Two releases from Osprey for May, the first is the US Marine Corps Fighter Squadrons of World War II, with the second book devoted to the Morane-Saulnier MS.406 Aces, of which only a dozen pilots managed to down German bombers during World War II.

US Marine Corps Fighter Squadrons of World War II
General Aviation
Author - Barrett Tillman
Hardback
May 2014
336 pages
ISBN - 9781782004103

About this book
The US Marine Corps has a long heritage of aviation excellence, celebrating its centennial in 2012. While ‘flying leathernecks’ made their mark in both world wars, Korea, Vietnam and throughout the global war on terrorism, in the public mind they are best known for their exploits in World War II. By far the best known Marine aviators are fighter pilots, namely Greg ‘Pappy’ Boyington, Marion Carl, Joe Foss, John L Smith, and many more, but the historic and organizational background often is lacking. For the first time aviation expert Barrett Tillman presents a book devoted exclusively to US Marine fighting squadrons in World War II.

Contents
Foreword Introduction: Forty-five Months of Combat Combat Squadrons: VMF-111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 121, 122, 123, 124, 155, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 251, 311, 312, 313, 314, 321, 322, 323, 351, 422, 441, 451, 452, 511, 512, 513, VMF(N)-531, 532, 533, 534, 541, 542, 543.
Biographies
Who Is the top Marine Ace?
The Aircraft Bibliography
Further Reading
Appendices

Morane-Saulnier MS.406 Aces
Aircraft of the Aces 121
Authors - Kari Stenman Christian-Jacques Ehrengardt
Illustrator - Chris Davey
Paperback
May 2014
96 pages
ISBN - 9781782003410

About this book
The MS.406 was an important aircraft not only because it was built in larger numbers than any other French fighter of the period, but also because it was the first modern fighter in the Armée de l’Air inventory. Although comparable to the British Hurricane and early models of the German Bf 109, it was outclassed when flown against the more powerful, and faster, Bf 109E. With little or no protection (no armour or self-sealing tanks), the MS.406 sustained heavy losses during the Battle of France. Too lightly armed, and fitted with unreliable weaponry, the French fighter struggled to down German bombers. It therefore comes as no surprise that only a dozen French pilots became fully fledged aces on the type during this period, despite the aircraft being present in significant numbers. However a score of pilots, who bagged their very first kills at the controls of the MS.406, fought on after the fall of France, flying Dewoitine D.520s, Spitfires and even Soviet Yak-3s to attain ace status against both Allied and Axis opponents.

Contents
Phoney War
Battle of France
Vichy Service
Winter War
Continuation War
APPENDICES - French Aces who made claims with the MS.406 - Finnish MS.406 Aces - Finnish Aces who made some claims with the MS.406 them - Colour Plates captions

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