I'd like to start off this review by stating that this is one of the more interesting books I've read in a long time. We in the US tend to think that everything that we did during WWII went perfectly and that there was unity and clear-sightedness amongst our leaders and our military. If this book is typical, then that is far from the truth. The events that are revealed in this book looks more like the blundering that we have come to expect from the German High Command than anything else.

It is a story of pettiness, lack of initiative, inability to learn from the findings of others, xenophobia of high ranking Army officers, and the near failure of the US strategic bombing campaign in Europe. Much of this was thanks to an ingrained inability of those in a position of power to believe that their concepts were wrong and that there may be a better way.  Thankfully for the Allies, cooler and more rational heads prevailed and within a few short months of a major policy change concerning the use of the P-51B in particular and drop tanks in general, the Luftwaffe was no longer in control of the skies over Europe. Believe me, it was close!

This is the story of the US Army Air Force and its many failed attempts to provide for a bomber escort fighter. It is the story of a long list of failed XP's (such as the XP-60 and XP-75 to name a few) and the eventual discovery that what they really needed had been produced for the British for many years. It was the stubborn efforts of one man, Brigadier General Oliver Echols, head of Air Materiel Command, and probably the most powerful main the the USAAC/F that nearly doomed the Mustang to a footnote. It is the story of the unwavering belief that bombers were the key aircraft in any war, fighters were unnecessary and only for prima donnas and playboys. It is the story of the drop tank. And it is the story of how the Mustang, after three years of being touted as only good enough for ground attack, was finally realized as the aircraft that was needed.

A fascinating story that will have you intrigued from first page to last.

As a bonus, there are several pages of color profiles and page after page of high quality photos, many of which this somewhat jaded reviewer has never seen. It is more than just the Mustang and a book that every serious student of WWII in the air should have.

Review book courtesy of , where you can order your copy of this and many other superb aviation and modeling books. (1-800-895-4585)

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