Jagdgeschwader 53 ‘Pik-As’ Bf 109 Aces of 1940 (Aircraft of the Aces)

Chris Goss, Chris Davey (Illustrator)

$25.00

Publication Date: February 21st, 2017

Publisher:

Osprey Publishing

ISBN:

9781472818713

Pages:

Description

Boasting pilots who had been blooded in the Spanish Civil War, Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53) “Pik As” or “Ace of Spades” achieved great success in the skies over France and Britain in 1940. It was infamous among its opponents for the quality and caliber of its aces--men such as Werner Mölders, Hans-Karl Mayer, and Rolf Pingel. These aces won numerous Knight's Crosses for their exploits in 1940, credited with 258 victories, with 51 pilots being killed or captured. This study follows these pilots of JG 53 into battle, telling the stories of their victories, losses, and ultimate fate.

Containing thirty-six profile illustrations depicting the drastic change in appearance of their aircraft over time, and complemented by thorough research, this book is a welcome addition to Osprey's popular Aircraft of the Aces series.

About the Author

Chris Goss is a retired senior Royal Air Force officer. He has amassed a substantial collection of original wartime material and photographs as a result of interviews and extensive correspondence with veterans and their families. Chris has written more than fourteen books, including Bloody Biscay, Brothers in Arms, and The Luftwaffe's Blitz.

Chris Davey has illustrated more than 30 titles for Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces, Combat Aircraft, and Aviation Elite Units series. He is one of the last traditional airbrush artists in the business and is based in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, UK.