Want to learn more - what books and accurate films would you recommend?

ontheborderland · #1 09-23-2009, 04:28 AM

Just what the title says. I have some reference for mostly british planes, and have read some books (Fighter Boys, Bomber Boys, Fighter, and Geoffrey Wellum's book, the name of which excapes me...).

But playing BOP has propelled my interest from casual to extreme, so I want to absorb as much information as I can.

What would be the best books to pick up to learn more about the following subjects:

• Dogfighting in general (tactics / anecdotes etc. preferably from WWI - WWII)

• Specific planes from both Axis and Allied sides. I'm interested in them all now!

• Specific aerial conflicts (I have a few on the Battle of Britain but any suggestions would be great)

Also, what films would you guys recommend for the accurate portrayal of dogfighting / bombing etc.?

Cheers!

Soviet Ace · #2 09-23-2009, 04:39 AM

*Cracks knuckles* Ok, lets get to this.

Books

Yakovlev's Piston Engined Fighters

Lavochkin's Piston Engined Fighters

Polikarpov I-16 Fighter

Polikarpov Biplane Fighters

Mikoyan's Piston Engined Fighters

Osprey Publishing should assist with many more WW2 fighters.

Movies I'll have to think about more.

Raw Kryptonite · #3 09-23-2009, 04:55 AM

Dogfights is worth owning, it's a History Channel series, 2 seasons. Can be had fairly cheap. Must see tv on permanent rotation at my house.
Battle 360 is worth owning too, but we don't get naval battles here. You'd like it if you play Battlestations.

Watch Battle of Britain to get pumped up to play, but it's strictly a movie.

John192 · #4 09-23-2009, 07:56 AM

Books i have read and would highly recomend are:

“Fighter Combat – Tactics and Maneuvering” by Robert L. Shaw, 1988
and
“In Pursuit: A Pilot's Guide to Online Air Combat” by Johan Kylander, 2006
both of which i have in PDF format and can email you, just PM me with your email address.

other books i have been told about but never read are:

“Check Six: A Virtual Pilot's Guide” by J. Steve Thompson, 2004
“Fighter Tactics and Strategy 1914-1970” by Edward H. Sims, 1972
“The Ace Factor: Air Combat and the Role of Situational Awareness” by Mike Spick,
1988
and
“Fighter Pilot Tactics: The Techniques of Daylight Air Combat” by Mike Spick, 1983

as for programs or films i dont realy watch that much tv (i am normaly playing games) so couldnt recomend any

Rhah · #5 09-23-2009, 09:04 AM

Iron Eagle 3 (or is it 4?)... When the British, American, Japanese and German WW2 Veteran pilots team up to take on some evil 3rd world dictator.... at first, nobody trusts the Japanese pilot, but he soon proves them wrong!

In all seriousness though, "The Big Show" by French RAF pilot (Spit's and Tempest's) Pierre Clostermann is pretty good.

Von Heydte · #6 09-23-2009, 02:07 PM

The movie "Battle of Britain" is excellent as I just watched it a few days ago and it has some great dogfight scenes. Robert Shaw's book "Fighter Combat" is the best book on the topic that I have found. The "In Pursuit" pdf is pretty damn good too.

Trey

John192 · #7 09-23-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Von Heydte

Robert Shaw's book "Fighter Combat" is the best book on the topic that I have found. The "In Pursuit" pdf is pretty damn good too.

Trey

yeah the only complaint about Robert Shaws book is that it is a bit heavy and not rearly for novices, still a very good book though