Osprey Aviation Elite Units SC (2000-2007 OSPREY) comic books 2001-2003
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Issue #3-1ST
$15.00
Volume 3 - 1st printing. "No 91 'Nigeria' Squadron!" Written by Peter Hall. Art by Chris Davey. From its humble beginnings as a reconnaissance flight, using second-hand aircraft at the very end of the Battle of Britain, No 91 'Nigeria' Squadron went on to become one of the most famous units in RAF Fighter Command. It achieved outstanding results using new low-level interception tactics along the south coast of England, employing the very latest marks of Spitfire. Indeed, it was one of the few fighter units to be Spitfire-equipped throughout World War 2. Manned by a multifarious band of pilots from across the globe, No 91 'Nigeria' Sqn also produced its fair share of aces. Softcover, 128 Pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $25.95.
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Issue #7-1ST
$15.00
$15.00
Volume 7 - 1st printing. "354th Fighter Group!" Written by William N Hess. Art by Chris Davey. I think the success of the 354th as the leading group in the European theatre for aerial victories is due to several things. First was the initial training of the squadrons before deployment to England. Colonel Ken Martin nurtured the group from its infancy, and all the excellence that later showed through could be placed at his doorstep. Despite his youth, he knew how to foster teamwork and demand perfection in flying. There was nothing more important than getting the group off on the right foot. Second, our pilots were taught to fly mutual support, and practised it faithfully. There were no hot pilots in the 354th, only excellent pilots. Third, men like Glenn Eagleston gave advice and warnings about combat tactics and guarding one's tail. This prepared our pilots for lurking dangers, something the other groups may not have done.' Brigadier General James Howard, Commanding Officer of the 354th Fighter Group. Softcover, 128 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $25.95.
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Issue #8-1ST
$15.00
Volume 8 - 1st printing. "352nd Fighter Group!" Written by Tom Ivie. Art by Tom Tullis. Nicknamed the ?Bluenosed Bastards of Bodney' due to the garish all-blue noses of their P-51s, the 352nd FG was one of the most successful fighter groups in the Eighth Air Force. Credited with destroying almost 800 enemy aircraft between 1943 and 1945, the 352nd finished fourth in the ranking of all groups within VIII Fighter Command. Initially equipped with P-47s, the group transitioned to P-51s in the spring of 1944, and it was with the Mustang that its pilots enjoyed their greatest success. Numerous first-hand accounts, 55 newly commissioned artworks and 140+ photos complete this concise history of the ?Bluenosers'. Softcover, 128 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $25.95.
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Issue #9-1ST
$7.50
$7.50
Volume 9 - 1st printing. "No 43 ?Fighting Cocks' Squadron!" Written by Andy Saunders. Art by Chris Davey. Known as the 'Fighting Cocks', No 43 Sqn has been a part of the RAF since 1916, and is still in service today. This volume deals exclusively with the unit's exploits during WW2, covering its service during the evacuation of Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain, as well as the years spent supporting the Allied cause in North Africa and the Mediterranean. Flying Hurricanes from November 1939, and re-equipped with Spitfires in early 1943, 'Fighting Cocks' pilots scored 159 kills during the war and over a dozen of them 'made ace'. This book presents a full picture of the squadron, its men and its aircraft. Softcover, 128 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $25.95.
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Issue #10-1ST
$15.00
Volume 10 - 1st printing. "359th Fighter Group!" Written by Jack H Smith. Art by Tom Tullis. Nicknamed the 'Unicorns', the 359th FG was one of the last groups to arrive in the UK for service in the ETO with the Eighth Air Force. First seeing action on 13 December 1943, the group initially flew bomber escort sweeps in P-47s, before converting to the ubiquitous P-51 in March/April 1944. Throughout its time in the ETO, the 359th was credited with the destruction of 351 enemy aircraft destroyed between December 1943 and May 1945. The exploits of all 12 aces created by the group are detailed, along with the most significant missions flown. This book also discusses the various markings worn by the group's three squadrons, the 368th, 369th and 370th FSs. Softcover, 128 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $25.95.
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Issue #11-1ST
$15.00
Volume 11 - 1st printing. "303rd Bombardment Group!" Written by Brian D O'Neill. Art by Mark Styling. The first title in the Elite Units series to deal with an American bombardment group, this title focuses on the 303rd BG, dubbed the 'Hells Angels.' One of the very first B-17 units assigned to the newly created Eighth Air Force in England in September 1942, the 303rd was in the vanguard of the daylight bombing campaign through to VE-Day. Awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation in January 1944, the 303rd also had two of its aircrewmen presented with the Medal of Honor, Americas ultimate military decoration. Brian O Neill brings the group's colourful combat history to life with a mix of first-hand accounts, raw statistics and concise mission narrative. Softcover, 128 pages, PC/PB&W Cover price $25.95.
