VF-11/111 'Sundowners' 1942-95

Description

Fighting Squadron 11 was established at San Diego in August 1943, beginning a half-century record that spanned aerial combat in three wars from the piston to the jet age. The squadron produced seven aces while fighting in World War 2, Korea and Vietnam. From World War 2 until after the Cold War, the 'Sundowners' established an unexcelled record 'at the tip of the spear' in naval aviation history. The author, Barrett Tillman, is the world's most prolific US naval aviation author and he has published over two-dozen titles on the World War 2 period alone.

Barrett Tillman is a professional author and speaker (History Channel's Dogfights series) who has received five awards for history and literature. He learned to fly at age 16 in 1965, and has logged more than 500 hours in historic and current naval aircraft. His longtime affiliation with VF-11/111 pilots led to his being designated an honorary 'Sundowner' - a status he enjoys with two other Navy squadrons. Among his more than 40 books, Tillman has written six other titles in Osprey's Aces and Combat Aircraft series, and is currently researching a massive World War 2 history volume as well developing a new fiction series. He lives with his wife in Arizona. Tom has illustrated a number of books in both the Aces and Combat Aircraft series. He was the first artist to produce material for Osprey Aviation electronically. Tom's most recent work can be found in Aces 26 and Combat Aircraft 16 and 20

"This latest effort packs a lot of information into a relatively small space... Although the squadron has seen its last sunset, its rich and glorious history is preserved in this fine book." --CDR Peter Mersky, The Hook (Summer 2010)