FIGHTER COMMAND : AMERICAN FIGHTERS IN ORIGINAL WWII COLOR

Contrary to the impression left by most World War II books, the war was not fought in black and white. The planes, the people and the times were the most colorful in history.

In Fighter Command we are proud to recall this era with the greatest collection of World War II color photography ever assembled.

Fighter Command is the story of the American Fighter forces in action in the European and Mediterranean theaters, told through the vivid recollections of the pilots and ground personnel and brought to life by 200 glorious wartime color photographs. Thunderbolts, Lightnings and Mustangs, American-operated Spitfires, and captured Focke-Wulfs, Macchis and Messerschmitts-all the great fighters are here, dressed for battle in the cocky warpaint of the era. Here also are the pilots who flew them to victory, the ground crewmen who kept them flying, the Red Cross girls and USO entertainers that maintained the morale, and the beauty and tranquility of the Italian and English countryside amidst the madness of war.

But this is more than just a picture book. Packed with the real-life experiences of the American pilots- including famous aces such as Hub Zemke, Don Blakeslee and John C. Meyer-the German pilots they fought, and the ground personnel on the bases, Fighter Command relives the blood, sweat and glory of the fighter war for the skies over Europe and the Mediterranean.

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CONTENTS 

Introduction 

Chapters

1. So You Want to Be a Fighter Pilot ? 
2. Mud, Sand, and Sweat: North Africa and the MTO
3. Brother, It Was Rough in the ETO 
4. Overpaid, Oversexed and Over Here 
5. Ground Crews
6. Nose Art 
7. Long Range Escort 
8. Huns
9. On the Deck 
10. Photo Recon 
11. Ruptured Duck