sikorsky S-76 gunships, although some were configured for search and rescue. The 1990s opened with the McDonnell Douglas “Defender” helicopter, SIAI S-211 trainer jets, and Rockwell OV-10 Broncos replacing the T-28s in the counterinsurgency role. The last four pages of the book list the serial numbers of all known PAF aircraft and the fate of those planes.
The late Alberto A. Anido, who served as a PAF Reserve officer, and Brian Austria-Tomkins of Anglo-Philippine Aviation, as well as other contributors, have produced a fine reference publication on PAF aircraft and airpower. I highly recommend it to civilian and military historians, scale modelers, aviation enthusiasts, students, and anyone interested in Philippine aviation.
LCDR Mark R. Condeno, PCGA
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines
www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/bookrev/condeno.html