Aces of the Republic of China Air Force (Aircraft of the Aces, 126)

The most comprehensive and best illustrated, and most unbiased account of the history of the Chinese Air Force from the beginnings that includes an account of China's first fighter ace who fought against Germans in WWI (French foreign legion) to the end of China's long 8-year struggle in WWII where Chinese combat aviators, including finally, the much neglected accounts of the unsung heroes of the original American combat aviator volunteer group of Chinese-American pilots during the mid-late 1930s, years before the advent of the much more popularized AVG Flying Tigers, as well as some incredible details regarding the Soviet support of the Sino-Japanese war including the Soviet Volunteer Group of combat aviators at a time when American support waned, the build up to the tragically bloody surprise at Pearl Harbor was being scripted in Imperial Japan's bold advances against China.

You would be hard- pressed to find a better reference material with actual scale drawings and historical photographs as well as all of the exact details of what could be considered the Kuomintang's long- lost (at least outside of Taiwan) aerial combat history, a history that not only humanizes these hitherto faceless Chinese (and Chinese- American) heroes (as well as their allies & foes too, in many respects), but also honors their venerable contributions & sacrifices; Mr. Cheung's book would be a great read for anybody from a diehard researcher of early WWII history to any casual prop fighter plane fan looking to (literally and figuratively) expand his/her horizons! Thank you very much, Mr. Cheung, please keep writing!

As a student of the air war over China before and during WWII, this book offers detail on the Chinese Air Force and information to the various countries that supplied aircraft, equipment, and instruction to China. To date I have 39 books from Osprey Publishing in my library and most are well written with significant detail of text, pictures, and color plates of aircraft, supporting each book's theme. Though I have not made a study of individual Chinese pilots, the details on developing the early Chinese Air Force was very interesting to me.

This work could have benefited from more photographs to demonstrate the aircraft described in the text along with some maps to show where the action was taking place. Having traveled to China and learned what a large place it is, I can say that this is necessary for most folks not born in China. I learned quite a lot about the time and the military unit despite all these flaws.

Fascinating look into an era I didn't have a lot of info on. Diesel punk as hell too with it's mix of open cockpit mono planes and all metal bi-planes mixing it up. I'm a serious aviation geek but even I found keeping wikipedia open to look up all the obscure pre 1940 Japanese aircraft helpful!!! Well written, beautifully illustrated, and a fun read, though the Chinese pilot names were a bit of a slog.

The colorful history of the ROCs gallant aviators, the development of the ROCAF and their struggle against a modern Japanese Air Force. The book meticulously details air battles from the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression through World War II. It's a piece of history that is not widely known in the West but Raymond Cheung does an incredible job of retelling the story of China's 17 fighter aces. Extremely well researched, rare photographs, great artwork and a must read! You won't find a better resource in the States.

One of the most authoritative books on a long over-looked subject. The biographies of the aces and the type of aircraft flown are second-to-none. The book covers the Chinese Civil War, War Against Japanese Aggression, Second World War, Chinese Revolution and follow ups completely. It shows the determination and perseverance of the Chinese people standing up to an outside invader and how Nationalist China withstood several outside influences to protect the nation as best they could.

It is a surprise to see a graphic military book written on a little known subject to Western readers. This book provides unusual insights toward the desperate resistence of Chinese people against Japanese aggressors from the air in WWII. There are also some information about the air battles during the Chinese Civil War, soon after WWII.

This work is a fine tribute to the brave wartime exploits of the pilots of the Republic of China Airforce. Often outnumbered and flying a motley collection of, usually, obsolete aircraft they they fought valiantly against the Japanese invaders. Mr Cheung deserves praise for shining a much needed light on the aerial side of the Sino-Japanese War, a struggle too often neglected here in the west.

Everything OK

Outstanding. Waited years for this type of book to appear. Want to contact the author, any suggestion an help from any one?

good

Ich sammele diese Serie(n) und kann mich stundenlang von einem Buch zum anderen hangeln - sehr zum Leidwesen meiner Frau muß man mich nicht bespaßen. Mein "SchoolEnglishYouKnow" ist für die Bewältigung des Lesestoffes so ziemlich ausreichend und man lernt dabei, nur für manche Vokabeln muß man halt die "google" anwerfen. Die Wiedergabe der Fotos ist manchmal ein wenig lütt im Format, aber das ist der Größe der Bücher als "etwas größer als das iPad Air2" geschuldet. Wie gesagt, stundenlang ... und daher kann ich keine unvoreingenommene Rezension schreiben ...