posted on 2 years ago — updated on 2 years ago

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Adie Roberts gets to take a look at another of the Middle East @ War books volume 2 of the 75 years of the Israeli Air Force, the IDF is one of his favourite subjects so let’s see what he makes of the last half Century see what has been improved and what has stayed the same.

Brief History

The History of the Israel Air Force begins in May 1948, shortly after the formation of the State of Israel. Following Israel's declaration of independence on May 14, its pre-state national institutions transformed into the agencies of a state, and on May 26, 1948, the Israeli AirForce was formed. Beginning with a small collection of light aircraft, the force soon transformed into a comprehensive fighting force. It has since participated in several wars and numerous engagements, becoming what has been described as "The mightiest air force in the Middle East".

Contents

Acronyms and Abbreviations

Preface

1 Rapid Evolution

2 Lebanon Quagmire

3 Growing Complexities

4 21st Century Challenges

Bibliography

Notes

This offering from Casemate publishing is a softback book with some nice artwork on the front cover, the main photograph shows F-15D, serial number 957 “Sky blazer” of 106 squadrons, displays that units common tail insignia and blaze markings inside vertical tails. Also seen is the stencilled improved Baz (Falcon) marking on the outboard surface of the tail indicating the aircraft upgrade and appearing from 2000. Just below this is Kfir C-2 serial number 909, from 149 squadrons as seen around 1987. On the back, page is the CH-53 helicopter and a more modern drone.

Author: William J Norton is retired from a flight test engineering career that span 40 years, including 20 years as a US Air force officer. This included serving as aircrew aboard test aircraft. He has held numerous positions in many organisations on dozens of aerospace programs spanning all aircraft types. He has penned scores of technical papers, seventeen books, and a multitude of magazine articles. Bill holds a masters in aeronautical engineering and has taught technical courses at the college level. In addition, he is a civil pilot with numerous ratings, restored and operates a DHC-1 Chipmunk and built a Rutan Long EZ (taken from the book)

Review

After numerous engagements, ceasefires, Israeli spirits were finally lifted by the July 1976 raid in Entebbe, Uganda, to rescue Israeli and Jewish hijack victims being held by terrorists. The lightning strike, the soldiers flew onboard an Israeli Air Force (IAF) Hercules transport plane, captured the imagination of the world and brought newfound confidence in the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) back home.

The phantom force was expanded with 24 used and 24 new F-4Es, plus six more RF-4Es. This permitted the Sa’ars to be retired. All the Phantoms eventually got the aerial refuelling probe (AR) developed before the war.

After a few more years the Phantom teams concentrated on precision strike with Precision Guided Munitions (PGM) added to the already formidable payload of the F-4E’s was the large standard Anti-Radiation Missile (ARM), augmenting the Shrikes. The television-guided Mavericks and HOBOS were joined by the GBU-15 glide bomb that also had an imaging-IR seeker for the night and limited inclement weather operations. Fielded as well as a locally produced variant of the walleye: the Rafael Tadmit electro-optical (EO) glide bomb two pairs of Flare/Chaff dispensers also became standard on Israeli F-4s. If the mission is required, these could be augmented with a long container mounted in a Sparrow cavity with multiple flare/chaff dispensers. Jamming pods were updated for new threats and advanced models were procured.

This book continues in such a way that it keeps you wanting more the sheer scale in the limited historical time scale the amount of different aircraft and helicopters is quite phenomenal, helicopters such as the super Felon which was upgraded rather than buy new with things like the American T-58 turboshaft. This was due to difficulty in obtaining spare parts for the original powerplant. Other helicopters included the Bell 205 Huey which was superseded by the twin-engine 212 further acquired helicopters included the CH-53s and UH-60s fitted with aerial refuelling probes for the newly acquired KC-130 in 1976 77. In 1994 the Black Hawk assault helicopters AH-64’s.

The amount of different fixed-winged aircraft is mindboggling and really was amazing the amount in such a short time period. Some of the aircraft like the Phantoms are a personal favourite of mine and was an all-around fantastic aircraft that I wished were still flying. The mighty eagle followedF15 Eagle and the F-16 Falcon. These are just a few of what you will learn about with this fantastic release from Casemate publishing.

The book continues in the same fashion as a lot of the picture heavy reference books with some fantastic colour profile pictures most of these done by artist Tom Cooper. A whole section on the different squadrons with their Israeli aircraft names and some more artwork of the different squadrons insignias. As you work your way through the book and pictures you start to realise just how far forward for a small country Israel has come with the use of drones and the next generation F-35’s modern jet from America.

Conclusion

This offering from Casemate publishing really is quite fascinating being someone who loves the whole Israeli DefenceForce IDF I found many interesting facts about the IAF and general facts about the aircraft. For anyone that has an interest in the Israeli Airforce or some of the aircraft that they, like the F-4 Phantom or the F-15 Eagle and many others a lot more than I first thought then this title is for you. It is well written easy to follow and full of some fantastic pictures, which virtually every picture has either a caption and information or at least the name of the aircraft/helicopter with name and unit. The colour plates showing the camouflage and profile is very good, there are maps of different regions where the conflicts took place