MilitaryWinter2021

ALSO AVAILABLE 2021 NEW RELEASES 2 TOPGUN: The Legacy The Complete History of TOPGUN and Its Impact on Tactical Aviation Brad Elward A unique, detailed, and never-before-told 50-year history of the Navy Fighter Weapons School Author Brad Elward was granted unprecedented access to TOPGUN for the research and writing of this book Elward conducted 450 interviews with graduates, instructors, and commanding officers The history of air combat has seen one recurring theme— new tactics are learned in battle, forgotten or discarded when battle concludes, and relearned at great cost during the next war. This cycle continued into the 1960s, when America was drawn into the Vietnam War. Despite having a skill and equipment advantage, US Navy aircrews were faring poorly against North Vietnamese fighters. Air combat lessons learned during prior wars, and since forgotten or deemed inapplicable due to advances in technology, were once again relevant. TOPGUN, the Navy’s Fighter Weapons School, was established in 1968 to teach Navy aircrews the core air combat tactics, to train others in those tactics, and to ensure that naval aviation “never again” forgot its lessons learned. TOPGUN: The Legacy provides a unique, detailed, and never-before-told history of the Navy Fighter Weapons School. Based on over 450 interviews with graduates, instructors, and commanding officers, and thousands of pages of archival documents, this definitive study covers the early history of air combat tactical development, the school’s founding in 1968, and its progression throughout the decades to the present day. TOPGUN’s programs, significant events that shaped the school, and its unique culture have made it a center of excellence and the leading fighter weapons school worldwide. Brad Elward is a military aviation writer and a retired appellate attorney. He has written 14 books and dozens of articles for World Air Power Journal , Combat Aircraft , The Hook , and International Air Power Review . He was granted unprecedented access to TOPGUN for the research and writing of this book. Author Location: Washington, IL ISBN: 978-0-7643-6254-5 Size: 7" x 10" (177 x 254 mm) Pages: 704 Price: $49.99 US / £47.99 GBP / $72.00 CAD Illustrations: Over 95 color and b/w photos Binding: hardcover BISAC: HISTORY / Military / Aviation AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER SEE PAGE 48 FOR RELATED TITLES VULTURE’S ROW 978-0-7643-0047-9 256 pp. | 6" x 9" (152 x 228 mm) | HC | $30.00 US / £28.99 / $45.00 CAD TOPGUN 978-0-7643-6014-5 144 pp. | 9" x 9" x 3/4" (228 x 228 mm) | HC | $24.99 US / £23.99 / $36.99 CAD