MiG Alley: Sabres vs. MiG Over Korea

Flight Journal, Dec 2002 by DeGroat, Robert S

BOOKS OF NOTE

MiG Alley:

Sabres vs. MiGs Over Korea

by David R. McLaren and Warren E. Thompson. Specialty Press, 39966 Grand Ave., North Branch, MN 55056; www.secialtypress.com; 192 pages; illustrated; $39.95 (plus $4.95 S&H).

The term "MiG Alley" still evokes images of the significant air battles that took place during the "Forgotten War"Korea, and for the uninitiated, it was in the northwest comer of North Korea near the Chinese border. It's hard to believe that it happened 50 years ago. It was here that North American F-86 Sabres and MiG-ISs took center stage. But what was it really like?

The answer lies in the new book, "MiG Alley: Sabres vs. MiGs Over Korea," by David R. McLaren and Warren E. Thompson, who are both acknowledged experts on the Korean conflict. Their collaboration is most welcome, and the book includes some great color images from their vast photo collections.

Best of all, the authors have let the Sabre pilots and crews do the talking. Here you'll find firsthand accounts of encounters with MiGs and explanations of the tactics used against them. Coverage is also given to little-known Sabre fighter/bomber operations. A significant part of the book is the day-by-- day account of Sabre versus MiG confrontations, a detailed record of the disposition of each Sabre used in the conflict and details of Sabre losses and confirmed Sabre victories. There is also a fascinating section on the MiG.

This is an outstanding examination of one of the major events in aviation history. Well-written and complemented by great color photos, the result is the most comprehensive book on the F-86's use in Korea-a must-- read for enthusiasts and historians of that era.