The nation of Israel has had a turbulent past, to say the least. Surrounded by hostile nations, it is only in the last decade or so that there has not been a highly charged military atmosphere in the region. Aside from the war of nation building, Israel has been involved in a few large scale, though short wars and several periods of years of active military retaliations against its neighbors. Through all this, it has been the aerial war that has been paramount in the success of Israel during these times. Without mastery of the air, it would not be possible for the army to fulfill its missions unmolested from the skies.

As the fortunes of politics come and go, the major supplier of military weapons shifted from France to the United States in the late 1960s. With that shift came the ability of Israel to acquire some rather potent US aircraft; notably the F-4 Phantom II and the A-4 Skyhawk. Though both of these aircraft were somewhat downgraded versions from what was used by the US, it took little time for the Israeli aircraft industry to make up for these omissions. The Skyhawk was particularly welcome as it was easy to maintain and carried a weapons load that their earlier attack jets could never match. As soon as A-4 units were ready they were put into use. Initially, the IAF contracted for new build airframes with some differences as the A-4H (basically an upgraded A-4E/F). However, such was the need that surplus A-4E aircraft were also accepted as they became available. The aircraft were so popular that another Israeli version, the A-4N was built, based on the USMC's A-4M. Many of these aircraft were modified with an extended exhaust to defend against SAM-7s. Even today, there are still Skyhawks in the skies of Israel with training and reserve units.

This book by Shlomo Aloni covers the initial search for a light attack aircraft, the use of the Skyhawk in the War of Attrition and then the Yom Kippur War. Then the ascendency of the A-4 as Israel's premier light attack craft and its inevitable reduction as other types take its place in front line units. All of this is superbly illustrated by photos of these planes in action and the usual excellent profile section that we have come to expect from Osprey.

Overall, it is a great book on a subject that seems maintain its popularity over the years. It is one I very much enjoyed reading and can easily recommend to you.

January 2010

For more on the complete line of Osprey books, visit www.ospreypublishing.com. In the US, it is Osprey Direct at 44-02 23rd St, Suite 219, Long Island City, NY 11101., where you can get a catalogue of available books.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.